Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Borderlands 4, Gearbox’s latest looter shooter, launched on September 12, 2025, and quickly attracted over 2.5 million players across Steam and console platforms. The game generated more than $150 million in revenue during its initial week, placing it among the year’s leading AAA releases. According to to a report by Alinea Analytics, on Steam the title sold more than 1.3 million copies, bringing in around $80 million, while console sales exceeded one million copies, with the PlayStation version slightly outperforming Xbox. The Switch 2 version is set to launch next month, potentially increasing total sales further.

Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Revenue and Development Costs

Estimates indicate that Borderlands 4’s development budget is likely around $200 million, more than double the $95 million budget of Borderlands 3. This calculation is based on comments from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and previous reporting on the franchise. With $150 million in early revenue, the game is approximately 60–65% of the way toward covering development costs. Despite early performance issues on some platforms, these figures indicate strong financial performance for the new installment.

Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Geographic Distribution of Players

Analysis of player data shows that Borderlands 4 initially performs strongest in mature gaming markets. More than half of Steam players are based in the United States, with China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada rounding out the top five. On the PlayStation 5, the top five markets are entirely Western, led again by the U.S., followed by smaller shares in the UK, Germany, France, and Canada. As discounts and promotions become available, player shares in emerging markets are expected to increase, reflecting trends seen with previous releases such as Borderlands 3.

Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Player Engagement with Previous Titles

Many Borderlands 4 players have experience with previous entries in the franchise. On Steam, 59% of players have played Borderlands 2, 51% have played Borderlands 3, and 22% have played Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. On PlayStation, these shares are higher due to PlayStation Plus inclusions, with 81% having played Borderlands 3, 64% having played the Handsome Collection, and 50% having played Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Early adopters also engage with other notable 2025 releases. On Steam, 19% have played Elden Ring Nightreign, 13% have played Expedition 33, and over 30% have played Monster Hunter Wilds, reflecting a broader engagement with popular games of the year.

Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Technical Performance and Reception

Borderlands 4 has been noted for refining the franchise’s core gameplay, including gunplay, loot systems, and endgame mechanics. While the game performs well on high-end systems, performance issues, bugs, and other technical limitations have affected some players, particularly on PC. Gearbox is releasing updates to address these issues, but CEO Randy Pitchford’s defensive comments on social media have contributed to mixed reactions. Steam reviews currently show a 64% positive rating, highlighting the impact of technical concerns. Despite this, many players are dedicating significant time to the game, with over one million users logging more than 20 hours within the first week.

Borderlands 4 Makes $150M in Revenue

Future Outlook and Market Trends

Borderlands 4 is positioned for continued growth as the Switch 2 release arrives and discounts become available in emerging markets. The strong performance in mature markets, coupled with high engagement from players familiar with previous titles, suggests that the game will maintain steady sales. While initial technical issues may influence early reception, improvements and updates are expected to stabilize the player experience. The release also demonstrates that even in periods of economic uncertainty, players remain willing to invest in new AAA games.

Source: Alinea Analytics

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What platforms is Borderlands 4 available on?

Borderlands 4 is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and will launch on the Switch 2 next month. Sales performance varies by platform, with PlayStation slightly leading console sales so far.

How many players does Borderlands 4 have?

Within its first week, Borderlands 4 reached over 2.5 million players across all platforms. On Steam alone, the game sold more than 1.3 million copies. Early engagement data also shows that over one million players have logged more than 20 hours of gameplay.

What is the revenue of Borderlands 4?

Borderlands 4 generated over $150 million in revenue during its first week. This figure includes sales across Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and other digital stores, making it one of the most financially successful AAA game launches of 2025.

Which countries have the most Borderlands 4 players?

Early adoption is concentrated in mature markets. On Steam, the largest player base is in the United States, followed by China, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada. PlayStation 5 data shows a similar trend, with the U.S. dominating early sales. Emerging markets are expected to see higher player shares over time as discounts become available.

Has Borderlands 4 had technical issues?

Yes, some players have reported performance issues, bugs, and other technical limitations, particularly on PC. Gearbox has released and continues to release updates to address these concerns. Despite these issues, many players are engaging extensively with the game.

How does Borderlands 4 compare to previous games in the franchise?

Borderlands 4 builds on the franchise’s core gameplay mechanics, including gunplay, loot systems, and replayable endgame content. Many early adopters of Borderlands 4 have played previous entries such as Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3, and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands.

What is the development budget for Borderlands 4?

Based on public statements from Gearbox and prior franchise budgets, Borderlands 4 is estimated to have a development budget of around $200 million, more than double the budget of Borderlands 3.

Will Borderlands 4 see growth in emerging markets?

Yes. Historical trends from Borderlands 3 indicate that mature markets dominate early sales, while emerging markets like Brazil and Russia grow as discounts and promotional events are introduced.

How long do players typically spend in Borderlands 4?

Early data shows that over one million players have logged more than 20 hours within the first week of release. This suggests strong engagement and replayability in the game’s early content and endgame activities.

Is Borderlands 4 suitable for players new to the franchise?

Yes, although familiarity with previous Borderlands titles may enhance the experience, new players can engage with Borderlands 4’s core gameplay, story, and mechanics without prior knowledge. Early adoption data indicates that a significant portion of players are returning fans, but new players are also part of the player base.