The beloved Borderlands series is facing a wave of negative reviews following recent changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. Dive in to discover how players have reacted and what this means for the future of the franchise.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
The Borderlands franchise, including titles like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, has encountered a surge of negative reviews on Steam. This backlash stems from recent modifications to Take-Two Interactive's EULA, first noticed by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18. The updated terms, which were last revised on February 28, have sparked widespread discussion and criticism among fans and content creators, particularly due to the addition of what some are calling "spyware" in the form of anti-cheat software.
Concerns have been raised by users who speculate that the new EULA grants Take-Two root-level access to their systems, potentially enabling the collection of sensitive personal information. These allegations remain unconfirmed, as Take-Two has not yet issued a statement addressing these concerns. The implementation of anti-cheat software is particularly contentious within the Borderlands community, known for its vibrant modding scene. The impact of these changes on modding and overall gameplay, as well as their relevance to the upcoming Borderlands 4, remains uncertain.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view these EULA changes as overly intrusive, others argue that the reaction might be exaggerated. Reddit user Librask, for instance, pointed out that the updated EULA is not significantly different from the 2018 version, suggesting an overreaction by the community. It's worth noting that Take-Two's terms of service are broad and not all provisions may directly impact Borderlands.
The EULA clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, has the authority to update its terms, and users have the option to either accept the changes or discontinue using the service. Root-level access, while controversial, is not uncommon in the gaming industry, especially for competitive multiplayer games. However, Borderlands is primarily a cooperative game, leading to confusion over the necessity of such stringent measures. With Borderlands 4 on the horizon, the effectiveness and need for this anti-cheat software are still up for debate.
As the Borderlands community continues to voice its concerns, the spotlight is on Take-Two Interactive to see how they will address these EULA changes. Despite the controversy, the company is pushing forward with preparations for the release of Borderlands 4, set to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned to our updates for the latest news on this highly anticipated looter-shooter.
