The Borderlands franchise is facing a wave of negative reviews after publisher Take-Two Interactive introduced changes to its End User License Agreement (EULA). Discover how the community has responded and what this could mean for the future of the series.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
The Borderlands series has encountered a storm of negative feedback following recent modifications to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. On May 18, Reddit user Noob4Head highlighted that Steam ratings for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 had shifted to "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative" due to these changes.
Take-Two's terms of service were last updated on February 28, and the changes have sparked discussions across Reddit and YouTube. Many users are criticizing the new anti-cheat software, labeling it as "spyware."
According to user reports, the updated EULA allegedly allows Take-Two to gain root-level access to users' machines under the guise of anti-cheat software. There are concerns that this could lead to the collection of sensitive personal data, such as passwords and contact information. However, these are speculations as Take-Two has not yet responded to these allegations.
The introduction of anti-cheat software is particularly contentious because the modding community is a vital part of Borderlands' appeal. The impact of these EULA changes on modding, privacy, and gameplay remains uncertain, especially in light of the upcoming release of Borderlands 4.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view the EULA changes as invasive, others believe the reaction might be an overreach. Reddit user Librask argued, “People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018.” It's worth noting that Take-Two's terms of service are general and may not specifically target Borderlands.
The EULA also states that Take-Two, as the product owner, has the right to modify its agreements, and users can choose to accept these terms or discontinue using their services.
Root-level access is not uncommon in competitive multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege, where it's used to combat cheating. However, since Borderlands lacks a significant PvP component, the inclusion of this software has left many fans puzzled. The necessity of this measure for the upcoming Borderlands 4 remains to be seen.
As the Borderlands series navigates this controversy, it's unclear how Take-Two will address the community's concerns and whether they will reconsider the EULA changes. Meanwhile, preparations continue for the launch of Borderlands 4.
Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned to our articles for the latest updates on the game!