History of Randy Pitchford in Timeline

Randy Pitchford is an American businessman and a co-founder of Gearbox Software, a video game development studio, which he co-founded in 1999. He served as President and CEO of Gearbox Software until 2021. Following this, he transitioned to the role of CEO and President of The Gearbox Entertainment Company, the parent company of Gearbox Software. His career is primarily associated with the video game industry and executive leadership within Gearbox.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

April 21, 1971: Randy Pitchford's Birth

On April 21, 1971, Randall Steward Pitchford II was born. He would later become a businessman and co-founder of Gearbox Software.

1975: Father Brings Home a Computer

In 1975, when Randy Pitchford was five years old, his father, who worked in United States intelligence, brought home one of the high-technology computers he had developed.

May 1997: Joins Rebel Boat Rocker

In May 1997, Randy Pitchford joined Rebel Boat Rocker as lead level designer and public relations head.

January 1999: Cancellation of Prax War

Around January 1999, Electronic Arts (EA) opted to cancel Rebel Boat Rocker's game, Prax War.

February 1999: Founding of Gearbox Software

In February 1999, Randy Pitchford, along with four other Rebel Boat Rockers, founded Gearbox Software.

1999: Co-founding of Gearbox Software

In 1999, Randy Pitchford co-founded the video game development studio Gearbox Software.

2011: Cast in Ctrl+Alt+Compete Documentary

In 2011, Randy Pitchford was cast as himself in the documentary, Ctrl+Alt+Compete.

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2013: Borderlands 2 nominated for BAFTA Award

In 2013, Borderlands 2 was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Game, Online - Multiplayer.

2013: Pledge to Director's Cut Crowdfunding Campaign

In 2013, Randy Pitchford pledged US$25,000 to Penn Jillette's crowdfunding campaign for the film Director's Cut.

2014: USB drive incident at Medieval Times

In 2014, Randy Pitchford allegedly left a USB drive containing sensitive Gearbox information and "child pornography" at a Medieval Times, which later led to a lawsuit in 2018.

2014: Featured in Video Games: The Movie Documentary

In 2014, Randy Pitchford was featured in the documentary, Video Games: The Movie.

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2015: Gearbox Expands into Publishing

In 2015, Gearbox expanded its operations into publishing.

2016: Purchase of Genii Magazine

In 2016, Randy Pitchford purchased Genii magazine, a publication focused on magic and magicians.

2016: Executive Producer Credit on Director's Cut

In 2016, Randy Pitchford received executive producer credit on Adam Rifkin and Penn Jillette’s film Director's Cut.

2017: Alleged Assault at Game Developers Conference

During the 2017 Game Developers Conference, Randy Pitchford allegedly assaulted David Eddings, the voice actor for Claptrap in the Borderlands series, according to Eddings' claims in May 2019.

March 2018: Joined Advisory Board for Fig

In March 2018, Randy Pitchford announced he had joined the advisory board for Fig, a mixed investor/crowdfunding service for video game development.

2018: Lawsuit Filed by Former Gearbox Lawyer

In 2018, Wade Callender, a former Gearbox lawyer, filed a lawsuit against Randy Pitchford, alleging that Pitchford had left a USB drive containing sensitive Gearbox information and "child pornography" at a Medieval Times in 2014.

May 2019: David Eddings Accusation of Assault

In May 2019, David Eddings, the voice actor of the Borderlands character Claptrap, accused Randy Pitchford of assault during the 2017 Game Developers Conference.

August 2019: Contempt Allegations

In August 2019, a filing further alleged Randy Pitchford and his employers of contempt in relation to the lawsuit.

October 2019: Lawsuit Dropped

In October 2019, both sides announced that the lawsuit against Randy Pitchford had been dropped, with a joint statement calling the issue a misunderstanding and stating that Pitchford had been exonerated.

2019: Establishment of The Gearbox Entertainment Company

By 2019, The Gearbox Entertainment Company was established as the parent company of both Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing, with Randy Pitchford remaining as the president of Gearbox Software during this time.

April 2020: Launch of "Borderlands Science" Mini-Game

In April 2020, Randy Pitchford and Gearbox Entertainment worked with McGill University, Massively Multiplayer Online Science, and The Microsetta Initiative to add the mini-game “Borderlands Science” post-release into Borderlands 3. The game presents puzzles formulated from DNA sequences from medical research studies into the human gut microbiome.

June 2020: Partnership with Direct Relief

In June 2020, Randy Pitchford and Gearbox Entertainment announced a partnership with Direct Relief, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, to provide aid and supplies to medical workers responding to COVID-19. Players who donated received an in-game Borderlands 3 face mask.

2020: Borderlands 3 wins Webby Awards

In 2020, Randy Pitchford was credited as the team lead on Borderlands 3, which won the People’s Voice 2020 Webby Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Game Design, and Best User Experience.

February 2021: Acquisition by Embracer Group

In February 2021, The Gearbox Entertainment Company was acquired by Embracer Group. Following the acquisition, Randy Pitchford left Gearbox Software to become president and CEO of The Gearbox Entertainment Company and president of Gearbox Studios.

2021: Appointment as CEO and President of The Gearbox Entertainment Company

In 2021, Randy Pitchford transitioned from president and CEO of Gearbox Software to CEO and president of its parent company, The Gearbox Entertainment Company.

2021: Recognition as Tech Titans Corporate CEO of the Year

In 2021, Randy Pitchford was recognized as Tech Titans Corporate CEO of the year, and the Gearbox Entertainment Company was awarded the Tech Titans Corporate Innovation Award.

2021: Appointment as President of Gearbox Studios

In 2021, Randy Pitchford's work in the video game industry expanded to film and television when he became president of Gearbox Studios.

April 2022: Acquisition of The Magic Castle

In April 2022, Randy Pitchford acquired The Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Erika Larsen, daughter of the founders, will operate the venue, while The Academy of Magical Arts will remain a tenant.

2022: Suggestion of Duke Nukem Film

At PAX East in 2022, Randy Pitchford suggested that a Duke Nukem film may be in the works, and it was confirmed when Legendary Entertainment picked up the rights that same year.

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2022: Borderlands Science Nominated for Webby Award

In 2022, Borderlands Science (found in Borderlands 3) was nominated for the Webby Awards, Best Public Service, Activism, and Social Impact Game.

2022: Auction of Apparel for Scholarship Funds

In 2022, Randy Pitchford partnered with the Entertainment Software Association to raise scholarship funds for students pursuing a gaming career by auctioning off some of his apparel.

April 2023: Founding of Gearbox Gives

In April 2023, Randy Pitchford founded Gearbox Gives, the philanthropic initiative of The Gearbox Entertainment Company, aimed at using entertainment to educate, inspire, and create.

2023: Tiny Tina's Wonderlands nominated for GLAAD Media Awards

In 2023, Tiny Tina's Wonderlands was nominated for the GLAAD Media Awards, Outstanding Video Game.

2023: Featured in FPS: First Person Shooter Documentary

Randy Pitchford is featured in the 2023 documentary FPS: First Person Shooter.

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2024: Executive Producer of the Borderlands Film

In 2024, Randy Pitchford is the executive producer of the Borderlands film.

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2024: Take-Two Interactive Acquires The Gearbox Entertainment Company

In 2024, Take-Two Interactive acquired The Gearbox Entertainment Company. The company continues to operate within Take-Two’s 2K label and is led by Randy Pitchford.

May 13, 2025: Price Point Controversy for Borderlands 4

On May 13, 2025, Randy Pitchford made controversial comments on Twitter regarding the potential $80 price point for Borderlands 4, which led to backlash and a subsequent retraction of the claims.