Borderlands Hit with Review Bombing Post-EULA Update

The beloved Borderlands franchise is currently facing a wave of negative reviews following recent changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by its publisher, Take-Two Interactive. Let's delve into how the community has reacted and what implications this might hold for the future of the series.

Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

Fans of the Borderlands series have taken to review bombing the games on Steam after discovering that Take-Two Interactive updated its EULA. This backlash was first noted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18, leading to a significant number of negative reviews for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3.

According to the terms of service page on Take-Two’s website, the latest update was made on February 28. The issue gained widespread attention through discussions on Reddit and YouTube, with many users labeling the new anti-cheat software as "spyware."

Community members are concerned that the updated EULA allows Take-Two to have root-level access to their machines, potentially collecting sensitive personal data such as passwords and contact information. These concerns, however, are based on speculation as Take-Two has not yet issued an official statement addressing these allegations.

The introduction of anti-cheat software also raises questions, especially considering the vibrant modding community that has been integral to the success of Borderlands. The impact of these changes on modding, privacy, and gameplay remains unclear, and there's speculation about whether they are preparatory measures for the upcoming Borderlands 4.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view the EULA changes as intrusive, some have come to Take-Two's defense. Reddit user Librask, for instance, argued that "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 a broad document, and not all changes may directly impact the Borderlands series.

The EULA explicitly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, reserves the right to update its terms, and users have the option to agree or discontinue using the services. Root-level access is not uncommon in multiplayer games like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege, which use it to combat cheating. However, given that Borderlands has a limited competitive PvP scene, the necessity of such software in this context is puzzling to many fans.

As the Borderlands community grapples with these developments, all eyes are on Take-Two to see how they will respond and whether they will reconsider their recent changes. Despite the controversy, the company is moving forward with the anticipated release of Borderlands 4.

Borderlands 4 is slated to launch on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our comprehensive coverage below!