At PAX East 2025, the Borderlands 4 development team from Gearbox Software unveiled key enhancements to the game’s loot mechanics, co-op functionality, and navigation system. Discover how these changes aim to elevate player experience—and why the classic mini-map won’t be making a return.
Borderlands 4 PAX East Panel
Loot and Co-Op Overhaul
Gearbox has reimagined the co-op and loot systems in Borderlands 4 based on years of community feedback since Borderlands 3. During the PAX East 2025 panel on May 10, CEO Randy Pitchford and core developers detailed the improvements designed to make multiplayer more seamless and loot more meaningful.
The new co-op lobby system allows for instant drop-in, drop-out gameplay. Players can join or leave sessions at any time—no need to wait for mission checkpoints or specific progression points. With the game’s expansive open world, fast-travel integration lets players instantly warp to their friends’ locations, ensuring uninterrupted action.
Like its predecessor, Borderlands 4 features dynamic level scaling. This ensures that players of varying levels can join the same session, with enemy difficulty and rewards adjusted accordingly. Crucially, each player receives personalized loot drops, meaning no more争夺 over rare gear—everyone gets their own chance at valuable rewards.
On the loot front, Gearbox has refined the system to reduce complexity without sacrificing depth. The frequency of legendary item drops has been lowered, making them rarer and more impactful when obtained. These high-tier items will feel truly special, both in power and design.
Not all loot is randomized anymore. Defeating mini-bosses and major enemies now grants curated, high-value drops, reinforcing the satisfaction of overcoming tough challenges. For players who enjoy farming, Moxxi’s Big Encore returns—allowing replayability of missions and boss fights to earn additional rewards without relying on save-scumming.
Mini-Map Removal Explained
One of the most talked-about decisions revealed at the panel was the removal of the traditional mini-map. Given the game’s massive world, fans questioned how navigation would work. Pitchford emphasized that the goal is to immerse players in the environment rather than have them glued to a small map.
He explained: "We made a big freaking world, 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, and a local space map is not 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-based HUD is designed to guide players across vast distances while keeping their focus on the world around them. Pitchford encouraged players to experience the game firsthand: "Play the game first and understand the choices we've made, and I think you'll see and understand when you realise how big this world is and how playing the game in the world is better than playing the map."
With momentum building after the State of Play showcase and the surprise announcement of an earlier release date, Gearbox is ramping up its outreach. Upcoming appearances at Fan Fest, Bilibili World, Gamescom, and other major events will offer deeper dives into Borderlands 4's features.
Borderlands 4 launches on September 12, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Stay tuned for more updates—there’s plenty more to uncover. [ttpp]
