Borderlands Boss Says Gaming Hasn’t Even Produced a Single Masterpiece Yet: ‘We’re Just Figuring This Out’
In a recent interview with Shacknews, Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford shared his thoughts on the challenges of modern game development and the evolution of the gaming industry. During the 73-minute discussion, which focused largely on the making of Borderlands 4 (released September 12), Pitchford made a bold statement that is already sparking debate among fans and developers alike: according to him, video games have not yet produced their first true “masterpiece.”
Toward the end of the interview, Pitchford reflected on the immense resources and commitment required to create large-scale games like Borderlands 4.
“To make a game like Borderlands 4 takes a big investment. It’s a massive, massive game. Hundreds and hundreds of people for years. And that’s very expensive. The budgets of our big video games now are larger than the budgets of blockbuster movies,” Pitchford explained. “You can’t easily make that decision to commit those kinds of resources unless everyone involved believes that what is being created has more value to exist in the world than what it takes to make it.”
He went on to describe how such creative belief must be shared among every contributor, from executives to developers, before noting that the gaming industry as a whole is still finding its footing creatively.
“I love that I’m in it, and I love that we’re just getting started. When I say we, I’m talking about the entire industry. Like, we haven’t even had our Citizen Kane yet, let alone Jurassic Park or Star Wars. We’re just figuring this out. But it’s fun.”
Pitchford’s reference to Citizen Kane, the 1941 film directed by Orson Welles, invokes one of cinema’s most significant milestones, often cited as the medium’s first “true masterpiece.” By comparison, Pitchford suggests that gaming, despite decades of innovation, has yet to produce an equivalent cultural or artistic moment.
Pitchford’s comments have ignited discussion across the gaming community, with many players arguing that the industry has long surpassed such a milestone. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, Half-Life 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 are often cited as transformative works that have influenced not only the medium itself but also popular culture at large.
Others, however, interpret Pitchford’s statement as a broader reflection on how the industry continues to evolve. While gaming has produced numerous critically acclaimed titles, its potential for creative and emotional storytelling may still be developing compared to the century-long legacy of cinema.
Pitchford’s perspective highlights an ongoing discussion within the industry: what defines a “masterpiece” in gaming? Unlike film, games combine interactivity, technology, and storytelling in unique ways that are still being explored. As budgets grow and creative ambition expands, developers are continually pushing the boundaries of what games can express, often at costs that rival or exceed those of major Hollywood productions.
Whether or not gaming has already achieved its Citizen Kane moment may depend on how one defines artistic mastery. But as Pitchford noted, the journey toward that recognition is part of what makes working in the medium so exciting.
Do you agree with Randy Pitchford that gaming has yet to create its first true masterpiece, or do you think it already has? Share your thoughts below.
