Summary
- Borderlands 4's Creative Director Graeme Tiggins reveals that the new Borderlands game will not be bringing back Mayhem Modifiers.
- Tiggins expressed his disappointment in the mechanic, suggesting that it only "adds little wrinkles to enemies" and lacked punishing effects.
- Borderlands 4 will feature plenty of changes for the newest game, including the "ordinance" system for grenades and heavy weapons and a new planet to explore.
Borderlands 4's Creative Director has revealed that the newest entry in the popular looter-shooter franchise will not be including Mayhem Mode modifiers. Gearbox has given fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the impending launch of the long-awaited fourth numbered entry in the series, showing off some early teasers of its gameplay. A Gameplay Deep Dive trailer introduced fans to the gameplay for two of its Vault Hunters, showing off Vex the Siren and Rafa the Exo-Soldier. Now, a Gearbox executive is sharing a major change to a popular game mode.
Borderlands 3's Mayhem Mode included a wide variety of different modifiers for players to ramp up the challenge. After clearing the game for the first time, players can change everything from the damage dealt by enemies to special attacks used by enemies after losing HP. Players are also able to obtain special "Mayhem Gear" by turning on Borderlands 3's Mayhem Modifiers, offering powerful exclusive weapons and grenades with damage-buffing effects. A new update from Borderlands 4's Creative Director, however, now suggests that Mayhem Modifiers may not be making a comeback.
Borderlands 4 Has Changed Its Release Date
Gearbox Software suddenly changes the release date for Borderlands 4, and the long-awaited looter shooter is coming sooner than expected.
An update from Borderlands 4 Creative Director Graeme Tiggins suggests that Mayhem Modifiers will not be returning to the franchise's next installment. Tiggins referred to the modifiers as "traits that add little wrinkles to enemies," suggesting that the changes did not make meaningful changes to Borderlands' combat. The Creative Director also referred to the effects as "not punishing" in the sense that Mayhem Modifiers were intended. Tiggins did not specify how Borderlands 4 will make its combat more challenging for Mayhem Mode with the absence of Mayhem Modifiers.
Borderlands 4 Will Not Feature Mayhem Modifiers
Gearbox has already teased several major changes coming to the franchise's core gameplay with Borderlands 4. The newest Borderlands will introduce a new "ordinance" system for the game's heavy weapons and grenades, no longer relying on ammo. The developer also revealed that it would be adjusting drop rates for its in-game weapons and gear, making Legendary items harder for players to acquire in Borderlands 4. Borderlands 4 is officially scheduled to release later this year on September 12.
Gameplay won't be the only thing changing with Borderlands 4 as Gearbox has given players an early look into the story of the newest game. Borderlands 4 will whisk players away from Pandora to a brand-new planet, exploring the war-torn world of Kairos. The Gameplay Deep Dive trailer also introduced players to the main antagonist of Borderlands 4, teasing The Timekeeper as the ruler of Kairos that players will need to topple on their hunt for the Vault. Borderlands 4 looks to be bringing lots to the table to please fans of the franchise when it launches later this year.
Borderlands 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
- Released
- September 12, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
