With the main Borderlands team seemingly working on Tales from the Borderlands, and this game being set to release in the same year as Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, fans of the franchise are getting a ton of content to enjoy. While this is great news for gamers, it means that Gearbox is incredibly busy, and the release of two projects so close together suggests that Borderlands 4 is a fair bit away.
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Borderlands 4 May Be Years Away, But That is Okay
If the new Tales from the Borderlands game was being made by Telltale, it could safely be assumed that Borderlands 4 is not too far off. However, the fact that Gearbox has been hard at work on two Borderlands spin-offs suggests that a mainline entry is not a priority at the moment. While the next major game could be in pre-production, with Gearbox planning out where it wants to take the game, it is hard to imagine Borderlands 4 coming in 2023 or 2024 since fans are getting two games this year.
While this is obviously speculation, it is a genuine possibility. Though it may disappoint some gamers that Borderlands 4 is not right around the corner, a substantial gap between the third and fourth major game is not unheard of. After all, there was a seven-year gap between Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, with the former releasing in 2012 and the latter dropping in 2019. As such, a 2025-2026 window seems reasonable for Borderlands 4.
Gearbox also deserves recognition for how it is keeping the series alive during this gap. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands just released, and despite some technical issues with the game and major server problems on release, many fans love the story and gameplay of the spin-off. Likewise, Tales from the Borderlands fans have requested a sequel for years, and now they are finally getting their wish. Dropping this game before Borderlands 4 is a wise idea, too, as Gearbox can set up plot threads or establish new characters that could feature in Borderlands 4.
Fans of the Borderlands franchise might also get content in the lead-up to Borderlands 4 beyond Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and Tales from the Borderlands. Another spin-off is always possible, as is a second Season Pass for Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands that would see it follow in the footsteps of Borderlands 3. A new DLC for Borderlands 3 could release just like Borderlands 2’s Commander Lilith expansion, tying up loose ends and teasing the plot for Borderlands 4. At the very least, the Borderlands movie is on the way, which will bring the series to a new audience.
Gamers expecting Borderlands 4 in 2023 should lower their expectations. While anything is possible, games take a long time to make, and Gearbox has been hard at work on 2022’s two Borderlands spin-offs. It seems unrealistic for Borderlands 4 to come anytime soon, but that is hardly a bad thing. In the time between games, fans are seeing content they have always wanted, like a new Bunkers and Badasses campaign and a fresh Tales from the Borderlands experience. Further, when Borderlands 4 finally arrives, fans will have had years to get excited about it, with Gearbox also having the time it needs to ensure it is a big step forward for the franchise.
A new Tales from the Borderlands game is scheduled to release in 2022.
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