At PAX East 2025, Gearbox Software offered a deep dive into the evolution of *Borderlands 4*, spotlighting major changes to loot distribution, co-op mechanics, and the surprising removal of the mini-map. The panel, held on May 10, featured insights from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and other key developers who walked attendees through the game’s refined systems and design philosophy.

Loot and Co-Op System Enhancements

With *Borderlands 4*, Gearbox has taken extensive player feedback from *Borderlands 3* and used it to craft a more seamless and enjoyable cooperative experience. The updated co-op lobby system now allows for fluid player entry and exit—no more waiting for specific story checkpoints to play with friends. Whether you're jumping in or out, the game adapts to keep sessions smooth and uninterrupted.

Additionally, fast travel enhancements let players instantly warp to their friends’ locations, a much-needed feature given the game’s expansive open world. Like its predecessor, *Borderlands 4* includes a level-scaling system that ensures everyone can join any lobby and be matched appropriately in terms of progression and difficulty. This extends to loot as well, where each player receives personalized reward pools tailored to their character's journey.

On the topic of loot, Gearbox is streamlining the experience by reducing the volume of legendary drops while increasing their impact and uniqueness. Instead of drowning in endless combinations, players will find fewer but more meaningful items that feel powerful and purposeful. Not every piece of gear will be randomized—mini-bosses and elite enemies drop curated rewards, giving those encounters more significance and satisfaction.

For those who enjoy grinding, *Moxxi’s Big Encore* returns with expanded replayability features. Missions and bosses can be repeated without reloading old saves, making farming both efficient and rewarding. This change eliminates tedious save-scumming practices from previous titles, offering a cleaner, more modern approach to loot acquisition.

Why There Is No Mini-Map in Borderlands 4

One of the most talked-about decisions revealed during the panel was the removal of the traditional mini-map. Given the sheer scale of *Borderlands 4*’s world, fans were curious—and some concerned—about how navigation would work without one. Randy Pitchford addressed this directly, explaining that the decision was made to encourage immersion and discourage map-centric gameplay.

“We made a big freaking world,” Pitchford said, “and a lot of the things you do can be local space, but a lot of the things you do or want to do are out there. A local space map isn’t a good way to navigate when you’re thinking about objectives and opportunities—several at the same time that might be miles away—and a compass really helps us do that.”

The new compass system replaces the mini-map by guiding players toward relevant points of interest, missions, and collectibles without cluttering the screen or pulling attention away from the action. According to Pitchford, experiencing the world organically rather than relying on a map enhances exploration and keeps players engaged in the actual gameplay.

“Play the game first and understand the choices we've made,” he added. “I think you'll see and understand once you realize how big this world is and how playing the game in the world is better than playing the map.”

Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

As launch approaches, Gearbox feels confident in the direction of *Borderlands 4*. Following the recent State of Play presentation and the announcement that the game will release two weeks earlier than initially planned, the team is ramping up promotional efforts with appearances at events like Fan Fest, Bilibili World, and Gamescom.

*Borderlands 4* is scheduled to launch on September 12, 2025, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date draws closer.