"Borderlands Hit with Review Bombing Post-EULA Update"

The Borderlands franchise is currently facing a wave of negative reviews following changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. Let's delve into the community's reaction and what this might mean for the future of the series.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

The Borderlands series, including titles like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, has been hit with a flurry of negative reviews on Steam. This backlash began after fans discovered updates to Take-Two Interactive's EULA, as highlighted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18. The crux of the controversy centers around the integration of what some players have termed "spyware" in the form of anti-cheat software.

According to user reports, the revised EULA allegedly allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to players' computers, potentially collecting sensitive personal data like passwords and contact information. While these claims are speculative and lack an official response from Take-Two, the community's reaction has been swift and strong.

Moreover, the addition of anti-cheat software raises concerns among fans, particularly given the significance of the Borderlands modding community to the game's culture and success. Whether these changes are a precursor to privacy issues or gameplay restrictions, especially in anticipation of Borderlands 4, remains unclear.

Possibly An Overreaction?

Amidst the outcry, some fans argue that the community might be overreacting. Reddit user Librask, for instance, pointed out that "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's true that Take-Two's terms of service are broad and not all provisions may directly impact Borderlands players.

The EULA also clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to update the agreement, leaving users with the option to either accept the new terms or discontinue using their services.

While root-level access is common in other multiplayer games like League of Legends and Valorant to combat cheating, its inclusion in Borderlands puzzles many fans, given the franchise's limited competitive PvP scene. The necessity of such measures for the upcoming Borderlands 4 is still up for debate.

As the dust settles on this controversy, the community awaits Take-Two's response and potential adjustments to the EULA. In the meantime, the company is focusing on the much-anticipated 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 for more updates on this evolving story and the future of the Borderlands series.