The Borderlands series is facing a wave of review bombing following recent changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. This article delves into the community's reaction and what these changes could mean for the future of the franchise.

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

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

The Borderlands community has taken to review bombing the games on Steam after discovering alterations to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. On May 18, Reddit user Noob4Head highlighted that Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 were receiving negative feedback due to these updates.

Take-Two updated its terms of service on February 28, but the issue only recently came to light, amplified by discussions on Reddit and YouTube. Some users are calling the new anti-cheat software "spyware," raising concerns about privacy and security.

Allegations suggest that the updated EULA allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to users' machines under the guise of anti-cheat measures. Speculations include the potential collection of sensitive personal data such as passwords and contact information. While these claims are unconfirmed, as Take-Two has not yet responded publicly, the controversy persists.

The introduction of anti-cheat software is particularly contentious given Borderlands' vibrant modding community, which plays a significant role in the game's popularity. The impact of these EULA changes on modding and gameplay, as well as their necessity ahead of Borderlands 4's release, remains uncertain.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view the EULA changes as invasive, others argue that the reaction might be exaggerated. 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 terms are a general document, not specifically tailored to Borderlands, suggesting that not all changes directly affect the game.

Take-Two's right to update its EULA and manage its products is clearly outlined in the document, giving users the option to agree or discontinue use of the services. Root-level access, while controversial, is not uncommon in other multiplayer games like League of Legends and Valorant, aimed at preventing cheating. However, since Borderlands lacks a significant PvP component, the necessity of such measures is questioned.

As the Borderlands series navigates this turmoil, the community awaits Take-Two's response and any potential reversal of the EULA changes. Meanwhile, the company is preparing for the launch of Borderlands 4, set to release on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new addition to the looter-shooter genre.