💻 Borderlands 4 PC Requirements Outrage: Why Are Fans Furious? Full Breakdown, History & Community Reactions (2025)
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Borderlands 4 is one of 2025’s most anticipated games, but its newly revealed PC requirements have triggered a storm of anger and debate among fans. From minimum specs that rival top-tier hardware to accusations of poor optimization and price gouging, here’s the complete story: specs, community backlash, developer silence, and what this means for the future of PC gaming.
PC Gamer: Borderlands 4 System Requirements Demand 8 CPU Cores and 8 GB of VRAM
🖥️ Borderlands 4 PC Requirements: The Numbers That Sparked the Outrage
💾 Minimum Requirements:
🛑 DRM: Denuvo anti-tamper and Symbiote DRM included.
🛠️ Engine: Unreal Engine 5.
DSOGaming: Borderlands 4 PC Requirements Revealed
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-9700 / AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (8 cores)
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 / AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT (8 GB VRAM)
- Storage: 100 GB SSD required
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (8+ cores)
- Memory: 32 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (12+ GB VRAM)
- Storage: 100 GB SSD required
🛑 DRM: Denuvo anti-tamper and Symbiote DRM included.
🛠️ Engine: Unreal Engine 5.
😡 Why Are Borderlands 4 PC Users Furious? Community Voices & Analysis
🧑💻 1. Minimum Specs Are Sky-High: Even the minimum requirements demand hardware that was high-end in 2019 and is still expensive today. Many fans with mid-range or older rigs feel excluded.
💰 2. 32GB RAM & RTX 3080 for “Recommended”: Gamers are shocked that a stylized, cel-shaded shooter needs specs rivaling the most demanding AAA games.
🔧 3. Optimization Concerns: Past Borderlands games (especially Borderlands 3) were criticized for poor PC optimization. Fans fear Borderlands 4 will be “an unoptimized mess at launch” and cite BL3’s lingering stutter and performance issues as proof.
💬 4. Lack of Transparency: Gearbox hasn’t clarified what settings or framerates these specs target, nor whether upscaling (DLSS/FSR) is assumed.
💸 5. Price Tag Controversy: The $70–$130 price range and “real fans will pay” comments from Gearbox leadership have fueled anger.
🔒 6. DRM Worries: The inclusion of Denuvo and Symbiote DRM is seen as a performance risk and an annoyance for many PC gamers.
🗣️ 7. Unreal Engine 5: While visually impressive, UE5 is notoriously demanding, and fans question whether the new features justify the hardware cost.
Reddit: Borderlands 4 PC System Requirements + Cost
💰 2. 32GB RAM & RTX 3080 for “Recommended”: Gamers are shocked that a stylized, cel-shaded shooter needs specs rivaling the most demanding AAA games.
🔧 3. Optimization Concerns: Past Borderlands games (especially Borderlands 3) were criticized for poor PC optimization. Fans fear Borderlands 4 will be “an unoptimized mess at launch” and cite BL3’s lingering stutter and performance issues as proof.
💬 4. Lack of Transparency: Gearbox hasn’t clarified what settings or framerates these specs target, nor whether upscaling (DLSS/FSR) is assumed.
💸 5. Price Tag Controversy: The $70–$130 price range and “real fans will pay” comments from Gearbox leadership have fueled anger.
🔒 6. DRM Worries: The inclusion of Denuvo and Symbiote DRM is seen as a performance risk and an annoyance for many PC gamers.
🗣️ 7. Unreal Engine 5: While visually impressive, UE5 is notoriously demanding, and fans question whether the new features justify the hardware cost.
🗨️ Real User Reactions: Reddit, Forums & YouTube
🗯️ “There is no way a Borderlands game is that demanding.” – PC Gamer user
😤 “No optimizing, only DLSS, and you'll like it.” – Reddit
🤦♂️ “If PC boycotts, they’ll just decide not to port to PC. They optimize to consoles because that’s where more money per optimization dollar comes from.” – Reddit
💬 “I have a 3070 and was optimistic, but after seeing this, it’s like they didn’t even try to optimize the game at all.” – Reddit
🛑 “Given that the game is likely to crash even on high-end systems, those with older hardware or tighter budgets may struggle to run it at all.” – Reddit
😡 “The developers seem more focused on profits than on delivering a positive player experience.” – Reddit
🗣️ “Why does a cel-shaded shooter need a 3080?” – PC Gamer
🧑🔬 “Are they depending on a specific, recent CPU instruction that is exclusive to these models? I’m skeptical about that.” – Reddit
Tom's Hardware: Borderlands 4 Users Furious as PC Requirements Reveal RTX 3070 Minimum GPU, 3080 Recommended
😤 “No optimizing, only DLSS, and you'll like it.” – Reddit
🤦♂️ “If PC boycotts, they’ll just decide not to port to PC. They optimize to consoles because that’s where more money per optimization dollar comes from.” – Reddit
💬 “I have a 3070 and was optimistic, but after seeing this, it’s like they didn’t even try to optimize the game at all.” – Reddit
🛑 “Given that the game is likely to crash even on high-end systems, those with older hardware or tighter budgets may struggle to run it at all.” – Reddit
😡 “The developers seem more focused on profits than on delivering a positive player experience.” – Reddit
🗣️ “Why does a cel-shaded shooter need a 3080?” – PC Gamer
🧑🔬 “Are they depending on a specific, recent CPU instruction that is exclusive to these models? I’m skeptical about that.” – Reddit
🧑🔬 Technical Analysis: Is Gearbox Overreaching?
🖌️ Visual Style vs. Hardware Demands: Borderlands is known for its cel-shaded, cartoonish look, which should be less taxing than photorealistic games. However, Unreal Engine 5’s advanced lighting, effects, and open world tech can be very demanding.
🔬 Possible Reasons for High Specs:
GamesRadar: Borderlands 4 – Everything We Know So Far
🔬 Possible Reasons for High Specs:
- Unreal Engine 5’s Nanite and Lumen features
- Massive open world and new co-op features
- Future-proofing for next-gen hardware
- Upscaling (DLSS/FSR) expected as default for smooth performance
- DRM overhead (Denuvo/Symbiote)
📅 Borderlands 4 Release Date, Editions & What’s Next
📅 Release Date: September 12, 2025
🖥️ Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2
🎮 Editions: Standard ($70), Deluxe ($100), Super Deluxe ($130)
🔒 DRM: Denuvo and Symbiote
🆕 Engine: Unreal Engine 5
👥 Co-op: 4-player online, 2-player split-screen, cross-play
🕹️ Gameplay: New Vault Hunters, improved loot, boss replay, legendary weapons, and more
GamesRadar: Borderlands 4 Guide – Release Date, Features, and More
🖥️ Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2
🎮 Editions: Standard ($70), Deluxe ($100), Super Deluxe ($130)
🔒 DRM: Denuvo and Symbiote
🆕 Engine: Unreal Engine 5
👥 Co-op: 4-player online, 2-player split-screen, cross-play
🕹️ Gameplay: New Vault Hunters, improved loot, boss replay, legendary weapons, and more
💡 FAQ: What PC Gamers Want to Know About Borderlands 4 Requirements
💡 FAQ:
Reddit: Borderlands 4 Will Be an Unoptimized Mess at Launch
- Will Borderlands 4 run on my PC? If you have less than an RTX 2070/5700 XT and 16GB RAM, probably not well. Recommended specs are even higher.
- Why are the requirements so high? Unreal Engine 5, advanced effects, possible lack of optimization, and “future-proofing.”
- Is this just for 4K/Ultra? Gearbox hasn’t clarified what settings or framerates these specs target.
- Will there be a performance patch? No word yet, but fans hope for optimization updates post-launch.
- Is the price justified? Many say no, especially with such high hardware demands and DRM.
- Will DRM affect performance? Denuvo and Symbiote may impact load times and FPS, but results vary by system.
- Should I buy at launch? Many advise waiting for reviews and performance benchmarks.
©️ 2025 | Borderlands 4 PC Requirements Outrage: Complete Guide for US Gamers, PC Builders & Looter Shooter Fans