Borderlands 4 will arrive on September 12, 2024, for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series at a standard price of €79.99 in Europe (€69.99 in North America). Beyond the base game, two paid tiers—Deluxe at €99.99 and Super Deluxe at €129.99—package future story expansions, new Vault Hunters and cosmetic bundles. The pricing announcement has reignited debate over rising AAA costs, regional markups and the growing live-service style of packaged DLC.
At €79.99 for the European standard edition, Borderlands 4 sits 33 percent higher than the €59.99 launch price of Borderlands 3 in 2019. In North America the MSRP remains $69.99, matching the last mainline entry. Console players bear the heaviest burden—PC costs a flat €69.99—prompting criticism that European markets are treated as “premium” cash cows at a time when disposable income is under pressure from inflation (Eurostat reports annual inflation in the eurozone at 3.4 percent in March 2024).
2K Games has structured two upgrade paths:
According to the official press release, 2K expects players to “choose the package that best suits their appetite for expanded content and co-op adventures.” Critics argue the early bundling of major content is emblematic of a shift toward live-service economics, effectively gating key story elements unless players pay up front.
AAA game pricing has climbed steadily: NPD Group data shows the average new full-price console title in the U.S. rose from $59.99 in 2018 to $69.99 in 2023—a 17 percent increase. In Europe, currency fluctuations and VAT have driven pricing from around €60 to near €80. Comparable franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty now also deploy multiple paid tiers and season passes, indicating an industry-wide pivot toward segmented content offerings.
On Reddit, posts in r/Borderlands quickly garnered hundreds of comments. User u/lootfan summed up a common sentiment: “At €80 for standard plus another €30 for the story DLC, I’m questioning if I wait for sales or jump in day one.” Another fan tweeted, “€10 more on console than PC feels unfair—regional price parity, please!”
2K responded with a statement: “Pricing for Borderlands 4 reflects the scope of content and ongoing support we plan to deliver. Players have multiple purchase options to match their preferences.” The publisher also promised a free weekend demo closer to launch and pledged timely discounts during fall sales.
All editions will launch on September 12 for PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PS5 and Xbox Series. A later release window is set for Nintendo’s Switch 2 in late 2024, a decision 2K attributes to “technical optimizations required for the handheld environment.” Historically, Borderlands ports have received post-launch patches and sales, suggesting Switch 2 owners could see bundled deals several months after the main release.
For cost-conscious gamers, the base €79.99 price may still offer dozens of hours of core story, co-op mode and side activities. Those craving the complete narrative experience should budget up to €129.99 up front. Past Borderlands titles have seen 20–30 percent price drops within six months, and major DLC often joins seasonal sales. As one community member noted, “If the gameplay is as wild as promised, the purchase feels easier to justify—but I’ll wait for user reviews first.”
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | 2K Games |
| Release Date | September 12, 2024 |
| Genres | First-person shooter, Action RPG, Co-op |
| Platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2 (late 2024) |
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