EULA Changes Trigger Review Bombing of Borderlands

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 dive into how players have reacted and what this could mean 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 has altered its EULA. As first noted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18, the games Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 have seen a surge in negative feedback directly linked to these changes.

Take-Two's terms of service were last updated on February 28, but the issue only recently came to light thanks to discussions on Reddit and YouTube. Some users have gone as far as to label the newly introduced anti-cheat software as "spyware."

User speculation suggests that the updated EULA could grant Take-Two root-level access to their machines under the guise of anti-cheat measures. This could potentially lead to the collection of sensitive personal data like passwords and contact numbers. However, it's crucial to clarify that these are currently unverified claims, as Take-Two has not yet issued an official response.

The introduction of anti-cheat software raises concerns, particularly for Borderlands' thriving modding community, which has been integral to the game's success. The impact of these EULA changes on modding, privacy, and gameplay, as well as their relevance to the upcoming Borderlands 4, remains to be seen.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view the EULA changes as intrusive, some community members argue that the reaction might be an overstatement. Reddit user Librask pointed out, "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 apply broadly and not all changes necessarily impact Borderlands directly.

The EULA also affirms Take-Two's rights as the product owner to update its terms, with users having the option to agree or discontinue using their services.

Root-level access is not unprecedented in gaming, especially in titles with strong competitive elements like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege. However, given that Borderlands lacks a significant PvP competitive scene (outside of speedrunning), the inclusion of such software has puzzled many fans. The necessity of this measure will only become clear with the release of Borderlands 4.

As the Borderlands series navigates this controversy, the community eagerly awaits Take-Two's response and potential adjustments to the EULA. Meanwhile, the company is pushing forward with preparations for the launch of Borderlands 4, the next installment in the looter-shooter saga.

Borderlands 4 is slated for release on September 12, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated game by checking out our dedicated article below!