Gearbox CEO Blames Old PC Hardware for Borderlands 4 Performance Problems
Key Points
- Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford says Borderlands 4 is a “premium game” for “premium gamers.”
- He attributes poor PC performance to users’ “too‑old hardware.”
- The game struggles to exceed 90 fps at 1080p even with DLAA on maximum settings.
- Top‑end GPUs like the RTX 5090 fail to deliver smooth performance at 4K resolution.
- Many players use mid‑range cards such as the RTX 4060, intensifying frustration.
- Community backlash focuses on perceived dismissiveness toward non‑premium hardware owners.
- Gearbox has indicated plans for performance patches, but criticism remains.
Gearbox Software chief Randy Pitchford asserted that the poor performance of Borderlands 4 on PCs is due to outdated hardware rather than game optimization. He described the title as a “premium game” for “premium gamers” and suggested that users with older systems should not expect high frame rates. The comments have drawn criticism from the gaming community, which points out that the game struggles even on top‑end GPUs such as the RTX 5090, and that many players are using mid‑range cards like the RTX 4060. The backlash highlights ongoing tensions over game optimization and hardware expectations.
Background
Borderlands 4, the latest entry in the long‑running shooter‑RPG franchise, has been the subject of intense scrutiny regarding its performance on personal computers. Players have reported that the game fails to deliver smooth frame rates even on high‑end graphics cards, prompting discussions about the title’s optimization.
CEO Remarks
Gearbox Software’s chief executive, Randy Pitchford, addressed the issue on the social platform X (formerly Twitter). He characterized Borderlands 4 as a “premium game” designed for “premium gamers.” In his statement, Pitchford argued that the game cannot be expected to run well on “too‑old PC hardware.” He emphasized that the title is not compatible with older consoles, such as the PlayStation 4, and by extension, should not be expected to perform on outdated PC setups.
Performance Issues on High‑End Systems
Despite Pitchford’s claim that the game targets premium hardware, evidence from gameplay footage shows that Borderlands 4 struggles on the market’s most powerful GPUs. Users have demonstrated that the game does not sustain frame rates above 90 fps at 1080p resolution even with DLAA enabled on maximum settings. When running at a 4K native resolution, the RTX 5090—a flagship graphics card—fails to deliver the expected performance, forcing players to rely on DLSS Quality or even DLSS Performance upscaling to achieve playable frame rates.
Community Reaction
The gaming community has reacted negatively to Pitchford’s comments, interpreting them as dismissive of players who cannot afford the latest hardware. Critics note that many PC gamers, according to recent hardware surveys, are using mid‑range GPUs such as the RTX 4060. The disparity between the hardware recommendations and the actual performance on top‑tier cards has fueled frustration. Observers argue that the responsibility for delivering a well‑optimized launch lies with the developers, and that the CEO’s remarks do not address the core issue of game performance.
Implications for Future Releases
The controversy underscores a broader debate within the industry about optimization versus hardware requirements. While Gearbox has pledged to release performance patches, the immediate backlash highlights the importance of aligning marketing messages with the technical realities faced by the wider player base. The episode serves as a reminder that developers must balance ambitious graphical goals with the practical expectations of gamers across the hardware spectrum.