The eagerly anticipated Borderlands 4 is shaking things up by shifting away from its familiar meme-driven humor and occasional reliance on toilet jokes. This revelation comes straight from the narrative director, Sam Winkler, who addressed some fan concerns. Many players felt the previous game overplayed its hand with these comedic elements, and it seems Gearbox is ready to tweak the balance in this latest installment.
Fans were given a sneak peek at what Borderlands 4 has in store during The Game Awards 2024, with the debut trailer showcasing fresh factions, formidable villains, and exciting gameplay segments that feature the four new vault hunters. Even though Gearbox is still keeping many details under wraps, the narrative director took a moment to clarify the tone after a fan commented that the game appeared somewhat darker than expected.
Sam Winkler took to social media to emphasize that Borderlands 4 is Gearbox’s most ambitious title yet. However, when a fan inquired whether the game would lean towards a darker narrative rather than the humor-filled experience typical of the series, Winkler reinforced their intentions. While remaining tight-lipped about specific content, he acknowledged some of the criticisms surrounding Borderlands 3’s humor, noting the overuse of toilet jokes.
In addressing questions from the community, Winkler confirmed that while toilets will remain in the game, they won’t be of the “skibidi” variety—a playful nod to current meme trends. When a developer inquired about a weapon named Hawk 2A after spotting it online, Winkler quickly set the record straight, saying it doesn’t exist. Clearly, the upcoming installment won’t be revisiting the meme-centric themes that flavored its predecessor.
Although the trailer generated excitement, it left fans with many unanswered questions, particularly about the new antagonist known as The Timekeeper. While the introduction of the four Vault Hunters piqued interest, little is known about their abilities, leaving some fans underwhelmed by their appearance. Despite this, with a slated release in 2025, Gearbox still has ample opportunity to unfold the story and address these concerns, dispelling worries as details gradually emerge.
