Borderlands 4 revealed at Gamescom 2024

August in Germany. At this time each year a very precise alchemical condition is achieved in Cologne which coaxes secretive games out from hiding and reveals them to the world. In other words, the annual Gamescom games industry convention’s upon us, and Borderlands 4 has just been announced.

What’s it about? Where’s it set? What new gameplay systems will we be treated to? Er, not a clue. Because this little gem of a ‘teaser’ trailer was how 2K and Gearbox revealed the game to the world.

Based on a forensic analysis of that minute-and-a-half of CG spectacle, this is what we’ve learned: it will be called Borderlands 4. It’s coming out in 2025. Transmission ends.

There’s some fan speculation that there might be some hidden Eridian writing within the symbols, Eridian of course being the language of an ancient and mysterious alien race in the Borderlands universe. But if there’s a hidden message in here, no one’s cracked it. Answers on a suitably enigmatic postcard, please.

Borderlands is the looter-shooter series that first blended FPS action with RPG-like weapon stats and character progression to such great effect, and it’s always had seamless co-op functionality, witty dialogue and a distinctive cel shading art style. It’s fairly safe to assume those pillars will prop up the fourth game too, but beyond that who knows what Gearbox’s vision is.

Gamescom 2024 has started with a few exciting announcements like this one - see also Civilization 7 in action and COD Black Ops 6 campaign gameplay - but disappointingly, we haven’t seen anything from the racing genre yet.

There’s still hope though - the conference runs until 25 August, and you can keep track of the goings-on via its official site.