Borderlands 4 studio CEO Randy Pitchford says that’s not Handsome Jack in the trailer - it’s “something far more dangerous”

Ugly Jack confirmed

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Borderlands' studio CEO has dispelled speculation that Handsome Jack is returning inBorderlands 4next year, saying the mysterious character is “something far more dangerous and sinister.”

WhenBorderlands 4 was finally revealedearlier this week during Gamescom, many immediately speculated that one frame in the trailerteased the return of a prolific villain in the series: Handsome Jack. The theory hinged on a Vault marker superimposed over the face of a character, and Handsome Jack’s true face has a Vault marker permanently burned into it.

However,Gearboxstudio CEO Randy Pitchford, in the tweet below, states that this figure isn’t Handsome Jack after all, but “something far more dangerous and sinister.” If anyone’s going to know what that frame in the Borderlands 4 trailer was actually teasing, you’d think it would be the CEO of the studio actually making the new game.

That’s not handsome jack. That is something far more dangerous and sinisterAugust 21, 2024

This obviously has series fans guessing who the character actually is, but Pitchford hasn’t provided any further comments or clues. Could it be Ugly Jack, as some are theorizing, or perhaps Even Handsomer Jack, a strange sort-of successor? Who the hell knows.

This also puts a damper on Borderlands 4 continuing a plotline that’s been missing in the series for over a decade. As we chronicled when speculation began earlier this week, Handsome Jack’s return might return to the overarching galactic alien war that was teased in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, but was then abandoned in Borderlands 3.

Borderlands 4 launches next year in 2025, and it’ll be out on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.Pitchford recently defended his old prediction that Steam would die off, saying that although he’s a Steam customer, he just wishes it had more competition.

Check out ourGamescom Opening Night Liverecap for a look at everything else announced during the showcase.

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Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

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