Randy Pitchford Explains Why Borderlands Still Has No Real Competitors
Artis Kenderik
Borderlands creator Randy Pitchford stated that other studios still don’t truly understand what players love about “looter shooters.” According to him, if developers had a deeper grasp of the thrill and decision-making behind loot, Gearbox would already have strong rivals.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Pitchford noted that with the release of Borderlands 4, the series will surpass 100 million copies sold — yet he believes studios are “still learning” how to get it right. He explained that the secret to Borderlands’ success lies in a specific psychological loop of choice: players constantly decide whether to swap weapons, even when the new one is only slightly better than the old.
That moment — to keep what you have or take a risk and try something new — is part of human nature. That decision is the hook that makes Borderlands so compelling.
The developer added that most competitors make the mistake of copying mechanics instead of the philosophy behind the genre. According to him, a looter shooter isn’t defined by the amount of loot but by the satisfaction that comes from making choices.
Borderlands 4 was released on September 12 and received high praise from critics. Earlier, the developers announced
a holiday-themed update featuring a new location and boss.
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