An In-Universe Time Gap Between Borderlands 3 and Borderlands 4 Could Be Beneficial

gamerant.com:

With Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands releasing later this month, it could be awhile before the next major Borderlands game is released. Despite the wait likely to be on the longer side, it is fun to theorize where the story could go in the next Borderlands title. Borderlands 3’s Director’s Cut sets up the search for Lilith as the main plot point, so fans have some idea of what to expect, though Gearbox could still surprise players.

While the search for Lilith is a solid enough foundation for Borderlands 4’s story, it could be made more impactful if Gearbox reuses a past storytelling tactic. Between Borderlands 2 and 3, there was a seven-year time gap in both the real world and in-universe, something that saw the characters aging alongside the player. Come Borderlands 4, another time gap should be introduced that mirrors the time that passed since the release of Borderlands 3.

Tales From the Borderlands 2 Should Happen Before Borderlands 4

The search for Lilith in Borderlands 4 would instantly be made more impactful if Ava and the rest of the Crimson Raiders have spent years looking for their lost leader. IfBorderlands 4 takes place right after Borderlands 3’s Director’s Cut, not much time will have gone by since Lilith first disappeared. In turn, Ava and the other characters finding her would be a lot less impactful than it would if years had gone by since Lilith first flew into Elpis.

A time gap could also give Gearbox an excuse to introduce new planets for Borderlands players to explore, as Ava could make it clear early on that the Crimson Raiders already searched for Lilith in familiar locations like Promethea and Eden-6. An unexpected breakthrough could happen at the start of Borderlands 4, with Ava taking the crew of Sanctuary