Borderlands titles have experienced a wave of negative reviews after Take-Two Interactive modified its End User License Agreement (EULA). Here's what sparked player outrage and its potential impact on the franchise.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Show "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative" Ratings

Controversial Terms of Service Updates

Players have flooded Borderlands games with negative Steam reviews after discovering alterations to Take-Two's EULA. Reddit user Noob4Head first highlighted this on May 18, with Borderlands 1, 2, and 3 all receiving review bombs.

Take-Two's terms of service website shows the policy was last updated on February 28. The controversy gained momentum as gaming communities and content creators labeled the new anti-cheat measures as invasive "spyware."

Players allege the revised EULA grants system-level access under anti-cheat pretense, potentially collecting sensitive data including passwords and contact information. While these remain unconfirmed claims, Take-Two hasn't addressed the growing backlash.

The anti-cheat implementation raises additional concerns since Borderlands' thriving modding community contributes significantly to its longevity. These changes might inadvertently affect fan-made content creators. It remains uncertain whether these modifications prepare for Borderlands 4's release or represent overreach.

Are Players Overreacting?

While many players view the changes as privacy violations, others defend Take-Two's position. Reddit user Librask noted: "The current EULA barely differs from the 2018 version." The publisher's general terms of service mean not every clause directly impacts Borderlands.

The document clarifies Take-Two's rights as product owner to update its EULA, leaving users the choice to accept or discontinue service.

System-level access isn't unprecedented in multiplayer games like League of Legends or Valorant. However, Borderlands' primarily PvE focus makes this implementation puzzling. With Borderlands 4 still in development, the necessity of these measures remains unclear.

As controversy continues, Take-Two's response - or lack thereof - will shape the franchise's future. Meanwhile, development continues for the next mainline entry.

Borderlands 4 launches September 12, 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Follow our coverage for the latest updates on this anticipated release.