Borderlands 4 performance issues have become a major talking point in the gaming community just days after the highly anticipated sequel’s launch on September 12, 2025. Tech analysis experts at Digital Foundry have completed their investigation into console performance, revealing troubling findings that have sparked industry-wide discussions about launch optimization standards.
The Console Performance Crisis
Digital Foundry’s comprehensive analysis reveals that Borderlands 4 experiences a gradual but significant degradation in framerate after just 30 minutes to an hour of continuous gameplay. This problem affects all major console platforms, including PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X, which should theoretically handle the Unreal Engine 5-powered title with ease.
The performance deterioration manifests as substantial framerate drops, with the game falling into “dire mid-30fps passages of play” after extended sessions. Tom Morgan from Digital Foundry described the situation as “too intrusive on the overall experience, too regular an interruption” for players seeking smooth 60fps gameplay.
Gearbox’s Controversial Workaround
Gearbox development chief Randy Pitchford acknowledged the Borderlands 4 performance issues on social media, offering what many consider an inadequate temporary solution. His recommendation? Simply quit the game and restart it completely. While this workaround does temporarily restore performance, it has drawn significant criticism from both technical experts and the gaming community.
Digital Foundry’s Tom Morgan didn’t mince words in his assessment: “Resetting the game every hour should really not be an expected solution for players.” This sentiment echoes the frustration felt by many players who paid premium prices for what they expected to be a polished gaming experience.
Technical Analysis and Root Causes
The underlying cause appears to be memory-related issues within the Unreal Engine 5 implementation. Even after a completely fresh system boot, Borderlands 4 remains prone to framerate drops, suggesting deeper optimization problems beyond simple memory leaks. Each console platform experiences “sizeable, sub-60fps lurches given enough time on the clock,” making it a persistent rather than isolated issue.
PC players aren’t immune to performance problems either. Initial Digital Foundry analysis of the PC version revealed significant stutter issues, particularly when running the game’s “Badass” graphics setting. Gearbox has responded with optimization guides and advice about shader compilation, though user reports indicate mixed results.
Industry Response and Player Reaction
The gaming community’s reaction has been swift and largely negative. Borderlands 4 currently maintains a mixed review rating on Steam, with performance concerns dominating player feedback. The situation has prompted calls for emergency patches and raised questions about modern game launch standards.
Tom Morgan from Digital Foundry specifically called for an emergency patch, emphasizing that “a patch cannot come soon enough.” This urgency reflects not just technical concerns but also the broader implications for player trust and franchise reputation.
Current Solutions and Workarounds
While waiting for official patches, players have discovered several temporary fixes for Borderlands 4 performance issues:
- Regular game restarts every 30-60 minutes to restore framerate
- Clearing shader cache folders on PC installations
- Running system cleanup tools to clear various cache files
- Adjusting graphics settings away from “Badass” preset on PC
- Allowing 15+ minutes after changing settings for shader recompilation
Looking Forward: Patch Expectations
Gearbox has acknowledged that addressing PC and console performance is a “top priority” for the studio. Recent patches have tackled some PC crashes, and the development team promises more comprehensive fixes are on the way. However, the timeline for resolving the fundamental performance degradation issue remains unclear.
The situation highlights broader industry challenges with Unreal Engine 5 optimization and the pressure to meet launch deadlines. Despite Borderlands 4’s “huge technical upgrades” and ambitious scope, the performance problems at launch demonstrate that even experienced developers can struggle with modern engine implementations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Borderlands 4 performance get worse over time?
The issue appears to be related to memory management problems in the Unreal Engine 5 implementation, causing gradual performance degradation during extended play sessions on all console platforms.
Does restarting the game actually fix performance issues?
Yes, quitting and restarting Borderlands 4 temporarily restores performance, but tech experts criticize this as an unacceptable long-term solution for players.
Which platforms are affected by Borderlands 4 performance problems?
The performance issues affect PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC platforms, with console versions experiencing the most significant problems.
When will Gearbox release a patch for these issues?
Gearbox has stated that performance fixes are a “top priority,” but no specific timeline has been provided for when comprehensive patches will be released.
Are there any temporary solutions for PC players?
PC players can try clearing shader cache folders, running system cleanup tools, avoiding the “Badass” graphics preset, and allowing sufficient time for shader recompilation after changing settings.
How long can you play before needing to restart the game?
Performance typically begins degrading after 30 minutes to an hour of continuous gameplay, with more significant framerate drops occurring during longer sessions.
Has Digital Foundry recommended any specific solutions?
Digital Foundry confirmed that restarting the game restores performance but strongly criticized this approach, calling for emergency patches rather than workarounds.
Conclusion
The Borderlands 4 performance issues represent a significant challenge for both Gearbox and the broader gaming industry. While the game showcases impressive technical ambitions with Unreal Engine 5, the fundamental problems with performance degradation have overshadowed many of its achievements. The controversy surrounding the “restart every hour” solution highlights the gap between developer expectations and player standards for modern gaming experiences. As the community awaits comprehensive patches, this situation serves as a reminder that technical polish should match creative ambition in today’s competitive gaming landscape.