Gearbox CEO, Randy Pitchford, has spoken out about the review bombing of Borderlands games on Steam, and it’s doesn’t look like good news for the existing Gearbox games on the platform.
In light of the news that the upcoming Borderlands 3 will be an Epic Games Store exclusive, fans have taken to Steam to review bomb its current Borderlands titles in way of protesting the exclusivity.
Steam has yet to mitigate the flood of negative reviews, and Pitchford isn’t happy about Valve’s handling of the situation.
On Twitter, Pitchford announced that he’s considering re-evaluating the current Gearbox games available through Steam, saying: “Ironically, that this misuse is possible and that Steam has no interest in correcting this misuse makes me kind of happy about 2k’s decision and makes me want to reconsider Gearbox Publishing’s current posture on the platform.”
Ironically, that this misuse is possible and that Steam has no interest in correcting this misuse makes me kind of happy about 2k’s decision and makes me want to reconsider Gearbox Publishing’s current posture on the platform.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) April 5, 2019
Naturally, his comments have caused a huge amount of backlash from players who are desperate for Borderlands 3 to be available on Steam.
One unhappy player said: “This would not have happened if there wasn’t an exclusivity deal. You, 2K, or whoever is responsible brought it upon themselves, and it is their fault for everyone being p*ssed off.”
In response, Pitchford sounded off saying: ““I wouldn’t hit you if you didn’t deserve it. It’s your fault I am hitting you.” WTF is wrong with you and this victim blaming bullsh*t. Kindly f*ck off, troll.”
I don’t think this is the correct way to talk to fans of your games.
— Kaii-Killer (@_KaiiKiller_) April 6, 2019
Yikes.
The recent reviews for the Borderlands Game of the Year edition are now showing on Steam as “Mixed,” with basically all of the recent negative reviews referencing Epic Games.
One user posted a negative review, writing: “Don’t get me wrong. Borderlands 1 and 2 are great games. But we need to make companies stop this exclusivity bull***ap.
“Epic Store is predatory and anti-consumer in my opinion.
“Small list of features missing in Epic Store: offline gaming, cloud saves, users reviews and profiles, forums, mod distribution, friend list, groups, item trading, account sharing, streaming to other devices and broadcasting, user created guides, wish list and many more.”
It seems the Epic Store exclusivity outrage continues.
Featured Image Credit: Gearbox