Gearbox is rallying the community for a Steam Award, and they’ve dropped a free content pack to sweeten the deal. While Borderlands 4 players can grab new cosmetics right now without spending a dime, the studio has also clarified that the free ride for these specific packs ends here, while teasing a major endgame challenge arriving next year.
Claiming the "Better With Friends" Nomination
The studio is making a hard push for the "Better With Friends" category in the 2025 Steam Awards. It makes sense—Borderlands has always lived and died by its co-op chaos. If you want to support the shooter in this category, the nomination window is tight; voting closes on December 1 at 10 AM PT.
Coinciding with this campaign is the release of Bounty Pack 1: How Rush Saved Mercenary Day. This cosmetic pack is currently free for all players. It’s a nice nod to the series' history of holiday-themed Headhunter packs, though this one is strictly about looking good while you loot rather than adding a new playable zone.
The Future of Bounty Packs and Monetization
While "How Rush Saved Mercenary Day" is free, Gearbox has set clear expectations for the future. Bounty Packs 2 through 5 will not be complimentary. These subsequent cosmetic drops will require either the purchase of specific premium editions or buying them separately.
This distinction is important for players managing their wallets. Don't get used to the free drip-feed of cosmetics; the monetization model is shifting back to the standard industry practice for the remaining scheduled packs. If you're a completionist regarding skins and heads, you'll need to check if your edition of the game includes the future pass or if you'll need to grab them à la carte.
When is the next major Borderlands 4 content update?
Beyond cosmetics, the real meat for endgame players is the confirmed Takedown coming in 2026. Takedowns are historically where Borderlands tests your build optimization and squad coordination with raid-like mechanics and high-density mobbing.
With the current date being late November 2025, a 2026 release window suggests we might have a slight wait before the next significant difficulty spike hits the game. For now, you have a few days left to cast your Steam Award vote and a free cosmetic pack to grab before the holiday rush truly begins.