Gearbox Software is preparing a substantial day one patch for Borderlands 4, aimed at smoothing over performance concerns that have surfaced during early play sessions. The update is expected to address a range of issues on PC, including stuttering, freezing, and crashes, according to both early impressions and comments from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford.
Journalist Scott Duwe recently reported that while the game is “absolutely awesome,” his PC experience was hampered by technical problems. In response, Pitchford acknowledged that the launch patch will be essential in optimizing performance. “The Day 1 patch does a lot,” he wrote on social media platform X, adding that players running below minimum specifications should not expect smooth results. “That the game runs at all on your system is a miracle. That you can get 55 to 60 fps out of heavy combat is actually incredible given how the engine [works].”
Pitchford emphasized that Borderlands 4 is a “big, bold, new, seamless world,” and while the team is confident in the optimization efforts, older and lower-end hardware will likely struggle. He also clarified some confusion over specifications, noting that 2K’s quality assurance teams have achieved an average of 60 frames per second on minimum-spec PCs using medium settings. The difference between HDD and SSD storage, he explained, can also significantly impact hitching and load times.
When asked directly about performance on modern mid-range hardware, Pitchford reassured players. Responding to one fan with an RTX 4070 and Ryzen 7 5700X, he said, “You should be okay. Do you have an SSD or HDD? How much RAM?” Conversely, he pointed out that another setup featuring an RTX 3070 and 16 GB of RAM fell below the published minimum specifications, but he remained optimistic that the game was still playable under those conditions.
Borderlands 4 is the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Borderlands 3 and the fifth mainline entry in Gearbox’s looter-shooter franchise. It is set to release on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows, followed by a Nintendo Switch 2 version on October 3. With its expansive open world and emphasis on cooperative play, Gearbox is banking on the day one patch to ensure that PC players in particular can enjoy a smoother experience when the game officially launches.
