Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford has issued a bold challenge to the Borderlands 4 community, encouraging players to stress the game’s online systems in an attempt to bring them down. Pitchford expressed full confidence in the game’s backend infrastructure, stating that the online team has built a system capable of withstanding the high demand expected during launch weekend.
Taking to social media, Pitchford remarked, “I’m telling you that it’s going to be VERY unlikely you guys can be enough people to break the backend and take our game down. I know there have been some high profile backend on-line systems failing around big AAA game launches, but not this one. I am THAT confident.” He added that while hacking will not count, legitimate player activity such as logging in and out or joining random sessions is encouraged to test the servers’ limits.
To motivate players, Gearbox is offering free in-game rewards simply for participating in the stress test. The “Break Free” content pack, which includes a Vault Hunter skin for Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe, as well as a Legendary Ripper Shield that scales to player level, will be distributed to those who take part this weekend. Pitchford also promised that if the servers do somehow fail, he will ensure the community receives additional rewards as compensation.
The official Borderlands account further teased that more bonuses may arrive, with a post hinting at potential Vault Hunter skins or even powerful gear drops depending on the level of player engagement. From September 12 to 14, Gearbox will be monitoring activity across all platforms as players unleash chaos in the game’s setting of Kairos.
Borderlands 4 launched on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release planned for October 3.
