As the launch of Borderlands 4 draws near, fans eagerly anticipate diving into its promised seamless open world filled with new traversal methods and, of course, unparalleled looter-shooter action. Among the most pressing questions for many modern gamers, however, revolve around connectivity: Can you bring your entire squad, regardless of their preferred gaming machine? And can your personal progress follow you across platforms? Let`s dissect the technical realities.
The Confirmed Connectivity: Borderlands 4 Cross-Play
Good news, Vault Hunters! Gearbox Software has definitively stated that Borderlands 4 will feature full cross-play functionality across all launch platforms. This means whether you`re on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PC, or even the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 (which joins the mayhem a few weeks later), you can team up with friends, family, or even complete strangers, to wreak havoc and collect ludicrous amounts of loot.
This is a significant step forward, dismantling traditional platform barriers that have often fragmented gaming communities. The ability to connect with anyone, anywhere, enhances the core cooperative experience of Borderlands, ensuring your unique squad composition is limited only by your imagination, not your hardware.
A Small Price for Universal Play: The SHiFT Account
Before you jump headfirst into cross-platform mayhem, there`s a minor technicality: you`ll need a SHiFT account. For all practical purposes, this is Gearbox`s proprietary online service. While the thought of yet another gaming account might elicit a collective sigh from some, it`s a necessary gateway for cross-play. Beyond connecting you with players on other ecosystems, SHiFT accounts are also your portal to redeeming those coveted SHiFT codes – often distributed during promotions for exclusive in-game items. So, consider it a dual-purpose key to both companionship and rare gear.
The Elusive Link: Borderlands 4 Cross-Progression (Cross-Save)
While cross-play is a certainty, the same cannot be said for cross-progression, commonly known as cross-save functionality. As of this analysis, Gearbox has remained tight-lipped on whether your diligently accumulated gear, meticulously leveled characters, and completed questlines will transfer between platforms. Looking back at the franchise`s recent history, neither Borderlands 3 nor Tiny Tina`s Wonderlands supported cross-saves. This precedent paints a rather pragmatic picture.
The absence of cross-progression means that if you own Borderlands 4 on, say, your PlayStation 5 and later decide to play it on PC, you`d likely be starting a completely new game. This can be a point of contention for players who invest hundreds of hours into their characters, effectively tying them to a single platform. From a business perspective, it`s also worth noting that even if cross-saves were implemented, you would still need to purchase a copy of Borderlands 4 for each platform you wish to play on – a common industry practice that ensures digital storefronts remain well-stocked, even if your inventory doesn`t.
Connecting the Chaos: Release Dates and the Grand Vision
Borderlands 4 is slated for launch on September 12 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Nintendo Switch 2 players can join the fray a few weeks later on October 3. The confirmed cross-play capabilities directly support the game`s ambition of a seamless, expansive open world. The more players you can easily connect with, the richer and more dynamic that world becomes. New traversal methods, combined with a wider pool of fellow Vault Hunters, promise an unparalleled sense of cooperative exploration and emergent gameplay.
Ultimately, Borderlands 4 stands poised to deliver the chaotic, character-driven looter-shooter experience fans adore. While cross-play addresses a significant demand for unified multiplayer, the quiet on cross-progression serves as a subtle reminder that the ultimate convenience for multi-platform gamers remains a frontier yet to be fully conquered by all developers. Nevertheless, prepare your SHiFT accounts, Vault Hunters – the Borderlands are about to get a whole lot more crowded, and for good reason.
Callum Darby