Borderlands 4 Performance Issues Plague Console and PC Players, Sparking Controversy
Borderlands 4 is facing a wave of criticism due to widespread performance issues on both console and PC platforms. Players are reporting frame rate drops, stuttering, and general instability, leading to frustration and disappointment with the latest installment in the popular looter-shooter franchise. The situation has been further complicated by comments from Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford.
Console Performance Problems and Workarounds
Console players, including those on the PS5 Pro, are experiencing performance degradation the longer they play Borderlands 4. Reports indicate fluctuating frame rates and gameplay stuttering. While a memory leak is suspected, this remains unconfirmed. A temporary workaround suggested by Randy Pitchford involves quitting and restarting the game periodically.
“Known issue of perf dropping on PS5 pro after several hours of continuous play,” he said. “Workaround until we patch: Quit game and restart. Sorry for the friction!”
PC Performance Woes and Pitchford's Response
PC gamers are also encountering significant performance challenges, even on high-end hardware like the RTX 5090. Players are struggling to achieve stable frame rates at high resolutions and graphics settings. Pitchford has attributed these issues to "too-old PC hardware," stating that Borderlands 4 is a "premium game" made for "premium gamers." This statement has sparked controversy and accusations of alienating a large segment of the player base.
He further added that the game is "pretty damn optimal" and that players should adjust their settings to balance FPS, resolution, and rendering features. This contrasts with reports from outlets like Digital Foundry, who have identified "pervasive" issues such as stuttering and frame rate drops even on high-end PCs.
Steam Reviews and Player Sentiment
The performance issues have negatively impacted Borderlands 4's reception on Steam, where it currently holds a "Mixed" review rating. Many players cite performance, optimization, and crashes as major reasons for not recommending the game. Despite these problems, the game has achieved impressive player numbers on Steam, surpassing 300,000 concurrent players.
Optimization Attempts and Nvidia Guide
Gearbox has released an Nvidia Optimization guide on Steam, offering advice on how to adjust graphics settings for better performance on PC. However, user reports on the effectiveness of these optimizations have been mixed. Gearbox has also advised players to play for at least 15 minutes after changing graphics settings to allow shaders to recompile.
The Bigger Picture: Unreal Engine 5 and Optimization
The performance struggles of Borderlands 4 echo similar issues encountered in other Unreal Engine 5 games. This has led to concerns about the optimization of the engine and the challenges developers face in delivering smooth gameplay experiences on a wide range of hardware configurations. The controversy surrounding Randy Pitchford's comments highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency between developers and players when addressing performance issues.