The beloved Borderlands series is facing a wave of negative reviews following significant changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. Dive deeper 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
The Borderlands franchise is currently under fire, with games like Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 receiving a flurry of negative reviews on Steam. This backlash stems from recent updates to Take-Two Interactive's EULA, first highlighted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18.
According to Take-Two's terms of service page, the last update was on February 28. However, the issue resurfaced when Reddit users and YouTubers began discussing the new terms, particularly the introduction of anti-cheat software labeled as "spyware" by some community members.
Community concerns are centered around the EULA's alleged permission for root-level access to players' machines, supposedly for anti-cheat purposes. Speculation abounds that this could lead to the collection of personal data, including passwords and contact information. Take-Two has yet to address these allegations publicly.
The introduction of anti-cheat software is especially contentious because Borderlands has thrived on its modding community. There's worry that these changes might not only infringe on privacy but also hinder the creative modding scene. As the gaming world awaits Borderlands 4, it remains unclear if these EULA updates are a precursor to further changes that could affect gameplay and community engagement.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view these EULA changes as intrusive and negative, others believe the reaction may be overblown. Reddit user Librask, for instance, argued, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." The terms of service are broad and not all clauses may directly impact Borderlands players.
Take-Two's EULA clearly states that the company reserves the right to update the agreement as part of managing its products, with users having the option to accept or discontinue use. Root-level access, though controversial, is not uncommon in multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege, where it's used to combat cheating. However, given Borderlands' limited competitive PvP elements, the necessity of such software in this series is questioned.
As the Borderlands community navigates these turbulent waters, all eyes are on Take-Two to see if they will address the community's concerns or possibly reverse the EULA changes. Meanwhile, the company continues its preparations for the highly anticipated release of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 is slated to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on this exciting new chapter in the looter-shooter saga.
