Gearbox Says ‘Take-Two Does Not Use Spyware and adware in Its Video games’ as Borderlands Assessment-Bombing Continues

Gearbox Software program has revealed a press release relating to the controversy surrounding modifications to mum or dad firm Take-Two’s Phrases of Service and fears that many Borderlands video games now include “spy ware.”

Printed straight on Steam, the place outcry has materialized within the type of review-bombing campaigns for all main Borderlands titles, the assertion’s goal is to handle issues whereas “sustaining transparency and confidence with the neighborhood.” Which means tackling two key speaking factors which have taken over the Borderlands fanbase for months, together with fears of spy ware and modding crackdowns.

Gearbox makes its stance clear from the get-go: “Take-Two doesn’t use spy ware in its video games.” Whereas there are cases information might be collected, Gearbox doesn’t need gamers to concern that their personal info is at all times up for grabs.

“Take-Two identifies these practices in its Privateness Coverage to offer transparency to gamers and adjust to its authorized obligations,” Gearbox’s Steam assertion says. “Take-Two collects this info to ship its companies to gamers, together with to guard the sport atmosphere and participant expertise. You’ll be able to learn extra about this within the Privateness Coverage.”

The assertion continues: “For instance, participant and machine identifiers are collected partially to make sure the sport is appropriate with every participant’s media, platform or web site browser sort. It permits us to raised perceive how gamers play video games, and to personalize the person expertise (like having usernames present up!). Account credentials are collected from customers who select to create accounts with Take-Two and its labels.”

It’s unclear if Gearbox’s clarification of Take-Two’s Phrases of Service might be sufficient to calm those that took up arms after the settlement was altered again in February. In the meantime, the studio’s clarification for its stance on the modding scene is pretty simple.

“Take-Two’s Phrases of Service prohibit mods that enable customers to realize an unfair benefit, negatively impression the power of different customers to benefit from the sport as meant, or enable customers to realize entry to content material that the person isn’t entitled to,” the assertion clarifies. “We do that to guard the integrity of the sport expertise for all customers.”

This can be a direct response to fears that the modding neighborhood may face repercussions for any form of modding exercise, as Gearbox says Take-Two’s major concern lies with cheaters who may dampen the expertise for different gamers. The assertion goes so far as to say Gearbox’s mum or dad firm “usually doesn’t search to take motion in opposition to mods which can be single-player solely, non-commercial, and respect the mental property (IP) rights of its labels and third events.”

Uproar started round Could of this yr when followers caught wind that Take-Two had up to date its phrases of service, affecting lots of its current titles. Rumor that the corporate was preying on person information shortly caught fireplace, leading to a motion that noticed the Current Opinions sections for Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3 tank into the “Principally Detrimental” and “Overwhelmingly Detrimental” zones. Whereas issues subsided for the again half of Could, fears kicked up as soon as once more when Borderlands 2 was made free to maintain (for a restricted time) on June 5.

For now, the Borderlands collection’ Current Opinions on Steam stay firmly within the crimson. In the meantime, Gearbox is working to ship Borderlands 4 this September. You’ll be able to take a look at the newest information in addition to a little bit of gameplay by studying up on all the pieces introduced at its April 2025 State of Play presentation.

Michael Cripe is a contract contributor with IGN. He is greatest identified for his work at websites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. You’ll want to give him a comply with on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).