At PAX, the developers of Borderlands 4 shared new details about the upcoming title, building on what was previewed in the Gamescom announcement trailer. While they did not disclose extensive specifics, they confirmed that the game will continue the series’ tradition of featuring four new Vault Hunters, maintaining the franchise’s core structure.
Randy Varnell, the chief creative officer, reaffirmed that Borderlands 4 will introduce four fresh Vault Hunters. This follows the pattern established by previous games, including the Pre-Sequel, where each installment has offered a new set of characters to choose from, ensuring consistency in the game’s player class options.
Creative director Graeme Timmins elaborated on the design philosophy behind these characters, explaining that they aim to explore fundamental player fantasies. Past examples include soldier and mage archetypes, with each Vault Hunter representing a distinct class that aligns with these themes. The goal is to innovate within these established concepts while keeping true to the series’ roots.
Timmins also discussed how Gearbox plans to evolve the character designs over time. Although they strive to maintain the core identity of each class archetype, they introduce new elements and twists to avoid repetition. For example, while previous Sirens were more ranged, the new iteration in Borderlands 3, Amara, focused on melee combat, showcasing the developers’ efforts to refresh the gameplay experience.
The developers are also balancing approachability with complexity in their design process. Timmins highlighted the importance of ensuring that characters are both engaging and manageable, without making them overly complicated. Players will be able to see how these design choices play out when Borderlands 4 is released in 2025.
