Borderlands 4‘s Tokyo Game Show panel may not have been long, but it certainly was insightful, considering Gearbox’s brief reveal and teaser for the game’s newest Vault Hunter, C4SH. A Western-themed former casino bot, C4SH’s proficiency with cards, dice, and the luck of the draw make him look like one of the most interesting Vault Hunters in the series so far. C4SH’s gambling background opens the door for another welcome addition to Borderlands 4, however, one that many fans of the franchise already consider long overdue.
According to Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford, Borderlands 4‘s newest Vault Hunter, C4SH, is no stranger to gambling. In fact, the vice is inherent to the bot’s gameplay philosophy, with Pitchford stating that chance can make C4SH Borderlands 4‘s strongest Vault Hunter, or its weakest. Since Gearbox is going all-in on the gambling concept with C4SH, the bot’s release is the perfect opportunity to implement one of Borderlands 4′s most obviously missing features, and Borderlands‘ best low-stakes gambling opportunities: slot machines.
A Brief History of Borderlands' Slot Machines
Slot machines were first introduced in Borderlands 2, at Moxxi’s Bar in Sanctuary, that game’s hub city. They weren’t vital to any mission, be it a main or side-quest — they were just there, for players to use when they felt lucky. It was a perfect, subtle introduction for a system that felt right at home in the loot-hungry world of Borderlands, and given their popularity among players, slot machines quickly became standard fare for the franchise.
The base game of Borderlands 3 improved on the slot machine feature, with unique machines with different dedicated rewards and designs aboard the hub ship of Sanctuary 3.
Slot machines have since made an appearance in each of the franchise’s mainline entries, as well as in some of its best DLC, with appropriately themed machines appearing in Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep, Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, and Borderlands 3‘s DLC, Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot. Players undoubtedly felt the loss when slots didn’t appear in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, but the spin-off status of that game lessened the blow. The continued omission of slots from Borderlands 4 feels downright criminal, however, especially considering how naturally the machines would fit in this new outing.
Borderlands 4 Should've Had Slot Machines At Release
Borderlands 4‘s lack of slot machines is genuinely confounding, especially since it’s the biggest Borderlands game ever made, which means there’s plenty of room for their addition. Multiple hub areas exist in the form of safe houses, and the three main hubs for each outer region of the map also work wonderfully as potential gambling dens. The game even features another rendition of Moxxi’s Bar, but slot machines are still nowhere to be found.
The most egregious missed opportunity for slot machines comes by way of Borderlands 4‘s PowerDrop side quest. In the mission, Monty, a denizen of the Launchpad, lets players try out a new gambling mini-game he built in the area’s bunker. It’s a genuinely fun game, but the mission can’t be repeated when the final prize is won, a design flaw that is no doubt a contender for 2025’s most glaring game design missteps. It’s in this early quest where the absence of Borderlands classic slot machines stings most.
C4SH's Gambler Background Can Right The Ship For Borderlands 4
With the introduction of a Vault Hunter like C4SH, though, it’s clear that Borderlands 4 players looking for another outlet for their lucky feelings should hold out hope. The bot’s background and gameplay both suggest a greater focus on games of chance, and the timing of the character’s release provides an excellent opportunity for the addition of slots. C4SH releases alongside Borderlands 4‘s first DLC story pack, Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, so with any luck, C4SH will bring with it plenty of opportunities for slot machines to make a debut.
At the end of the day, it’s really anybody’s guess as to when (or if) Borderlands 4 will actually add slot machines. Borderlands 4‘s post-launch roadmap offers numerous opportunities for the release of the feature, but C4SH’s release would be the most fitting by far. The new Vault Hunter already looks like a winning addition, but by implementing slot machines, Gearbox could manage to maintain a serious hot streak.