When Humor Becomes an Overabundance
The Borderlands franchise has consistently been celebrated for its quirky humor, ridiculous characters, and hyperbolic dialogue. However, with the launch of Borderlands 3, that tone felt excessive to many players – and even the creators at Gearbox acknowledged the exaggerated comedy. “At its worst, it felt like a spoof of ourselves,” the studio admitted critically in a dialogue with IGN.
Throughout the development process, there were internal uncertainties. Writer Taylor Clark recalls: “From the outset, a realistic tone was crucial for me. Sam Winkler made it abundantly clear that he would come to see me with a baseball bat if I attempted to include a meme in the game.” What seems like a humorous statement was seriously intended: jokes should not exist for their own sake but always align with the context of the Borderlands universe.
This signals a shift. While Borderlands 3 often resembled a nonstop chain of slapstick, the fourth chapter seeks to achieve a better equilibrium between humor and narrative – featuring characters that remain credible despite the absurdity. “We take our characters seriously.”
Following the joke-heavy narrative and reliance on toilet humor in Borderlands 3, Gearbox stated they have crafted a more grounded narrative for Borderlands 4, set to launch on September 12.
A key factor driving the new direction is the game’s setting. Borderlands 4 transports players to Kairos, a planet dominated by a ruthless dictator – significantly darker than the chaotic Pandora. An overly ridiculous tone would simply be out of place here.
The writers drew inspiration from an unexpected source: Star Trek: Lower Decks. Sam Winkler elaborates: “It’s a wacky, comedic series, but it works because it treats its characters with respect. That’s precisely the goal we aim to achieve.” Therefore, humor continues, but it’s anchored – characters should not be reduced to mere comic relief but should come off as genuine, even when they inhabit a chaotic environment. The objective: a world that feels consistent despite the gags and oddities, and whose narrative does not falter due to the humor. Winkler summarizes: “With Borderlands 3, we occasionally overstepped. This time, we aspire to show that it is possible to blend light-heartedness, humor, and robust characters.”
We will soon discover whether this new direction is effective: On September 12, 2025, Borderlands 4 will debut for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with the Switch 2 version following on October 3, 2025.
The article “Like a parody” – why Gearbox is changing the tone in Borderlands 4 first appeared on Global Esport News.