Borderlands games are getting review-bombed after publisher Take-Two Interactive made changes to its EULA. Read on to learn more about how players reacted to this and what it means for the franchise.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
Borderlands games are getting review-bombed after fans found out that publisher Take-Two Interactive made some changes to their End User License Agreement (EULA). As spotted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18, Steam ratings for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 are receiving negative reviews due to these changes.
According to Take-Two’s terms of service website, it was last updated on February 28. The topic recently gained traction as various Reddit users and YouTubers highlighted these changes, labelling the inclusion of the anti-cheat software as "spyware."
Based on user allegations, Take-Two’s updated EULA grants root-level access to their machines, masked as an anti-cheat software. These may include collecting personal information such as passwords, contact numbers, and so on. It is important to note that these claims are mere speculations, as Take-Two has yet to release a statement regarding this public outcry.
Furthermore, the addition of the anti-cheat software is questionable, as Borderlands’ modding community is a key part of its success, so targeting third-party applications may also affect this aspect of the game. The extent to which these EULA changes will lead to privacy issues or gameplay limitations, and whether they are necessary steps to accommodate the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, is yet to be seen.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While a lot of fans have seen these changes as something negative and intrusive, others came to the defense of Take-Two, stating that the updated EULA is not that different from its previous version. Reddit user Librask commented, “People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018.” Additionally, the company’s terms of service are a general document, which means not all aspects will affect Borderlands.
Moreover, the document clearly states that as the product owner, Take-Two has the right to manage its product, which includes updating the EULA, and users have the choice to either agree or terminate using their services.
Having root-level access is not new for multiplayer games, as highly competitive games such as League of Legends, Valorant, Rainbow Six: Siege, and others have used this as a defense for cheaters and hackers. However, Borderlands doesn’t have much of a PvP competitive scene (except for speedrunning and the like), so fans are baffled that they included the software. Regardless, Borderlands 4 has yet to be released, so the jury is out on whether it is a necessary addition.
With all the ruckus the Borderlands series is experiencing right now, it remains to be seen how Take-Two responds and if they will backtrack on the changes they made. Despite this, the company continues to gear up towards the launch of the looter-shooter’s 4th mainline entry.
Borderlands 4 is set to be released on September 12, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
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People are review-bombing the Borderlands games because Gearbox/2K made EULA changes?
Take-Two Terms of Service
Reddit User Librask on Borderlands EULA Being Hardly Different From 2018 Version
