The Borderlands series is currently facing a wave of negative reviews following significant changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. Dive into the details to understand the community's reaction and the potential implications for the franchise.
Borderlands Games Recent Reviews Are "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative"
Take-Two Terms of Service Changes
The Borderlands franchise is experiencing a review bombing campaign after fans discovered alterations to Take-Two Interactive's EULA. Noticed by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18, the Steam ratings for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 have shifted to "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative" due to these updates.
Take-Two's terms of service were last updated on February 28. The issue gained significant attention through discussions on Reddit and YouTube, where the new anti-cheat software was labeled as "spyware."
According to user reports, the updated EULA allows Take-Two to have root-level access to users' machines, purportedly under the guise of anti-cheat measures. This could potentially lead to the collection of personal data, including passwords and contact details. However, these claims are speculative as Take-Two has not issued an official statement addressing the controversy.
The introduction of anti-cheat software is particularly contentious because the modding community has been integral to the Borderlands series' success. The impact of these EULA changes on modding and the potential privacy concerns they raise are still unclear. Additionally, it remains to be seen if these measures are a precursor to the upcoming Borderlands 4.
Possibly An Overreaction?
While many fans view the EULA changes as invasive, some have defended Take-Two, suggesting that the updates are not significantly different from previous versions. 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.” It's worth noting that Take-Two's terms of service are a broad document, not all of which directly affects the Borderlands series.
The EULA clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, has the right to modify the agreement, and users can choose to either accept these changes or discontinue using the services.
Root-level access is not unprecedented in multiplayer games; titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege have employed similar measures to combat cheating. However, Borderlands lacks a significant PvP competitive scene, making the inclusion of such software puzzling to fans. The necessity of this addition, especially with Borderlands 4 on the horizon, is still under debate.
As the Borderlands series navigates this controversy, the community awaits Take-Two's response and potential adjustments to the EULA. Meanwhile, preparations for the release of Borderlands 4 continue, with the game set to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation.
