History of Borderlands (series) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 21, 2024

Borderlands is a popular video game franchise that combines action role-playing, first-person shooter, and looter shooter elements. Developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K, the games are set in a space Western science fantasy world. Players engage in intense combat, collect a vast array of weapons, and explore a unique and visually striking universe.

2009: Borderlands Introduces "Role-Playing Shooter" Genre

Borderlands, released in 2009, combined first-person shooter gameplay with RPG elements, creating a new genre dubbed "role-playing shooter" by Gearbox.

2009: Borderlands Released

The first Borderlands game was released in 2009, introducing the innovative "role-playing shooter" genre and featuring iconic characters like Lilith, Mordecai, Brick, and Roland.

2009: Borderlands Original Soundtrack Release

The soundtrack for the first Borderlands game, composed by Jesper Kyd, Raison Varner, Cris Velasco, and Sascha Dikiciyan (Sonic Mayhem), was released in 2009.

2011: Borderlands Sales Exceed Expectations

By 2011, Borderlands had sold 4.5 million copies, surpassing Gearbox's expectations and establishing the franchise's potential.

October 31, 2012: Borderlands Legends Released for iOS

Borderlands Legends, a spin-off game for iOS devices, was released on October 31, 2012, offering a top-down strategy experience.

November 2012: "Borderlands: Origins" Comic Series Debut

The first issue of the "Borderlands: Origins" comic miniseries, written by Mikey Neumann with art by Agustin Padilla, was released in November 2012, exploring the backstory of the original Vault Hunters.

2012: Borderlands 2 Achieves Critical and Commercial Success

Borderlands 2 became a massive hit upon its release in 2012, receiving critical acclaim and achieving impressive sales figures.

2012: Borderlands 2 Explores Handsome Jack's Story

Released in 2012, Borderlands 2 delved into the conflict between the Vault Hunters and Handsome Jack, a power-hungry antagonist seeking control of Pandora's resources.

2012: Borderlands 2 Released

The highly anticipated sequel, Borderlands 2, was released in 2012, expanding on the first game's mechanics and introducing the villainous Handsome Jack.

2012: Borderlands 2 Original Soundtrack Release

The soundtrack for Borderlands 2, again composed by Jesper Kyd, Raison Varner, Cris Velasco, and Sascha Dikiciyan, was released in 2012.

December 12, 2013: LootTheWorld App Released

LootTheWorld, a free mobile app that allowed users to unlock Borderlands 2 items by scanning barcodes and QR codes, was released on December 12, 2013.

February 2014: Borderlands 2 Sales Milestone

By February 2014, Borderlands 2 had sold 8.5 million copies, making it the best-selling game in 2K Games' history.

April 2014: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Announced

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, set on Pandora's moon, Elpis, was officially announced in April 2014, generating excitement among fans.

July 2014: Launch of "Borderlands: Fall of Fyrestone" Comic Series

July 2014 marked the beginning of the "Borderlands: Fall of Fyrestone" comic series, also a collaboration between writer Mikey Neumann and artist Agustin Padilla, continuing the story from the first Borderlands game.

October 2014: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Released

Players could step into the shoes of Handsome Jack's crew in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, which launched in October 2014 for PS3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC.

November 2014: Tales from the Borderlands Premieres

The first episode of Tales from the Borderlands, a narrative-driven spin-off by Telltale Games, was released in November 2014.

2014: Borderlands 2 Ported to PlayStation Vita

In 2014, Borderlands 2 was ported to the PlayStation Vita handheld console, allowing players to experience the game on the go, though with limited multiplayer.

2014: Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Released

Set between the events of the first two games, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel was released in 2014, exploring Handsome Jack's rise to power.

March 2015: Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Released

March 2015 saw the release of Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, a compilation for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, and macOS, featuring Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel with enhanced visuals.

April 2015: Conclusion of "Borderlands: Fall of Fyrestone" Comic Series

The "Borderlands: Fall of Fyrestone" comic series, a narrative continuation of the first Borderlands game, concluded in April 2015.

October 2015: Tales from the Borderlands Concludes

October 2015 marked the release of the fifth and final episode of Tales from the Borderlands, concluding the story of Rhys, Fiona, and their adventures.

October 18, 2015: LootTheWorld App Shut Down

LootTheWorld, the barcode-scanning app for unlocking Borderlands 2 items, was shut down on October 18, 2015.

November 2015: Borderlands Online Cancelled

Borderlands Online, a China-exclusive online shooter, was canceled in November 2015 due to profitability concerns, marking a setback for the franchise's expansion.

2015: Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Released

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, featuring remastered versions of Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, was released in 2015 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

2015: Borderlands 3 Development Begins

Gearbox Software began developing Borderlands 3 as early as 2015, laying the groundwork for the next installment in the series.

2015: Borderlands Film Adaptation Announced

Lionsgate announced the development of a Borderlands film adaptation in 2015.

2015: Tales from the Borderlands Concludes

The final episode of the narrative-driven spin-off, Tales from the Borderlands, was released in 2015, wrapping up the story of Rhys and Fiona.

March 28, 2019: Borderlands 3 Revealed at PAX East

Fans got their first look at Borderlands 3 during PAX East on March 28, 2019, when the game was officially revealed.

April 3, 2019: Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition Released

A remastered version of the original Borderlands, titled "Game of the Year Edition," was released on April 3, 2019, for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

September 13, 2019: Borderlands 3 Released

Borderlands 3 officially launched on September 13, 2019, for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, marking another chapter in the franchise.

2019: Borderlands 3 Released

Borderlands 3, a major installment in the series, was released in 2019, continuing the story and introducing new Vault Hunters.

May 2020: Borderlands Legendary Collection Released for Nintendo Switch

The Borderlands Legendary Collection, a compilation of Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, launched for the Nintendo Switch in May 2020.

May 29, 2020: Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition Released on Nintendo Switch

The "Game of the Year Edition" of Borderlands was released for the Nintendo Switch on May 29, 2020, making the game accessible on a new platform.

November 9, 2021: Standalone Release of "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep"

On November 9, 2021, "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep," originally a DLC for Borderlands 2, was released as a standalone game titled "Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep: A Wonderlands One-Shot Adventure."

March 25, 2022: Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Released

On March 25, 2022, "Tiny Tina's Wonderlands," a standalone game in the Borderlands universe with a fantasy setting, was released. It features four-player co-op, procedurally generated loot, magic, and melee weapons.

October 21, 2022: Release of "New Tales from the Borderlands"

"New Tales from the Borderlands," a successor to "Tales from the Borderlands," was released on October 21, 2022, introducing new characters and a story focused on a treasure hunt and a corporate invasion.

November 2022: Borderlands Series Sales Milestone

By November 2022, the Borderlands series had sold over 77 million copies, solidifying its place as one of the best-selling video game franchises ever.

2022: Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Released

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, a spin-off based on the popular Borderlands 2 DLC, was released in 2022, offering a fantasy-themed Borderlands experience.

2023: Borderlands Pinball Adaptation Announced

A virtual pinball adaptation of Borderlands is planned for release in 2023 as part of a Pinball FX reboot, developed by Zen Studios.

June 2024: Release of "Borderlands: Debt or Alive" Novel

Authored by Anthony Burch, known for his work on Borderlands 2, the novel "Borderlands: Debt or Alive," inspired by "Tales from the Borderlands," hit the shelves in June 2024.