PAX East: Borderlands 4 Unveils Loot, Co-op, and Mini Map Updates

At PAX East 2025, Gearbox Software offered a deep dive into the evolving mechanics of *Borderlands 4*, focusing on key enhancements to loot systems, co-op functionality, and the controversial decision to remove the mini-map. The panel, held on May 10, featured insights from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and other development leads, shedding light on how the game aims to refine and elevate the franchise's signature chaos.

Loot and Co-Op Revamp

Since the release of *Borderlands 3*, player feedback has played a central role in shaping the evolution of *Borderlands 4*. One of the most notable updates is the streamlined co-op lobby system, designed to make multiplayer sessions more fluid and accessible. Players can now join or leave a session at any time without being restricted by story progression checkpoints.

Fast-traveling directly to friends' locations has also been introduced, a crucial feature given *Borderlands 4*'s expansive open world. Like its predecessor, the game will maintain a level-scaling system, ensuring that players seamlessly integrate into any lobby while remaining appropriately challenged. Additionally, each player receives their own personalized loot pool upon defeating enemies, ensuring fairness and variety in rewards.

On the loot front, Gearbox has reworked the complexity scaling to prevent players from feeling overwhelmed by excessive item combinations. While the number of legendary drops has been reduced, those that do appear are designed to feel more impactful and unique. Not every piece of loot will be randomized—mini-bosses and major enemies will offer targeted rewards, reinforcing the satisfaction of defeating challenging foes.

For players who enjoy farming gear, Moxxi’s Big Encore returns with enhanced replayability. This allows for repeated runs of missions and bosses without the need to reload previous save files, making progression more flexible and enjoyable.

No Mini-Map? Here’s Why

One of the most talked-about changes during the panel was the removal of the mini-map—a surprising move for a series known for its sprawling environments. Randy Pitchford emphasized that this decision was made to encourage exploration and immersion within the vast world of *Borderlands 4*.

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 system replaces the traditional mini-map, guiding players toward their objectives while keeping them engaged with the environment. As Pitchford noted, the goal is to have players experience the game world rather than constantly refer to a map. “Play the game first and understand the choices we've made,” he said. “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.”

As launch approaches, Gearbox appears confident in the direction of *Borderlands 4*. Fresh off the heels of the recent State of Play presentation and the announcement of an earlier release date, the team plans to continue engaging fans through events like Fan Fest, Bilibili World, and Gamescom.

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