Randy Pitchford Denies Borderlands 4 Early Launch Is Due to GTA VI Timing

Gearbox Software surprised fans recently by announcing that Borderlands 4 will launch on September 12th, nearly two weeks earlier than its previously scheduled September 23rd release date. While this earlier launch was met with enthusiasm, it also sparked speculation that the move was strategically made to avoid getting overshadowed by the release of Grand Theft Auto VI. However, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford insists that’s not the case.

In a direct response on X (formerly Twitter), Pitchford wrote:

“Borderlands 4 shipping early is 100% the result of confidence in the game and development trajectory backed by actual tasks and bug find/fix rates. Our decision is literally 0% about any other product's actual or theoretical launch date.”

While Pitchford never explicitly names Grand Theft Auto VI, the context of “any other product” makes it clear that the upcoming Rockstar blockbuster is the implied reference. Given the seismic anticipation for GTA VI, now confirmed for a 2025 launch, many studios have already begun shifting schedules to avoid going head-to-head with what’s expected to be one of the largest launches in gaming history.

This isn’t just about optics—Take-Two Interactive, which owns both Rockstar Games and Gearbox Software, is the common parent company behind both franchises. This led to speculation that Take-Two may have encouraged or requested the date shift to ensure a clean promotional window for both titles, maximizing sales and media focus.

Still, Pitchford maintains that the early launch of Borderlands 4 was purely an internal decision driven by a well-paced development timeline. If true, this would reflect strong confidence in the state of the game and the progress the team has made in QA and bug fixing. Whether or not Take-Two executives had discussions around the broader portfolio timing, Pitchford is adamant that Borderlands 4 stands on its own.

The timing may be coincidental—or strategic—but either way, fans now get to enjoy Borderlands 4 sooner than expected. And if it helps the title secure a larger share of media attention before GTA VI’s launch sucks all the oxygen out of the room, then it’s a win-win scenario.

Do you think studios should plan their launch dates around giants like GTA VI, or should they stand their ground? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.