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When Gearbox Software unveiled the first look at the highly anticipatedBorderlands 4at The Game Awards last month, fans were immediately struck by the sheer scale of its world. The latest entry in the beloved looter-shooter franchise looks more expansive and ambitious than anything we’ve seen from the series before.
But there’s one term that Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford is deliberately avoiding when discussing the game’s sprawling environments. Despite what many might assume from the footage shown, he’s hesitant to slap the “open-world” label onBorderlands 4—and his reasoning might surprise you.
In fact, Pitchford’s careful choice of words raises some interesting questions about what we mean when we talk about open-world games, and whether that term might be doing more harm than good to player expectations.
What makesBorderlands 4different from other “open-world” games
In a recent interview withGameSpot, Pitchford explained why he’s avoiding the open-world label, despiteBorderlands 4featuring seamless exploration and massive environments:
I wouldn’t say ‘open world’ because that will come with baggage. That isn’t what we are. But it is seamless, and it is expansive, and it is larger than anything we’ve ever done, and it is filled like nothing we’ve ever done.
This isn’t just semantic nitpicking. The distinction Pitchford is making gets to the heart ofwhat Gearbox is trying to achieve withBorderlands 4.
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Unlike many modern open-world games that rely on procedural generation to fill their vast spaces, every inch ofBorderlands 4′s world has been designed with purpose:
We care so deeply about combat dynamics and care so deeply about that moment-to-moment feeling. We craft this [world]. Everything that unfolds has [purpose]. you may feel the heart of the designer behind it.
The emphasis on handcrafted content over algorithmic filler represents a bold stance in an era where many games aretrending toward ever-larger, procedurally generated worlds.
A new approach to world design in the shooter-looter genre
This philosophy extends beyond just the world design. While previousBorderlandsgames were “more compartmentalized” due to their multi-planet settings,Borderlands 4takes a different approach. Players will be able to seamlessly explore vast distances without encountering a single loading screen.
The game’s setting, the dangerous planet Kairos, promises to be the most intricate and detailed environmentGearboxhas ever created. Under the iron rule of the mysterious Timekeeper, this world will, apparently, feel alive in ways that previousBorderlandssettings never quite achieved.
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But perhaps most importantly, this new approach to world design isn’t just about making things bigger. It’s about creating a more cohesive, immersive experience that serves the game’s core gameplay loop.
As Pitchford puts it:
You can tell, people that care a lot made this s**t. They’re putting this here for [the player]. This isn’t all just a systemic, algorithmically filled world.
This dedication to handcrafted content suggests that whileBorderlands 4might be bigger than its predecessors, it won’t fall into the common open-world trap of being a mile wide but an inch deep. While the true depth of Kairos remains to be seen, Gearbox’s emphasis on handcrafted content suggests they’re aiming for quality over quantity—a refreshing stance in an era where many games equate bigger worlds with better experiences.
What do you think this approach to world design inBorderlands 4? Are you excited about the prospect of a more seamless, handcrafted world, or do you prefer the more compartmentalized design of previous games? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Soumyajit Mukherjee
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :966
Soumyajit Mukherjee is a Gaming Writer at FandomWire, known for his deep dives into tactical shooters and co-op games. Since joining in June 2024, he’s focused on breakout multiplayer titles like Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, bringing sharp analysis and veteran instincts to every story. His gaming journey began at a local café with the OG Modern Warfare 2, and from that very first frag, he’s been chasing the rush ever since.A former competitive Rainbow Six Siege team captain, Soumyajit has played and written about everything from CS:GO, Valorant, Overwatch, and Apex Legends to Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Battlefield. He’s proudly PC-first and has been since said LAN days… but with GTA 6 looming on the horizon, a long-overdue PS5 might finally sneak onto his setup.
