The beloved Borderlands series is currently facing a wave of negative reviews after publisher Take-Two Interactive introduced controversial changes to its End User License Agreement (EULA). Dive into the details to understand the community's reaction and the potential impact on the franchise.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
Fans of the Borderlands series have taken to review bombing the games on Steam following changes to the EULA by Take-Two Interactive. This backlash began after Reddit user Noob4Head highlighted the updates on May 18, leading to a surge in negative reviews for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3.
Take-Two’s terms of service were last updated on February 28, but the issue only gained significant attention recently through discussions on Reddit and YouTube. Critics have dubbed the newly introduced anti-cheat software as "spyware," raising concerns about privacy and security.
The updated EULA reportedly allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to users' machines, potentially collecting sensitive personal data such as passwords and contact information. These claims, however, remain unconfirmed as Take-Two has not yet addressed the public's concerns.
The inclusion of anti-cheat software is particularly contentious given Borderlands’ thriving modding community, which has been integral to the series' success. The EULA changes could impact modding and raise questions about privacy and gameplay restrictions. Whether these measures are necessary for the upcoming release of Borderlands 4 is still uncertain.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans perceive these EULA changes as invasive, others argue that the reaction might be exaggerated. Reddit user Librask pointed out, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's important to note that Take-Two’s terms of service are a broad document, not all of which may directly affect Borderlands.
The EULA clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to update the agreement, and users can choose to either accept the new terms or discontinue using the services.
Root-level access in multiplayer games is not unprecedented, as seen in competitive titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege. However, Borderlands lacks a significant PvP competitive scene, making the inclusion of such software puzzling to many fans. The necessity of this addition, particularly with the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, remains a topic of debate.
As the Borderlands series navigates through this controversy, the community eagerly awaits Take-Two's response and potential revisions to the EULA. Meanwhile, the company is preparing for the much-anticipated release of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 is slated to launch on September 12, 2025, across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new chapter in the Borderlands saga.
