Borderlands 2 is getting review bombed on Steam despite being given away for free

15 years post its initial launch, the critically acclaimed and commercially successful game Borderlands 2 is experiencing a wave of negative reviews on Steam. Remarkably, this is happening even as the game is being offered gratis.

Currently, it’s a free pickup on Steam until June 8, 2025, but players are coming back to the Steam page just to give it negative reviews even if they’ve got hundreds of hours in the game.

To be honest, it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen any fresh updates on this platform. It was just before the release of Borderlands 3, and I can’t help but wonder if there are any new adventures or expansions in store for us fans. Is there a secret project underway? Only time will tell!

Because Take-Two updated their End User License Agreement to gather more player data, many individuals are protesting in large numbers as a sign of their dissatisfaction. Yet, it is possible that much of the worry surrounding this update might be unfounded.

Is Borderlands 2 spyware? EULA change explained

Why are gamers so upset about the new EULA from Take-Two? The main reasons appear to be that the updated agreement applies retrospectively to all their games, and it includes provisions for banning players who use mods or cheats (which is common in multiplayer modes like Borderlands 2), as well as outlining how they collect and utilize your personal information.

As a consequence, there’s been widespread criticism, as evidenced by around 5000 unfavorable reviews on Steam at this very moment.

On the other hand, Take-Two’s End User License Agreement (EULA) aligns with common practices within the gaming industry. This document clearly specifies how user data is utilized.

  • Business Purposes: Provide the Services and support; fulfill orders and requests; improve the Services and our business; develop new products and services; enhance your experience on the Services; protect the security for our users, employees, facilities, and Services; and develop internal marketing and demographic studies.
  • Commercial Purposes: Market and advertise our and our business partners’ products and services; send you promotional materials; and administer promotional activities or events.
  • We also use your information as permitted by law.

In general, most businesses specify in their End User Licensing Agreements (EULAs) that they can use your information in a common way across the industry and beyond. For example, many web browsers have similar functions, such as AdSense, which deliver ads related to products you might be interested in.

Furthermore, Borderlands 2 lacks an anti-cheat system and does not restrict modifications to the game or the usage of tools like Cheat Engine for manipulation. Consequently, even if players could face bans for such activities, the game is unable to identify or detect these actions.

Although it’s possible that Borderlands 4 could introduce anti-cheat measures which might prevent players from utilizing mods within the game, this rule won’t be enforced for previous titles like Borderlands 2 due to these alterations.

Regardless of the recent controversy over review bombing on Steam, it’s clear that Borderlands 2 is not a form of spyware. If Take-Two Interactive’s games, including Borderlands 2, were ever used as spyware due to the updated EULA affecting several of their titles, they would have been quickly removed from Steam since such actions violate Steam’s terms of service and are generally illegal.

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2025-06-06 18:48