Highlights

  • Borderlands 4 should make seasonal events a permanent feature, considering the success and positive reception of these events in Borderlands 3.
  • The existing format of seasonal events in Borderlands 3 should be maintained in Borderlands 4, with the addition of more events to choose from.
  • Borderlands 4 should offer year-round access to seasonal events, allowing players to participate at their own pace and avoid FOMO, just like in Borderlands 3.

Borderlands 3 offers players the opportunity to participate in one of the game’s four seasonal events to add unique twists to the gameplay, such as new challenges, enemies, locations, and exclusive loot. Given how well-received these seasonal events are in Borderlands 3, the next installment in the looter-shooter franchise would be wise to make seasonal events a permanent feature. At the same time, Borderlands 4 could also stand to take seasonal events to the next level with an expanded variety.

Borderlands 4 doesn’t have to change much about seasonal events, since sticking to the existing format could be a recipe for success. In Borderlands 3, most of the seasonal events function by adding new challenges to the base game that eventually builds up to a raid. Seasonal events are essentially a combination of some of the endgame activities in the franchise, combining Borderlands’ Raid Bosses with Takedown-style gauntlets. As long as Borderlands 4’s seasonal events generally replicate this same formula, all it really needs to bring to the table is more seasonal events to choose from.

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What Borderlands 4's Seasonal Events Could Look Like

borderlands 3 revenge of the cartel feature

One of the best parts about Borderlands 3’s seasonal events is that they were eventually made available year-round, instead of having a finite time window for players to engage with the content. Even though some of the seasonal events were inspired by real-world holidays, like the Bloody Harvest and Broken Hearts Day, players could still participate in these events at their own leisure and pace, even outside of their active season. Switching between Borderlands 3’s seasonal events was a simple process and having permanent access to them means that nobody has to suffer from FOMO. Not only should Borderlands 4 bring back seasonal events, but it should also keep them permanently available like in Borderlands 3.

When it comes to the new variety that Borderlands 4 can bring to seasonal events, one of the biggest potential changes is to add entirely new seasonal events. There are plenty more real-world holidays that could be fun to celebrate with Borderlands’ style of humor, but like Borderlands 3, Borderlands 4 should also include events that aren’t entirely based on existing holidays. One such event that is long overdue for a proper in-game celebration is the birthday of the Borderlands franchise. A seasonal event based on this kind of milestone could truly be an epic experience with untold possibilities.

A Tiny Tina Dungeons and Dragons-like seasonal event could also prove to be a fun encounter. Even though Borderlands' Tiny Tina has already been the focus of a large spin-off game in the Borderlands franchise, the character still arguably deserves more screen time in the mainline games. A seasonal event could be the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone to continue Tiny Tina’s legacy while bringing a share of new loot and content. Overall, having seasonal events based on any of the underrated characters in the Borderlands franchise could prove to be a worthwhile opportunity for both lore implications and gameplay.

Aside from introducing new seasonal events, Borderlands 4 should also consider keeping some, or all, of Borderlands 3’s seasonal events around. None of Borderlands 3’s seasonal events were objectively bad, but certain ones like the Revenge of the Cartels still stood out above the others. In the long run, a larger variety of seasonal events ultimately means that there would also be more unique loot and endgame content in Borderlands 4, as well as the chance to bring more beloved characters back into the spotlight. Without needing much of a change, seasonal events should stick around in the Borderlands franchise and offer a larger selection of unique events to participate in.

Borderlands 3 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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