​‘Borderlands 3’ Publisher Confirms Game Will Have Cosmetics Microtransactions

After some back and forth and some name calling, it's been settled by Borderlands 3's publisher that the game will feature microtransactions at launch but they will only be for cosmetic items. There will be future DLC that is sold, too.

The confusion stems from a statement made by Borderlands developer Gearbox's CEO Randy Pitchford during a presentation earlier this week. "We're gonna do some kickass campaign DLC," Pitchford said. "And I'm sure we're going to do all kinds of fun customizations like heads and skins, but we're not doing any of that free-to-play junk. There's not going to be any microtransactions, there's not going to be any of that nonsense."

It appears Pitchford considers microtransactions only specifically refers to pay-to-win mechanics or weapons and gear. Though that's not what other people take the term microtransactions to mean.

"Players will have the option to purchase certain cosmetic items like character, vehicle, and weapon skins, but none of these purchases would be considered pay-to-win or impacting on the gameplay, like weapons or actual gear," Borderlands 3's publisher 2K clarified in a statement to Eurogamer.

Speaking to PC Gamer, Borderlands 3's creative director explained further that the game will not feature a premium currency, like Fortnite's Vbucks or Destiny 2's silver currency.

There are plans for future DLC, though, which, if Borderlands 2 is a good example, will expand the game. Borderlands 2 had nearly 50 pieces of DLC, ranging from cosmetic skins, story packs, to new characters. And the story DLC, such as the Creature Slaughterdome, did come with new weapons.

It's been a confusing week for semantics, with the Rocket League studio Psyonix buyout by Epic Games leaving everyone confused as to whether that game will be taken off Steam after it launches on the Epic Games store.