During Gamescom’s Night Live event, Borderlands 4 was unveiled with a CGI teaser trailer.
Enthusiasts quickly dissected the footage, hunting for hints about the game’s storyline. A hot theory by
suggests Handsome Jack might return. They believe the Vault symbol in the trailer matches the one Lilith punched into Jack’s face in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
Randy Pitchford, Gearbox’s head honcho, dismissed this idea. He tweeted that the symbol points to someone “far more dangerous and sinister.”
That’s not Handsome Jack. That is something far more dangerous and sinister
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic)
Jack was a standout villain from Borderlands 2, known for his arrogance and charm. Though players defeated him by the end of that game, his presence lingered in later titles. For example, in the Pre-Sequel, players could take on the role of a Jack look-alike, aiding him in his schemes. Borderlands 3 even featured an expansion set on his space casino, filled with chaos he left behind.
The AI version of Jack from Tales from the Borderlands was probably his most notable legacy. Depending on player choices, Rhys, future CEO of Atlas, could either keep or destroy an EchoEye device housing Jack’s digital self.
We all wonder about who could be more terrifying than Jack.
The humor in Borderlands games is quirky and unpredictable; maybe this is all a ruse to introduce “Really Handsome Jack.”
Borderlands 4 will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2025.
