The Borderlands series is facing a wave of negative reviews following recent changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. Dive into the details to understand the community's reaction and what it could mean for the franchise's future.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
The Borderlands series, including Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, has been hit with a barrage of negative reviews on Steam. This backlash started after fans discovered changes to Take-Two Interactive's EULA, as reported by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18.
Take-Two updated its terms of service on February 28, and the changes have since sparked significant controversy. Social media and YouTube content creators have criticized the new anti-cheat software, labeling it as "spyware."
According to user speculations, the updated EULA allows Take-Two's anti-cheat software to gain root-level access to players' machines, potentially collecting sensitive personal data like passwords and contact numbers. However, these claims remain unverified as Take-Two has not issued an official response to the outcry.
The inclusion of anti-cheat software raises concerns, especially given the importance of the modding community to Borderlands' success. The impact of these EULA changes on privacy and gameplay, and their relevance to the upcoming Borderlands 4, is still unclear.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view these changes as intrusive, others argue that the reaction might be overblown. Reddit user Librask noted, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." The updated EULA is a general document, and not all provisions directly affect Borderlands.
The EULA also specifies that Take-Two, as the product owner, has the right to modify the agreement, and users can choose to accept or discontinue using the service.
Root-level access is common in other multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege to combat cheating. However, Borderlands does not have a significant PvP competitive scene, which has left fans puzzled about the necessity of such software. The relevance of this addition will become clearer with the release of Borderlands 4.
As the Borderlands series navigates this storm, the community eagerly awaits Take-Two's response and any potential revisions to the EULA. Meanwhile, the company continues its preparations for the launch of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 is slated for release 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 the game by checking our dedicated article below!
