Category: Games
August 12, 2025
How Borderlands 4 is Being Built for Co-op from the Ground Up
By Rodney King 
Summary
- Multiplayer has always been a core strength of the Borderlands series, whether online or split-screen, which is why Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up.
- Dynamic level scaling ensures that everyone can contribute, so you can always play together regardless of differences between your Vault Hunters’ levels or gear loadouts.
- Pre-order Borderlands 4 Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Super Deluxe Edition now on the Xbox Store.
We’re just a few weeks away from Borderlands 4‘s launch on September 12, 2025 for Xbox Series X|S — it won’t be long until you’re wreaking havoc across Kairos as a badass Vault Hunter and breaking free from the Timekeeper’s control! Today, I’m thrilled to reveal more details about something incredibly special to me: two-player, split-screen multiplayer in Borderlands 4.
For many of us on the development team, some of our fondest and most formative Borderlands memories are the hours we spent playing in split-screen couch co-op. The looter shooter gameplay of the Borderlands games has always been a blast while playing solo, but it feels like the fun increases exponentially when you’re playing alongside a friend or loved one. So many of us have bonded over the shared experiences that define two-player split-screen, from finally taking down a difficult boss, to getting an awesome Legendary loot drop, or even just cracking up at something one of our Vault Hunters said during a firefight.
Multiplayer has always been a core strength of the Borderlands series, whether online or split-screen—which is why Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up. We’re incredibly excited to have full crossplay support at launch so you can play with friends wherever they are, with drop-in/drop-out action for up to four players online (requires SHiFT Account*). That includes the ability to play split-screen locally while you join up with two other players online—you can even get two split-screen duos linked up to form a full party of four!
We’ve also made it easier than ever to jump into some co-op looter shooter action, from the streamlined lobby system down to the game mechanics themselves. Dynamic level scaling ensures that everyone can contribute to the carnage, so you can always play together regardless of differences between your Vault Hunters’ levels or gear loadouts. That same philosophy applies to the individual difficulty settings. You and your buddies can each tune the encounters to feel as tough or forgiving as you personally like.
You’ll also have the option to fast travel directly to other players, which can be extremely helpful when navigating Borderlands 4‘s huge, seamless world. The regions of the dangerous new planet Kairos interconnect to create the biggest expanse we’ve ever had in a Borderlands game, and you might end up exploring in a totally different direction than your co-op party. The fact that you can cruise around on your personalized Digirunner vehicle at any time, along with the new layer of verticality in the environments, makes it so that you might inadvertently put a lot of distance between you and your squad. With party-based fast travel, you can almost instantly join back up after a joyride in the opposite direction or a flubbed jump off the side of a cliff (not that I’ve ever done that, of course).
Borderlands 4 also makes for an awesome hangout game no matter how much time you have for a given play session. You’re free to explore as you see fit, and Kairos has engaging Points of Interest to discover in all directions. Shorter co-op sessions are great for claiming Points of Interest in the name of the Crimson Resistance, including safe houses that unlock new fast travel spots or silos with decommissioned Order communications balloons that let you take to the sky, scope out your next target, and aid your search for elusive Vault Key Fragments. Or, if you’re in it for the long haul, you and your party can endeavor to take back entire regions from the Timekeeper’s oppressive grip, clearing out anyone (or anything) foolish enough to get in your way.
I also want to give a quick shoutout to all the amazing Vault Hunter customization options you can unlock, because part of the co-op fun is showing off your sense of style to fellow Vault Hunters. I’ve spent hours tinkering with my combination of Vault Hunter Heads and Skins to impress my co-op pals, and it’s just as fun to see what new outfits they’ve cooked up for our latest play session.
The entire Gearbox team is beyond excited for the debut of Borderlands 4, and we can’t wait for you (and your co-op squad!) to set foot on Kairos. You can pre-order Borderlands 4 Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, and Super Deluxe Edition now on the Xbox Store, with the latter two including post-launch content. See you on Kairos, Vault Hunter!
*Online play requires Internet connection, and cross-play requires SHiFT Account. Console online play requires separate paid subscription. Terms apply.
Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition
2K
$129.99
Pre-order Borderlands 4 and receive the Gilded Glory Pack featuring a Vault Hunter Skin, a Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin!*
Explore all-new regions of Kairos with two additional Vault Hunters with the post-launch content of Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition. Experience all new story and side missions, and take on new challenges and fearsome foes! Super Deluxe Edition includes all the content of Deluxe Edition with tons more heaped on top.
Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition includes:
• Full base game
• Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*
– 1 Vault Hunter Skin
– 1 Weapon Skin
– 1 ECHO-4 Drone Skin
• Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin
• Bounty Pack Bundle**
– 4 unique areas, featuring new missions and unique bosses
– 4 Vault Cards with unique challenges and rewards
– New gear and weapons
– New Vault Hunter cosmetics
– 4 New vehicles with new cosmetics
• Ornate Order Pack
– 4 Vault Hunter Skins
– 4 Vault Hunter Heads
– 4 Vault Hunter Bodies
• Vault Hunter Pack***
– 2 new playable Vault Hunters
– 2 new Story Packs, featuring all new story and side missions
– 2 new map regions
– New gear and weapons
– New Vault Hunter cosmetics
– New ECHO-4 cosmetics
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing Mayhem across the planet.
BE A BADASS
Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of explosive weapons and powerful gear.
FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP
Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.**** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up, supporting however you want to play. Whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS
Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
*Pre-order offer available until launch, after which the Gilded Glory Pack will be available for separate purchase (base game required). Internet connection required to redeem bonus content. Items will be automatically entitled in-game at launch. Terms apply.
**Borderlands 4 Bounty Pack Bundle consists of 4 separate post-launch DLC packs. The Bounty Pack Bundle is included with the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions of Borderlands 4. The Bounty Pack Bundle, and the individual DLC packs that make up the bundle, will also be available for separate purchase at launch (base game required). Exact release timings of each DLC pack to be announced at a later date and will be subject to change. Terms apply.
***Borderlands 4 Vault Hunter Pack consists of 2 separate post-launch DLC packs. The Vault Hunter Pack is included with Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition. The Vault Hunter Pack, and the individual DLC packs that make up the bundle, will also be available for separate purchase at launch (base game required). Exact release timings of each DLC pack to be announced at a later date and will be subject to change. Terms apply.
****Online play requires Internet connection, and cross-play requires SHiFT Account. Console online play requires separate paid subscription. Terms apply.
Purchase grants a license to the digital product subject to the Terms of Service ("ToS") and Privacy Policy in game and at www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy. Access to special/bonus/online features, content, services, or functions ("Special Features"), may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or online account registration (minimum age varies). Special Features may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms in accordance with the ToS. See https://bit.ly/2K-Online-Services-Status for availability of certain Special Features. Violation of the ToS may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account.
©2025 Gearbox Software. Published by 2K Games. Developed by Gearbox. Gearbox, Borderlands, and related logos are all trademarks of Gearbox Software, LLC. 2K and the 2K logo are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition
2K
$99.99
Pre-order Borderlands 4 and receive the Gilded Glory Pack featuring a Vault Hunter Skin, a Weapon Skin, and an ECHO-4 Drone Skin!*
Take on new areas with unique missions and bosses, earn more rewards with Vault Cards, and collect all kinds of additional loot with the Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition!
Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition includes:
• Full base game
• Pre-Order Bonus: Gilded Glory Pack*
– 1 Vault Hunter Skin
– 1 Weapon Skin
– 1 ECHO-4 Drone Skin
• Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin
• Bounty Pack Bundle**
– 4 unique areas, featuring new missions and unique bosses
– 4 Vault Cards with unique challenges and rewards
– New gear and weapons
– New Vault Hunter cosmetics
– 4 New vehicles with new cosmetics
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing Mayhem across the planet.
BE A BADASS
Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of explosive weapons and powerful gear.
FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP
Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.*** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up, supporting however you want to play. Whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS
Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
*Pre-order offer available until launch, after which the Gilded Glory Pack will be available for separate purchase (base game required). Internet connection required to redeem bonus content. Items will be automatically entitled in-game at launch. Terms apply.
**Borderlands 4 Bounty Pack Bundle consists of 4 separate post-launch DLC packs. The Bounty Pack Bundle is included with the Deluxe and Super Deluxe Editions of Borderlands 4. The Bounty Pack Bundle, and the individual DLC packs that make up the bundle, will also be available for separate purchase at launch (base game required). Exact release timings of each DLC pack to be announced at a later date and will be subject to change. Terms apply.
***Online play requires Internet connection, and cross-play requires SHiFT Account. Console online play requires separate paid subscription. Terms apply.
Purchase grants a license to the digital product subject to the Terms of Service ("ToS") and Privacy Policy in game and at www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy. Access to special/bonus/online features, content, services, or functions ("Special Features"), may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or online account registration (minimum age varies). Special Features may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms in accordance with the ToS. See https://bit.ly/2K-Online-Services-Status for availability of certain Special Features. Violation of the ToS may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account.
©2025 Gearbox Software. Published by 2K Games. Developed by Gearbox. Gearbox, Borderlands, and related logos are all trademarks of Gearbox Software, LLC. 2K and the 2K logo are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Borderlands 4
2K
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.
Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.
Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing Mayhem across the planet.
BE A BADASS
Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP
Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS
Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
**Online play requires Internet connection, and cross-play requires SHiFT Account. Console online play requires separate paid subscription. Terms apply.
Purchase grants a license to the digital product subject to the Terms of Service ("ToS") and Privacy Policy in game and at www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy. Access to special/bonus/online features, content, services, or functions ("Special Features"), may require single-use serial code, additional fee, and/or online account registration (minimum age varies). Special Features may require internet connection, may not be available to all users or at all times, and may be terminated, modified, or offered under different terms in accordance with the ToS. See https://bit.ly/2K-Online-Services-Status for availability of certain Special Features. Violation of the ToS may result in restriction or termination of access to game or online account.
©2025 Gearbox Software. Published by 2K Games. Developed by Gearbox. Gearbox, Borderlands, and related logos are all trademarks of Gearbox Software, LLC. 2K and the 2K logo are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
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