State of Play Reveals Borderlands 4 Gameplay

The April 2025 State of Play dedicated 20 minutes to showcasing Borderlands 4's official gameplay, highlighting fresh mechanics and innovations. Discover the newly unveiled details and why fans speculate about its shifted release timeline.

State of Play Unveils Exciting Borderlands 4 Features

Extended 20-Minute Gameplay Showcase

PlayStation's April 30 State of Play presentation delivered an in-depth look at Borderlands 4's gameplay, featuring new characters and systems. The broadcast included a comprehensive 20-minute walkthrough of the anticipated looter-shooter.

Viewers got their first look at two of four playable Vault Hunters: Vex the Siren, who "harnesses phasic energy to enhance her abilities and summon spectral allies," and Rafa the Exo-Soldier, "a defected Tediore soldier equipped with prototype armor that materializes weapons on demand."

Players will explore Kairos, a dangerous new world dominated by warring clans, hostile wildlife, and oppressed locals under Timekeeper's rule. The narrative focuses on rallying factions to overthrow the dictator, with returning allies Claptrap, Moxxi, and Zane joining the fight.

Key innovations include the modular Parts system for weapon customization, additional Gear slots for specialized loadouts, and the new Digirunner vehicle. These features promise deeper combat and exploration possibilities.

Gearbox Addresses Release Date Speculation

Prior to the showcase, Gearbox announced Borderlands 4's release moved forward by two weeks, citing development progress. While fans speculated about potential competition with Grand Theft Auto 6's rumored launch window, both franchises fall under Take-Two Interactive's portfolio.

The publishing giant previously confirmed GTA 6's Fall 2025 release wouldn't overlap with Borderlands 4's original 2026 fiscal year slot. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick emphasized avoiding major release conflicts during a November 2024 earnings call.

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford directly addressed timing concerns via Twitter (X), stating the schedule change reflects confidence in their product rather than external factors. "Our decision isn't influenced by any other title's release plans," he clarified.

Borderlands 4 launches September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC platforms. For ongoing updates about the franchise's next chapter, continue reading below.