Borderlands 3's 1-year anniversary is less than a month away, with small in-game events seemingly paving the way for something bigger. The obvious answer is the official reveal of the Krieg DLC, but Gearbox could be cooking up more than that.
Many fans may have noticed that Gearbox has gone unusually quiet as of late. Aside from the small events, there hasn't been a proper roadmap since the spring. This could be due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but another possibility is that it's building up for something big. And next month is the perfect time to show that something big: more Borderlands 3.
How Borderlands 3 Could Celebrate Its 1-Year Anniversary
Borderlands 3 originally released on September 13, 2019, and that time is rapidly approaching. September lines up with something perhaps just as important, though. Based on the release pattern of past BL3 DLCs, the aforementioned Krieg DLC could be revealed at the end of this month or start of the next, with a proper release coming at the end of September. That alone would likely be a big enough celebration, but the relative stillness could be the quiet before the storm.
There's a good chance that PS5 and Xbox Series X ports will be announced as part of this 1-year anniversary, if not later. That seems to be the obvious answer, as Borderlands 3 is relatively newer game and still quite popular. With next-gen consoles dropping later this year, it would be a good way to continue the popularity of the game, bridging two generations with this new game. But if it's going to do that, then Borderlands 3 needs to keep the magic going. Once again, there's an obvious answer and that appears to be a second season pass.
Assuming Borderlands 3 does make the next-gen jump, that means a high demand for content will be there. Past games didn't go overboard with story-based DLCs, but Borderlands 3 exists in a completely different context. A second season pass could continue building on the game's plot and fleshing out the greater Borderlands universe, without necessarily devoting resources to a brand new game. Borderlands 4 seems like a good bet, sure, but that's likely years away. Seizing next-gen hype with a second season pass, on the other hand, has a more immediate effect on Gearbox's pocketbooks.
Not to mention, formally announcing Krieg's DLC, confirming next-gen ports, and telling the world that more Borderlands 3 is coming would make its 1-year anniversary unforgettable.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.