Short Thought: I Hate Being a Borderlands Fan

 I have loved the Borderlands series ever since I gunned down my first Psycho. It’s the game that practically invented the looter shooter genre, and every time I see a title that has guns with randomised stats, rarity, and unique effects, I just think they’re ripping off the greatest example of what it means to be a gun loot goblin. I consider Borderlands 3 the best in the series, if only they had tightened up on the writing. I’ve read fan fiction that gives proper respect to the characters more than what’s in the official game.

But… ugh… I hate being a Borderlands fan at the same time because… how do I put it while trying to sound nice or neutral—— ah screw it, I dislike Randy Pitchford being the face of Gearbox and Borderlands’ promotion and marketing.

There was a time when I tolerated the man… mostly because I barely knew who he was. I didn’t even remember that Gearbox was the one to finally get Duke Nukem Forever out the door. However, I finally realised who this guy was at the Borderlands 3 reveal in 2019 and I actually gave him the benefit of the doubt once upon a time. With the technical difficulties (the whole Angel thing not working and the reveal trailer), I just thought his card tricks were just for buying time. I didn’t know a lot about him, and felt a little upset that people were making fun of him.

Then… I started finding out too much about him.

It feels more recent to me, but ever since 2019, I’ve come to realise that he really should not be in charge of anything or at least be the face associated with Borderlands. He has done some really messed-up things, such as the whole USB incident in 2018 and the alleged assault on David Eddings, voice of Claptrap.

Now, every time I see the man, I shiver in disgust and skip all the parts that have Pitchford in it. This kind of sucks because I want to know more about Borderlands 4, but Pitchford is there looming over the project while making insane tweets, arguing with smaller developers, and posting stuff that’s terrible for PR almost constantly.

Still, Pitchford has done some cool things that have benefited people, such as Borderlands Science and partnering with Direct Relief to provide aid to those affected by COVID-19, but I just can’t stand seeing him anymore. I now prefer getting my Borderlands news from YouTubers like Ki11er Six and Joltzdude139.

I still love Borderlands, and I am planning on getting Borderlands 4 somehow (probably on sale), but I don’t want to be reminded that Randy Pitchford is why the series I love exists.