Gearbox to Tone Down Borderlands 4’s Raunchy Humor, Promises Its Best Work Yet

The Future of Borderlands 4: A Shift from Toilet Humor to More Sophisticated Comedy

While we’ve seen very little of Borderlands 4 so far, all signs point to a game that’s heavily influenced by the Borderlands franchise. However, some key changes are afoot. The art style that made the series so visually distinctive appears to be taking a backseat, and narrative director Sam Winkler has confirmed that the franchise’s infamous "toilet humor" is getting a major overhaul.

Let’s be real, Borderlands 3 was a bit much even for fans of the series. It was like being stuck in the late 2000s, when overt explicitness was the ultimate marker of edginess. But we’ve all moved on since then, and it’s clear that the industry has too. Gaming has become more nuanced, more sophisticated, and more varied.

In a recent interview, Winkler mentioned his admiration for the work of some of the "funniest people he knows" on the project. He even went so far as to praise a fan’s hope for "dark humor instead of fart jokes." While he couldn’t reveal too much about the game’s content, he made it clear that Borderlands 4 isn’t just about toilet humor. It’s about creating humor that emerges naturally from the world and characters.

Winkler’s comments sparked a lively discussion on Twitter, with one particularly memorable exchange involving a potential gun called "Hawk 2A" and a fellow developer’s request to confirm its existence. Winkler’s response? "I’m not going to say there’s no toilets, but if the word ‘skibidi’ ships in the game under my watch, I’m going to cry real tears."

A New Direction for Comedy in Borderlands 4

While it’s easy to be skeptical about the potential for humor in a Borderlands game, Winkler’s comments suggest a more thoughtful approach. By grounding the humor in the game’s world and characters, the team can create humor that’s more nuanced, more clever, and more memorable.

Ultimately, it’s a promising sign for fans of the series. Who knows what the future of Borderlands 4 holds, but one thing is clear: the series is evolving in a positive direction. With a focus on more sophisticated comedy and a more reactive, grounded world, Borderlands 4 is poised to be a game-changer.

The Wait for Borderlands 4 Continues

For now, all we can do is wait for more information about the game. With a release date set for 2025, the wait is likely to be a long one, but one that will be well worth it. As we continue to follow the development of Borderlands 4, one thing is certain: it’s going to be a wild ride.