Borderlands 4 Showcases Key Features at PAX East

The PAX East 2025 panel offered a detailed look at Borderlands 4's overhauls to loot and co-op. Discover the reasoning behind these system changes and the decision to remove the mini-map.

Borderlands 4's PAX East Panel Insights

Loot and Co-Op System Enhancements

At PAX East 2025 on May 10, Gearbox Software unveiled major upgrades for Borderlands 4 (BL4), focusing on loot and cooperative play. CEO Randy Pitchford and his team detailed the refinements to these core systems.

Building on feedback from Borderlands 3 (BL3), the developers have streamlined the co-op experience. Players can now join and leave sessions seamlessly without needing to reach specific story checkpoints.

Given the game's expansive world, a quick fast-travel feature lets you instantly rejoin friends. BL4 retains a level-scaling system, allowing players of any level to join any lobby while maintaining balanced gameplay. Loot is also instanced, meaning each player discovers their own unique rewards.

The loot system has been refined to reduce complexity. While the overall quantity of legendary items is lower, each one is designed to feel more impactful and unique.

Not all drops are random. Key enemies and mini-bosses now guarantee specific rewards, making victories more meaningful. The new "Moxxi's Big Encore" feature allows you to replay missions and bosses directly, eliminating the need to reload saves for farming.

Why Borderlands 4 Has No Mini-Map

A highlight of the PAX East panel was the explanation for removing the mini-map. With BL4's vast world, Pitchford emphasized that the team wants players to engage with the environment, not a small map.

As Pitchford explained, "We built a massive world. While some action is local, your objectives and opportunities are often miles apart. A local mini-map isn't the best tool for that kind of navigation—a compass system is far more effective."

The goal is for players to "play the game, not the map." The new compass is designed to guide exploration intuitively through the sprawling landscapes. "Experience the game first. When you see the scale of this world, you'll understand why playing within it is better than playing a map," he added.

Gearbox is confident as development nears completion. Following the successful Borderlands 4 State of Play and the announced earlier release date, the studio plans more showcases at events like Fan Fest, Bilibili World, and Gamescom.

Borderlands 4 launches on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates, explore our related article below.