The Borderlands series is facing a wave of negative reviews after publisher Take-Two Interactive updated its End User License Agreement. Discover how the gaming community is responding and what this could mean for the future of the franchise.
Borderlands Games Receive "Mixed" and "Mostly Negative" Recent Reviews
Take-Two Updates Terms of Service
Borderlands titles are being review-bombed after players discovered Take-Two Interactive had modified its End User License Agreement. As noted by Reddit user Noob4Head on May 18th, Steam ratings for Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 have been flooded with negative feedback following these updates.
Take-Two's terms of service page indicates it was last revised on February 28th. The issue gained momentum when various Reddit users and YouTube creators drew attention to the changes, describing the newly added anti-cheat software as "spyware."
According to user reports, Take-Two's revised EULA grants kernel-level access to players' systems under the guise of anti-cheat protection. This could potentially allow the collection of personal data including passwords and phone numbers. It's worth noting these allegations remain unconfirmed, as Take-Two has not yet issued an official statement addressing the controversy.
The anti-cheat implementation raises additional concerns since modding has been integral to Borderlands' success. Restricting third-party applications might impact this vibrant community. Whether these EULA adjustments will lead to privacy concerns or gameplay restrictions—or if they're preparatory measures for Borderlands 4—remains unclear.
A Potential Overreaction?
While many fans view these changes as intrusive, some have defended Take-Two, arguing the updated EULA differs little from previous versions. Reddit user Librask noted, "People are definitely overreacting. The current EULA is nearly identical to the 2018 version." Additionally, the terms of service constitute a general document, meaning not all provisions may apply specifically to Borderlands.
The document explicitly states that as the product owner, Take-Two reserves the right to update the EULA, while users maintain the option to accept the terms or discontinue using the service.
Kernel-level access is commonplace in competitive multiplayer titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Rainbow Six: Siege as anti-cheat measures. However, Borderlands lacks a significant PvP competitive scene (outside of speedrunning communities), leaving players puzzled about the software's inclusion. With Borderlands 4 still in development, whether this proves necessary remains an open question.
As the Borderlands community debates these developments, all eyes are on Take-Two to see how they'll respond—and whether they'll reconsider the controversial changes. Meanwhile, development continues for the next main installment in the lootershooter series.
Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. For the latest updates about the game, explore our coverage below!
