Borderlands Review Bombed After EULA Changes

The Borderlands franchise has come under fire as fans have taken to review bombing the games following changes to the End User License Agreement (EULA) by publisher Take-Two Interactive. This backlash stems from alterations spotted on May 18 by Reddit user Noob4Head, leading to a wave of negative reviews on Steam for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3.

Take-Two Terms of Service Changes

The controversy erupted after Take-Two updated its terms of service on February 28, with the changes gaining attention through discussions on Reddit and YouTube. Many users have criticized the new anti-cheat software as "spyware," alleging that it grants Take-Two root-level access to their machines. These allegations suggest that the software might collect sensitive personal information, though these remain unconfirmed as Take-Two has not yet responded to the public outcry.

The inclusion of anti-cheat software raises concerns, particularly given Borderlands' vibrant modding community, which plays a crucial role in the game's success. There are worries that targeting third-party applications could impact modding. The full impact of these EULA changes on privacy and gameplay, as well as their relevance to the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, remains unclear.

Possibly An Overreaction?

While many fans view these EULA changes as intrusive, some have come to Take-Two's defense, arguing that the updates are not significantly different from previous versions. Reddit user Librask stated, "People are overreacting for sure. The EULA is hardly any different than the one before it all the way back in 2018." It's important to remember that Take-Two's terms of service are a broad document, not all of which may directly impact Borderlands.

The EULA clearly states that Take-Two, as the product owner, has the right to manage its product, including updating the EULA. Users have the option to agree to these terms or discontinue using the services. While root-level access is common in competitive multiplayer games to combat cheating, its inclusion in Borderlands, which lacks a significant PvP component, has puzzled fans. The necessity of this software for Borderlands 4, which is yet to be released, is still up for debate.

As the Borderlands series faces this turmoil, it remains to be seen how Take-Two will address the situation and whether they will reconsider the EULA changes. Despite the controversy, the company is forging ahead with plans for the launch of Borderlands 4, set to release on September 12, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates on the game, stay tuned to our ongoing coverage.