Borderlands 4 Revives Nearly Forgotten Gaming Traditions

Excitement for Borderlands 4 is ramping up drastically, with fans eagerly exploring the limited trailers released in anticipation of its 2025 launch. Although many players enjoyed Borderlands 3, the mixed reception surrounding the series, exacerbated by the unsuccessful movie adaptation, caused a decline in enthusiasm among the fanbase. Nevertheless, Borderlands 4 appears poised to revitalize interest by embracing the charm of earlier installments while making essential improvements.

The revitalization is largely attributed to innovative changes within the game. Borderlands 4 is set to move away from the crude humor that characterized its predecessors, signaling a tonal shift that many players will find refreshing. Importantly, Borderlands 4 maintains one of the franchise’s most beloved elements that other games have largely abandoned over the years: the split-screen gameplay experience.

Borderlands 4: A Champion of Split-Screen Gaming

Anticipating Two-Player Split-Screen at Launch

New footage presented at the 2024 Game Awards has rekindled hope among gamers, showcasing the potential of Borderlands 4 to reinvigorate the franchise. The latest trailer hints at exciting changes, particularly the revival of local co-op split-screen, a feature that many feared had become obsolete amid the surge of visually intensive games.

Watch the trailer on YouTube

Link to Borderlands 4 Trailer

At launch, Borderlands 4 will include two-player split-screen alongside four-player online co-op, offering a chance for players to assume the roles of any available Vault Hunters. This functionality will allow friends to team up, tackle bosses, and immerse themselves in the full story together, a delightful return to form, especially in a landscape where other major titles like Halo Infinite and Baldur’s Gate 3 have sidelined split-screen gameplay.

Despite initial concerns about the stability of Borderlands 4’s split-screen mode—considering Borderlands 3 faced bugs at launch—Gearbox’s commitment to preserving this feature showcases their dedication to co-op gaming. With fewer players gathering physically, the challenge of implementing split-screen has intensified, leading many developers to overlook this option. However, the nostalgia for couch gaming remains strong.

The Legacy of Split-Screen in Borderlands

Co-Op: The Heartbeat of the Series

Borderlands 4's four Vault Hunters standing in a row in a city street.

Since its inception, split-screen co-op has been a foundational aspect of the Borderlands series, originally allowing for four-player gameplay before narrowing down to two-player in subsequent installments. The essence of Borderlands has always been best experienced alongside friends, highlighting its chaotic FPS gameplay and the unique antics that arise in co-op situations. Therefore, including split-screen in Borderlands 4 feels like a necessary continuation of this tradition.

The original Borderlands offered local four-player co-op across PC and consoles, while Borderlands 2 and later titles embraced two-player split-screen. Similarly, spin-off games like Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands also incorporated this beloved feature.

Historically, split-screen gaming was the default way to engage with friends long before the rise of online multiplayer platforms like Xbox Live or PlayStation Network. Friends would regularly gather in person, controllers in hand, embarking on exhilarating adventures together—blasting enemies, collecting gear, and crafting unforgettable moments.

This split-screen dynamic transformed video games into social experiences, even within linear narratives. The Borderlands franchise, particularly with Borderlands 2, effectively exemplified this, creating spaces specifically designed for chaotic fun. Even when faced with turbulent times, Borderlands has remained a celebration of enjoyment. Despite some controversial developments in Borderlands 4, its commitment to split-screen co-op is a reaffirmation of this core philosophy.

A Call for More Games to Embrace Split-Screen

The Case for Couch Co-Op in Modern Games

An enemy in Borderlands 4 with a giant left arm and a smaller right arm.

As the gaming industry evolves, many long-standing trends are discarded to make way for new paradigms. Unfortunately, split-screen co-op has been similarly pushed aside, leading many to believe it is on a path to extinction. However, there is still a glimmer of hope, particularly in suitable contexts. Not every title necessitates split-screen functionality, and developers with limited resources may need to prioritize other features.

Yet, for games where split-screen co-op aligns with the gameplay experience, it should see a resurgence. The introduction of this feature in Borderlands 4 marks an encouraging step forward. Ideally, it should become a standard expectation among triple-A titles where applicable, rather than a rare hope for fans.

Regrettably, beyond Borderlands 4, not much enthusiasm exists for split-screen gaming, even within franchises that once championed it. For instance, Gears of War: E-Day currently lacks confirmation for a split-screen mode, and Halo Infinite fell short of delivering on promises for such a feature, while Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 also overlooked this nostalgic gameplay option.

For those who reminisce about the simplicity of gathering with friends over snacks for some couch gaming, Borderlands 4 is not only catering to that nostalgia but also promises to revive the joy of local multiplayer experiences.

While some gamers may prefer online play, limiting themselves to two players for local sessions may not resonate with everyone. Yet for those who cherish traditional gaming together, Borderlands 4 could herald a return of the fun and camaraderie that couch gaming brings.

Source: Borderlands/YouTube

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