Borderlands 4 is set to raise the franchise’s weapon madness to unheard-of levels, with Gearbox confirming a staggering 30 billion possible guns through procedural generation.
Borderlands 4 Turns the Arsenal Into Overdrive
The series has always been known for its outrageous gun count — Borderlands 3 touted “87 bazillion” — but this time, art director Adam May has nailed down an actual figure. In an interview with Epic Games, he confirmed the upcoming title will feature 30 billion unique gun variations, made possible by an enormous base pool of parts and a deep procedural system.
How the 30 Billion Gun Math Works
The math isn’t as absurd as it sounds once you factor in how the system defines a “different” gun.
- Start with a base weapon model
- Change a single attachment, and it counts as a new weapon
- Add an alternate elemental effect, and you’ve got another variation
- Swap a scope, tweak a barrel, or alter the fire mode — each change adds to the total
With dozens of manufacturers, part styles, and elemental types, the combinations stack up fast.
Borderlands 4’s Visual Identity for Each Gun
May explained that the art team works closely with designers to make sure each manufacturer’s style hints at how the weapon behaves. A rapid-fire gun might have sleek, aggressive angles, while a rocket launcher could be bulkier, rounder, and heavier-looking.
This visual language helps players quickly identify not just what they’re holding, but how it’s likely to perform in a fight.
More Than Just Guns in the Mix
Beyond the arsenal, Borderlands 4 will introduce a seamless open world and a new lineup of Vault Hunters. Gearbox hasn’t gone deep on story details yet, but early hints point to fresh environments, chaotic missions, and the series’ signature mix of humor and over-the-top combat.
Release Date and Platforms
Borderlands 4 launches September 12, giving players just weeks to prepare for inventory screens crammed with absurd loot. The weapon variety alone should keep theorycrafters, speedrunners, and collectors busy for months — maybe years.
The Madness Keeps Growing
Every Borderlands has pushed the gun count higher, but this entry feels like a deliberate attempt to make the arsenal as much a selling point as the story or setting. The sheer scope of weapon customization means that, for many players, no two playthroughs will ever feel exactly the same.
If the promise holds up, Borderlands 4 might be less about finding a perfect gun and more about finding your perfect 50. And with 30 billion possibilities, you may never run out of candidates.
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