The first-person shooter genre is an overcrowded one, and it can be difficult for franchises to stand out, especially when they have to compete with titans like Call of Duty. Yet, Borderlands has managed to amass fans thanks to its irreverent humor and fun array of weapons to use. After the success of Borderlands 3, fans have been ready for a new mainline Borderlands game, though it may take a while before they receive it.Judging by the past release schedule of Borderlands games, it is just about time for a new title. However, the release of spin-off titles such as Tiny Tina's Wonderlands could have gamers waiting a little longer than usual. Fans shouldn't despair, however, as signs do suggest that the studio is busy with something.RELATED: Borderlands and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Could Create a Call of Duty-Like Cycle

What the Typical Release Schedule For Borderlands Games is

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Looking at past patterns, it may be possible to determine when the next Borderlands game will hit shelves. The first entry was released in 2009, and it introduced gamers to the wacky humor and action-packed shootouts that characterize the series. It was followed up by Borderlands 2 which was released in 2012. The same year, Borderlands Legends, a third-person shooter, was released. When 2014 rolled around, fans were treated to Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Tales from the Borderlands. The following year, Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel were bundled together into The Handsome Collection which also contained all the related DLC. In 2019, Gearbox Software released Borderlands 3. It initially launched on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, although it has since been ported to current-gen consoles.

The following year, another bundle was released in the form of the Borderlands Legacy Collection which contains Borderlands, The Pre-Sequel, and Borderlands 3. The last new releases in the series came in 2022 when gamers received the graphic adventure game New Tales from the Borderlands and the spin-off title Tiny Tina's Wonderlands. It appears that the wait between mainline games is about three to four years. If the pattern continues, gamers should expect to see Borderlands 4 this year or the following year. However, things could be affected by the fact that New Tales from the Borderlands and Tiny Tina's Wonderlands were released in 2022. Hence, the wait for the Borderlands 4 may be a tad longer than usual.

What Has Been Revealed About Borderlands 4 So Far

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There has yet to be any official word regarding Borderlands 4, though there are signs that the game is on the minds of the developers. In 2021, Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Software responded to rumors that future Borderlands games would be developed by a different studio. On Twitter, he dispelled these rumors, and also added that the studio is "working on the big one." Many have interpreted this as a hint that the studio has its eyes on Borderlands 4.

Further clues have come from an earnings call out of Embracer Group. In the call, it is revealed that Gearbox has plans to release ten games by 2026. It is safe to assume that Borderlands 4 is one of the titles planned, especially if one considers how much money the franchise has generated. Borderlands 3 alone raked in $113 million in a deal that made the game exclusive to Epic Games on PC for a year. Hence, although Gearbox has yet to explicitly mention Borderlands 4, there is good reason to believe the studio has not abandoned the franchise.

Though gamers may have to wait a while for Borderlands 4, possibly another couple of years, that doesn't mean there won't be any Borderlands fun in the meantime. A spin-off titled Borderlands: Vault Hunter Pinball is scheduled to release in 2023. The game combines the wackiness of Borderlands with classic pinball fun, and it should keep fans amused until official news about Borderlands 4 arrives.

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