Randy Pitchford on the Defensive

In a bold move, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has jumped into the fray, directly addressing the outcry from fans regarding the PC performance of Borderlands 4. Taking to social media, he urged gamers to adjust their expectations relative to their hardware capabilities.

Expectations vs. Reality

"Every PC gamer must accept the reality of the relationship between their hardware and what the software they are running is doing," Pitchford asserted, emphasizing that the game is designed to operate optimally within its set parameters.

He highlighted that Gearbox targets a performance of 30 frames per second (fps) on minimum specs and 60 fps on recommended configurations, inviting players to tweak settings using available tools to find their ideal balance between frame rate, resolution, and graphical features.

DLSS: A Game-Changer

Pitchford strongly advocates for the use of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), Nvidia’s AI-enhancement technology, confident that it boosts performance without notable input lag. "Use DLSS. It’s great," he stated, reminding players that the game is not a competitive FPS and should be enjoyed at whatever settings work best for them.

Gearbox's Commitment to Improvement

Despite the turbulence, Pitchford reassured players that Gearbox is actively addressing performance issues and making continual improvements to the game. He noted that customer service reports regarding performance complaints constitute a mere fraction of total installs, reflecting a disconnect between vocal criticism online and actual user experiences.

1440p: A Compromise Worth Considering

In an interesting take, Pitchford suggested that gamers aiming for 4K could find satisfaction at 1440p instead. He shared his personal experience, stating that playing at high settings in 1440p delivers an impressive visual experience, making it a sensible choice for those with less powerful hardware.

A Premium Experience for Premium Gamers

Confronting criticism, Pitchford reiterated that Borderlands 4 is designed for modern gaming setups. He made it clear that expecting it to run on outdated hardware was unrealistic. "Borderlands 4 is a premium game made for premium gamers," he declared, drawing a line between high-end gaming and older specs.

Invitation to Innovate

In a slightly sarcastic tone, Pitchford challenged detractors to "code your own engine and show us how it’s done." This remark underscores the complexities involved in game development and hints at the challenges Gearbox faces.

Launch Success and Community Response

Despite its rocky start in terms of reviews, Borderlands 4 achieved peak concurrent players of over 300,000 on Steam, a record for the series. However, reviews remain mixed, predominantly revolving around performance issues.

Final Thoughts for Gamers

Gearbox has since released an optimization guide aimed at helping players maximize their gaming experience. They also advised that adjusting graphics settings may require patience as shaders recompilation is necessary after changes.

As fans dive into Borderlands 4, remember to check out resources like SHiFT codes and interactive maps to enhance your gameplay experience.