The Borderlands franchise has always been known for its unique blend of humor—originally featuring a darker tone with sharp, edgy jokes. However, over time, especially with Borderlands 3, the series shifted toward more toilet humor, pop-culture references, and random absurdities. While Borderlands 3 delivered solid gameplay, many fans consider its humor to be its weakest aspect, with the over-reliance on crass gags often overshadowing the story.
If you were among those who found Borderlands 3 a bit too much, there’s some good news on the horizon: Borderlands 4 plans to dial back the toilet humor.
Sam Winkler, the narrative director for Borderlands 4, recently took to Twitter to hype up the game, calling it the "most ambitious" installment yet. He also hinted that he's been working with some of the funniest writers he knows to craft the game’s humor. This has many wondering if Borderlands 4 will return to the franchise’s darker, more mature tone.
When asked about the possibility of the game adopting a more serious atmosphere, Winkler responded, “I can’t talk much about the content of Borderlands 4 yet, but I still stand by my criticism of Borderlands 3’s excessive toilet humor.” He added, “I’m not saying there won’t be toilets in the game, but if I see anything like ‘skibidi ships,’ I’ll cry real tears.” Winkler also shared a humorous anecdote about a joke involving a gun called "Hawk 2A," admitting he felt a bit exasperated by the suggestion.
His comments come at an interesting time, as several contract writers for Borderlands 4 have started discussing their involvement with the game, likely after an embargo or NDA was lifted. These writers have hinted at the game’s direction, though specifics are still under wraps.
Despite Winkler’s seemingly playful Twitter persona, filled with poop and crude jokes, it seems clear that the new Borderlands entry is aiming for a shift in tone—somewhere between Borderlands 3's chaotic randomness and a return to the darker humor that fans initially loved.
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