Back to Basics: Borderlands 4 Writers Promise a More Grounded and Less Parodic Experience

In the world of looter shooters, few franchises are as recognized and beloved as Borderlands. With its signature cel-shaded art style, bombastic characters, and a virtually infinite number of guns, it has carved out a unique space in the gaming landscape. However, the last main entry, Borderlands 3, was met with a mixed reception, particularly for its narrative, which many felt leaned too heavily into a cringe-inducing, memetic humor. Now, with Borderlands 4 on the horizon, the development team at Gearbox Software is promising a return to form. In a recent interview, the game’s writers admitted that the previous game “sometimes felt like parody,” and they are actively working to create a more grounded and emotionally resonant story. And, in a nod to the current zeitgeist, they have confirmed that while there is a meme in the new game, “it does not involve a Skibidi Toilet.” This statement is a powerful signal to fans that the developers are listening and that they are committed to delivering a story that is more in line with the tone of the series’ most beloved installments. With a release date of September 12, 2025, the wait to see if they’ve succeeded is almost over.

The Tonal Shift: From Parody to Pathos

The writing team, led by narrative director Sam Winkler, has made it clear that their goal for Borderlands 4 is to find a balance between the series’ signature humor and a more serious, character-driven narrative. In the interview, Winkler admitted that in their “worst hours,” Borderlands 3 felt like a parody of itself, a critique that many fans have echoed since its release. This time around, they are taking inspiration from media that “takes its characters seriously” even while telling definitively comedic stories. The goal is to make jokes that feel like they’re coming from the characters themselves, rather than from a disembodied writer trying to reference the latest viral trend. This is a crucial distinction. The best of Borderlands 2’s humor came from the situational absurdity of its world and the well-defined personalities of its characters, and it seems that Borderlands 4 is looking to recapture that magic. By grounding the humor in the world, the developers are hoping to create a narrative that is both hilarious and emotionally impactful.

The confirmed inclusion of a single meme is a telling detail. It’s a playful wink at the audience that acknowledges the internet culture the series has often been a part of, but it is done with a sense of purpose and restraint. The fact that the narrative director would cry “real tears” if a certain viral trend made it into the game shows a genuine commitment to a higher standard of humor. This dedication is a breath of fresh air for a franchise that has sometimes been criticized for its reliance on low-effort gags. It’s a sign that the writing team is not just trying to make a funny game, but a game with a genuinely good story that happens to be funny. The new game, with its new planet of Kairos and its new vault hunters, is a chance for a fresh start, and it seems that the developers are seizing that opportunity with both hands. The story of a revolt against a tyrannical order on a new planet provides a perfect backdrop for a more serious and compelling narrative, and the writers seem to be embracing that potential.

• A Conscious Decision: The developers have admitted that the writing in Borderlands 3 sometimes missed the mark and have made a conscious effort to correct it.
• Grounded Humor: The game’s humor will now be tied to the characters and their “lived experience” rather than just internet memes.
• No “Skibidi Toilet”: This is a clear signal to fans that the writing will not rely on dated, viral trends for its humor.

A Looter Shooter with a Soul

Beyond the narrative, Borderlands 4 promises to be a massive leap forward for the series. The gameplay has been refined, with new movement mechanics, new classes, and an even bigger arsenal of guns. The game is being built on a new engine and will feature a seamless, open world that is more interconnected than ever before. But all the new features and polished gameplay will mean nothing without a compelling story to tie it all together. The writers’ candid comments suggest that they understand this. They are not just making a game with a billion guns; they are making a game with a soul. By taking its characters and its world more seriously, even while maintaining its chaotic energy, Borderlands 4 is poised to be a return to form for the franchise, a game that reminds us why we fell in love with it in the first place.