Randy Pitchford has taken to social media to address the growing concerns surrounding the performance of the PC version of Borderlands 4. In response to discontented players, he has suggested that those dissatisfied with their experience can pursue a refund through Steam. Following the game’s significant launch on the platform last week, Pitchford’s comments have sparked confusion, particularly regarding the absence of a field of view (FOV) slider in the console version. He has also asserted that the game’s servers could not have been overwhelmed by player numbers alone, and even encouraged players to “code your own engine and show us how it’s done, please,” while branding Borderlands 4 as “a premium game made for premium gamers.”
Performance Concerns and Community Reactions
Currently, Borderlands 4 holds a mixed review rating on Steam, with many negative remarks focusing on performance issues. Digital Foundry’s initial analysis has highlighted significant stuttering problems on PC, advising against the use of the ‘Badass’ graphics setting, which raises questions about the game’s performance under Unreal Engine 5.
Despite the backlash, Pitchford remains undeterred, responding to complaints with a series of tweets aimed at guiding players on how to enhance their gaming experience. He encourages users to set aside their skepticism towards graphics technologies like DLSS and to utilize these tools for improved performance. However, his responses have also taken a more pointed tone, suggesting players either wait for a price drop or consider upgrading their hardware if they are unhappy with the current experience.
“I’m not trying to argue either,” Pitchford stated in one tweet. “I was offering to help you if you are not satisfied with your experience and want some help making trade-offs. I’m trying to help users understand that the software is the software and there are options available right now for people who want to play to make significant and dramatic trade-offs between fps, resolution, and graphics features.”
He further elaborated that while the software will continue to receive updates, it is unlikely to undergo radical changes. Instead, he emphasized the inevitability of hardware improvements over time, drawing a parallel to the evolution seen since the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Pitchford’s responses reflect a desire to assist players in optimizing their gaming experience, asking for specifics about their hardware and performance expectations.
In a notable exchange, Pitchford addressed a player who labeled him as “unbelievably insufferable,” responding with a calm inquiry about how he could be more helpful. His willingness to engage directly with the community demonstrates a commitment to addressing concerns, even as some players express frustration with his suggestions to utilize frame generation and other performance-enhancing features.
Pitchford’s analogy comparing gaming hardware to vehicles—stating, “I would not put a Ferrari engine in a monster truck and expect it to drive like a Ferrari”—illustrates his perspective on the importance of matching hardware capabilities with game performance. He reiterated that the game is designed to provide a satisfactory experience at 30fps and to excel at 60fps, while also providing numerous options for players to customize their settings according to their preferences.
As discussions around the game’s performance continue, Pitchford’s approach raises questions about whether his responses are helping or hindering the situation. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Gearbox’s parent company Take-Two, acknowledged Pitchford’s controversial nature but expressed admiration for his passion and creativity in game development.
Amidst the ongoing dialogue, Gearbox remains focused on improving Borderlands 4, particularly its performance on PC. An Nvidia Optimization guide has been released on Steam, offering players advice on how to adjust their graphics settings for better performance. However, users have reported mixed results, highlighting the complexities of optimizing game performance.
Gearbox has also cautioned players about the need for shader recompilation whenever graphics settings are altered, advising them to allow sufficient playtime to accurately assess performance changes. For those diving into Borderlands 4, resources such as updated SHiFT codes and interactive maps are readily available to enhance the gaming experience.
‘My Advice to Users Is to Accept Reality and Tune, or to Not Play’ — Randy Pitchford Is at the ‘Get a Refund From Steam’ Stage of the Borderlands 4 PC Performance Backlash
Randy Pitchford has taken to social media to address the growing concerns surrounding the performance of the PC version of Borderlands 4. In response to discontented players, he has suggested that those dissatisfied with their experience can pursue a refund through Steam. Following the game’s significant launch on the platform last week, Pitchford’s comments have sparked confusion, particularly regarding the absence of a field of view (FOV) slider in the console version. He has also asserted that the game’s servers could not have been overwhelmed by player numbers alone, and even encouraged players to “code your own engine and show us how it’s done, please,” while branding Borderlands 4 as “a premium game made for premium gamers.”
Performance Concerns and Community Reactions
Currently, Borderlands 4 holds a mixed review rating on Steam, with many negative remarks focusing on performance issues. Digital Foundry’s initial analysis has highlighted significant stuttering problems on PC, advising against the use of the ‘Badass’ graphics setting, which raises questions about the game’s performance under Unreal Engine 5.
Despite the backlash, Pitchford remains undeterred, responding to complaints with a series of tweets aimed at guiding players on how to enhance their gaming experience. He encourages users to set aside their skepticism towards graphics technologies like DLSS and to utilize these tools for improved performance. However, his responses have also taken a more pointed tone, suggesting players either wait for a price drop or consider upgrading their hardware if they are unhappy with the current experience.
“I’m not trying to argue either,” Pitchford stated in one tweet. “I was offering to help you if you are not satisfied with your experience and want some help making trade-offs. I’m trying to help users understand that the software is the software and there are options available right now for people who want to play to make significant and dramatic trade-offs between fps, resolution, and graphics features.”
He further elaborated that while the software will continue to receive updates, it is unlikely to undergo radical changes. Instead, he emphasized the inevitability of hardware improvements over time, drawing a parallel to the evolution seen since the launch of Cyberpunk 2077. Pitchford’s responses reflect a desire to assist players in optimizing their gaming experience, asking for specifics about their hardware and performance expectations.
In a notable exchange, Pitchford addressed a player who labeled him as “unbelievably insufferable,” responding with a calm inquiry about how he could be more helpful. His willingness to engage directly with the community demonstrates a commitment to addressing concerns, even as some players express frustration with his suggestions to utilize frame generation and other performance-enhancing features.
Pitchford’s analogy comparing gaming hardware to vehicles—stating, “I would not put a Ferrari engine in a monster truck and expect it to drive like a Ferrari”—illustrates his perspective on the importance of matching hardware capabilities with game performance. He reiterated that the game is designed to provide a satisfactory experience at 30fps and to excel at 60fps, while also providing numerous options for players to customize their settings according to their preferences.
As discussions around the game’s performance continue, Pitchford’s approach raises questions about whether his responses are helping or hindering the situation. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Gearbox’s parent company Take-Two, acknowledged Pitchford’s controversial nature but expressed admiration for his passion and creativity in game development.
Amidst the ongoing dialogue, Gearbox remains focused on improving Borderlands 4, particularly its performance on PC. An Nvidia Optimization guide has been released on Steam, offering players advice on how to adjust their graphics settings for better performance. However, users have reported mixed results, highlighting the complexities of optimizing game performance.
Gearbox has also cautioned players about the need for shader recompilation whenever graphics settings are altered, advising them to allow sufficient playtime to accurately assess performance changes. For those diving into Borderlands 4, resources such as updated SHiFT codes and interactive maps are readily available to enhance the gaming experience.