Borderlands 4 Release Date Moved Up 11 Days: Implications for GTA 6?

Gearbox's highly anticipated first-person shooter, Borderlands 4, is set to release 11 days earlier than initially planned, as announced by Development Chief Randy Pitchford in an early-leaked video. Originally scheduled for September 23, the game will now launch on September 12, available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.

In the video, Pitchford expressed optimism about the game's progress, stating, "Everything is going great, actually. In fact, everything is going kind of the best-case scenario. The game is awesome, the team is cooking, and so the launch date for Borderlands 4 is changing. We’re moving it forward. The launch date is now September 12."

He further emphasized the excitement, adding, “What?! This never happens you guys! This never happens! We’re moving the launch date forward! You’re gonna get Borderlands 4 earlier!”

Pitchford also mentioned that the much-anticipated PlayStation State of Play event focusing on Borderlands 4 is imminent.

While the sudden move might raise eyebrows, some speculate it could be linked to the impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6. Set for sometime in Fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, GTA 6's vague release window has sparked concerns about potential overlap with other major titles like Borderlands 4. Could this earlier release date provide more breathing room?

Notably, both Borderlands 4 and GTA 6 fall under the umbrella of Take-Two Interactive, with 2K Games publishing Borderlands 4 and Rockstar developing GTA 6. At the highest levels of the company, decisions regarding release dates likely consider the broader impact on all titles.

If Borderlands 4 launches on September 12, it could rule out an overlapping GTA 6 release in August or September. Potential windows for GTA 6 now include October, November, or even December 2025. However, there’s a risk of self-cannibalization if Take-Two releases multiple major titles too closely together. Additionally, another 2K title, Mafia: The Old Country, is slated for summer 2025.

When asked about the possibility of GTA 6 being delayed into early winter or Q1 2026, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick acknowledged risks but expressed confidence in the company’s release strategy. He stated, “No, I think we will plan the releases so as not to have that be a problem... We feel really good about it and I think that we will time our releases so as to respect the consumer's need to spend a lot of time playing these hit games before they go on to the next.”

Despite this assurance, speculation remains rife, leaving fans eager to see how Take-Two navigates its blockbuster lineup for 2025.