Borderlands 4 has launched to record-breaking player numbers, but the absence of a field of view (FOV) slider on consoles has sparked frustration among PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players. While the PC version includes both FOV and motion blur settings, console players have been left without the option—leading to complaints of motion sickness and growing calls for parity.

Borderlands 4 Console Players Report Motion Sickness

Since launch, players have taken to Reddit and social media to voice concerns that the locked FOV makes gameplay feel “zoomed in” and uncomfortable. Some even report being unable to play for more than 15 minutes without nausea.

“Both times I get that ‘car-sick’ feel after about 15 minutes and have to stop,” wrote one Reddit user. Others echoed similar complaints, pointing to the lack of both FOV and motion blur toggles as major accessibility oversights.

Gearbox CEO Responds With “Fairness” Argument

Gearbox Entertainment president Randy Pitchford addressed the controversy directly, acknowledging the demand but suggesting that adding an FOV slider on consoles could impact “fairness.”

“Quickie for console friends: FOV settings,” Pitchford posted on X (formerly Twitter). “There’s some dreams I have where an FOV setting might affect fairness. I can’t really talk about it yet, but I see this is important to you so we’re looking at it.”

Pitchford accompanied the post with a poll that drew nearly 25,000 votes. More than 70% of respondents selected “FOV slider or GTFO,” highlighting the overwhelming community support for the feature.

What Does “Fairness” Mean?

Pitchford’s reference to fairness has fueled speculation. Some players believe he may be hinting at a future competitive or PvP mode in Borderlands 4, where wider FOV settings could provide a gameplay advantage. Others argue the explanation doesn’t hold up, since PC players already enjoy adjustable FOV options despite crossplay being enabled.

Technical explanations have also surfaced, with some suggesting the omission helps stabilize console performance—particularly on the lower-powered Xbox Series S.

A Divided Launch

Despite the console controversy, Borderlands 4 has been a commercial success. The game reached nearly 300,000 concurrent players on Steam during launch weekend, making it the most-played entry in the franchise’s history. Review aggregator OpenCritic currently lists the game with a strong average score of 85.

However, the launch has not been without problems. PC players report inconsistent performance, crashes, and shader compilation issues, leading to a “mixed” rating on Steam. Gearbox has since published an optimization guide for Nvidia users and urged patience while shaders recompile after graphics changes.

What’s Next for Console Players?

While Pitchford has stopped short of confirming the feature, his comments suggest Gearbox is actively evaluating whether a console FOV slider can be added in a way that satisfies both technical and design concerns. For now, players experiencing discomfort may have limited options beyond adjusting television display settings.

As Borderlands 4 continues to grow with crossplay, live-service updates, and strong player engagement, whether Gearbox addresses the console FOV issue could become a defining test of its commitment to player feedback.

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