Borderlands 2, the popular looter shooter, is currently available for free download and permanent retention on Steam. To sweeten the deal, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford is even offering extra in-game loot keys.
However, despite this generous offer and the recent positive news of Borderlands 4 releasing earlier than anticipated, the game continues to face a wave of negative reviews. This ongoing “review bombing” largely stems from a controversial new privacy policy by Gearbox’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive.
The Cause of the Negative Reviews: Privacy Concerns
The recent surge in negative feedback from the Borderlands fanbase has multiple contributing factors.
Take-Two’s Privacy Policy Backlash
The primary catalyst for the widespread negativity is a recent change to Take-Two Interactive’s privacy policy and terms of service. Many players have expressed significant worry regarding the collection of their personal information under these new guidelines. This concern has directly led to an onslaught of negative reviews across Borderlands titles on Steam.
For instance, Borderlands 2 still maintains an “overwhelmingly negative” recent rating, even with the ongoing limited-time free offer.
Pitchford’s “Real Fan” Comment
Adding to the discontent, Randy Pitchford previously made a controversial comment suggesting that “a real fan” would purchase the upcoming Borderlands 4, even if it carried an $80 price tag. While this particular comment seems to be less of a current driver for the negative reviews compared to the privacy policy, it contributed to a broader sense of frustration within the community.
Free Game and Loot Keys: An Attempt to Pacify?
Despite the negative sentiment, Pitchford is actively promoting the free game offer and providing in-game incentives.
Borderlands games on sale on Steam starting now. Borderlands 2 is FREE this weekend on Steam! Free is free, yo! Get it and check it out if you haven't played it. It's an oldie, but a goodie 🙂 https://t.co/GPJ03fuU1U pic.twitter.com/SBonZrVACM
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) June 5, 2025
Promoting the Free Offer
“Borderlands 2 is FREE this weekend on Steam!” Pitchford announced on Twitter, enthusiastically sharing the limited-time offer. He encouraged fans, “Free is free, yo! Get it and check it out if you haven’t played it. It’s an oldie, but a goodie.” This direct appeal aims to attract new players and perhaps re-engage existing fans with the core gameplay that made the series popular.
Bonus Golden Keys
In an additional gesture, Pitchford also shared a “SHiFT code for free loot keys.” This code unlocks three Golden Keys in Borderlands, The Pre-Sequel, 2, 3, and Wonderlands, allowing players to access valuable in-game loot. The code provided is 96XTT-STHJJ-JJTTT-TBJT3-CBTZX. “Good luck, and happy looting!” he wrote, seemingly hoping these in-game bonuses would soften the community’s stance.
Continued Backlash Despite Gestures
Unfortunately for Gearbox and Take-Two, these goodwill gestures have not quelled the wave of negative reviews.
Negative Reviews Persist and Increase
A look at Steam’s recent reviews bar graph for Borderlands 2 reveals that the number of negative reviews actually increased on the day the game was first offered for free and the day after. This spike demonstrates that the community’s complaints remain strongly focused on the controversial privacy policy and terms of service. This indicates that free content alone is not enough to overcome fundamental concerns about data handling.
Shift in Player Focus
Interestingly, players seem less annoyed by Pitchford’s “real fan” comments this time around. When Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands was temporarily free, Pitchford’s emphasis on “real fans who may be cost sensitive” also drew criticism. However, the current backlash is predominantly centered on the privacy policy, suggesting a more serious and deeply rooted concern among the player base.
Borderlands 2 will remain free on Steam until June 8, 2025. Players interested in acquiring the game permanently are advised to claim it before the deadline.
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