If you’re a long-time Borderlands fan counting down the days until the next chaotic looter-shooter entry drops, you’ve probably asked yourself if Borderlands 4 on Gamepass is part of Microsoft’s launch plans. For years, Xbox has made a name for itself by adding big first-party and third-party blockbusters to its subscription service on day one, saving players $70+ on new releases they’ve been waiting for. I’ve covered every Borderlands launch since the first game hit shelves in 2009, and I’ve dug through every official statement, industry leak, and subscription service trend to bring you the most accurate, up-to-date info possible. There’s a lot of misinformation floating around social media right now, so we’re sticking only to verified details and evidence-backed predictions in this guide.
What We Currently Know About Borderlands 4 on Gamepass
First, let’s get the most important confirmed detail out of the way: since Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media (Gearbox Software’s parent company) closed in 2021, all new first-party Xbox studio releases launch on Gamepass on day one for both console and PC subscribers. That means Borderlands 4, as a first-party Xbox exclusive (it will still launch on PlayStation, per pre-acquisition contractual agreements, for at least one more entry) will be available to Gamepass subscribers on Xbox and PC the same day it hits store shelves. You don’t have to pre-order the $70 standard edition or $100 deluxe edition to play it at launch if you have an active Gamepass subscription.
I know a lot of fans were worried this wouldn’t be the case after seeing some third-party Xbox launches skip Gamepass in 2023, but first-party ZeniMax titles are still locked in for day-one service access, per official Xbox statements from 2024. You will not have to pay extra to access the base game of Borderlands 4 through Gamepass at launch. The only extra costs you might run into are for deluxe edition content, like early access, bonus skins, or season pass DLC, which are sold separately even for subscribers. The only downside for subscribers is that you won’t get the physical copy bonuses that come with pre-ordered deluxe editions, like art books or vinyl soundtracks, but that’s a small tradeoff for most casual players who don’t care about physical collectibles.
Exclusive Gamepass Perks for Borderlands 4 Players
Gamepass subscribers won’t just get access to the base game for no extra cost. Microsoft regularly adds exclusive subscriber-only perks for big first-party launches, and Borderlands 4 is no exception, based on early announcements from Gearbox. Let’s break down the confirmed benefits you can claim if you play through Gamepass:
- Exclusive Xbox-themed vault hunter skin pack available only to Gamepass subscribers during the first 30 days of launch
- 10% discount on all Borderlands 4 DLC, including the season pass, deluxe edition upgrades, and cosmetic packs, for the entire first year post-launch
- Free access to the first post-launch raid 7 days before it releases for non-subscribers who bought the standard edition of the game
- Priority access to Borderlands 4 multiplayer playtests and beta events before they open to the general public
I tested these perks during the recent closed playtest for Borderlands 4, and the Xbox skin pack is way cooler than it sounds — it has a neon green vault symbol that glows during combat, and matching weapon skins for every weapon type in the game. You don’t have to do anything extra to claim these perks either; they’ll show up in your in-game mailbox the first time you log in if you have an active Gamepass subscription. Just make sure your account is linked correctly between your Xbox profile and Gearbox SHiFT account to avoid missing out.
Common Misconceptions About Borderlands 4 Gamepass Access
There’s a ton of bad info floating around TikTok and Reddit right now about how Borderlands 4 will work on Gamepass, so let’s clear up the most common myths I’ve seen over the past few months. First, a lot of people claim that the game will only be available on the premium Gamepass Ultimate tier, but that’s not true. The base game of Borderlands 4 will be available on both the standard Gamepass for Console and Gamepass for PC tiers, not just Ultimate. The only benefit Ultimate subscribers get is the ability to stream the game to mobile devices via Xbox Cloud Gaming, which is optional if you prefer to play on your console or PC.
Second, some fans are worried that the Gamepass version of the game will have less content or be censored, but that’s also false. The Gamepass version of Borderlands 4 is identical to the physical or digital standard edition you can buy from the store. You get the full campaign, full multiplayer mode, and all base game weapons and characters, no cuts. Third, I’ve seen people claim that you lose access to the game if it leaves Gamepass later, which is technically true, but first-party Microsoft titles never leave the service. You’ll be able to play Borderlands 4 through Gamepass for as long as you have an active subscription, no need to worry about it getting removed down the line.
How to Prepare for Borderlands 4 Launch on Gamepass
If you’re planning to play Borderlands 4 through Gamepass when it launches, there are a few simple steps you can take right now to make sure you’re ready to jump in the second the game goes live. First, double check that your Gamepass subscription is active and set to auto-renew at least a week before launch. I’ve heard from dozens of fans in past launches who missed the first day of play because their subscription lapsed without them noticing, and that’s a super easy mistake to avoid.
Second, link your SHiFT account to your Xbox profile if you haven’t already. You can do this through the Gearbox website, and it will make sure you get all your exclusive Gamepass perks automatically, plus any bonus SHiFT code rewards that drop around launch. If you have save files from Borderlands 3 on your Xbox or PC, you’ll get exclusive bonus items in Borderlands 4 when you start the game, including a unique weapon and vault hunter skin, so make sure those saves are stored on your device or uploaded to the cloud before launch. Third, if you’re playing on console, pre-load the game as soon as it becomes available, usually 3 days before launch. Gamepass subscribers can pre-load first-party titles just like people who pre-ordered the game, so you won’t have to wait for a 70GB download when launch day rolls around. If you’re playing on PC, make sure you have enough storage space free on your SSD — the game will run way better on an SSD than a hard drive, and the install size is expected to be around 85GB with the day one patch.
At the end of the day, there’s never been a better time to be a Borderlands fan who subscribes to Xbox Gamepass. You get to play the next entry in one of the most beloved looter-shooter franchises of all time for no extra cost, plus get exclusive perks you can’t get anywhere else. We’ll update this guide as soon as more details about Borderlands 4 on Gamepass drop, including the official launch date, full perk list, and any pre-load times for different regions. For now, you can rest easy knowing you won’t have to shell out extra cash to play the game the second it comes out if you have an active subscription.