A current promotional offer from 2K Games provides U.S. consumers with an opportunity to acquire the video game Borderlands 2 at no cost through the Steam digital distribution platform. This limited-time giveaway is part of a broader franchise-wide sale on Steam, featuring significant discounts on other games and downloadable content (DLC) within the Borderlands series. The free game offer is strictly time-bound, requiring interested individuals to act before a specified deadline to permanently add the title to their digital library.
Offer Details and Redemption Process
The free offer for Borderlands 2 is available exclusively through the Steam store. According to multiple sources, the process to claim the game is straightforward. Users must be logged into their Steam account, navigate to the store page for Borderlands 2, and select the option to add the game to their account. This action permanently adds the game to the user's library, allowing for download and play at any time after the claim period ends. The offer is described as a permanent acquisition, not a temporary trial or rental.
The exact deadline for claiming the free game has been reported with minor variations across sources. One source specifies the offer is available until June 8, 2025, at 5 PM UTC. Another source corroborates the June 8 date but specifies a time of 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. A third source indicates the offer is available for two weeks and ends on June 19. Given the proximity of these dates and the context of a time-limited promotion, it is prudent for consumers to act promptly. The most specific and consistent deadline cited is June 8, 2025.
Franchise-Wide Sale Context
The free game offer is not an isolated event but is part of a larger Borderlands Franchise Sale on Steam. This sale includes discounted pricing on numerous other titles and add-on content within the series. The sale period is reported to extend beyond the free game offer, ending on June 18, 2025, at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. This provides a broader window for consumers to purchase other games in the series at reduced prices.
Specific deals available during the franchise sale include: * Borderlands 3 for $3 * Borderlands Collection: Pandora's Box (which includes Borderlands, Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3, and various DLC) for $35.67 * Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition for $24.80 * New Tales from the Borderlands for $20 * Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced for $9.89 * Borderlands: The Handsome Collection for $14.52 * Tales from the Borderlands for $15 * Borderlands 2 Season Pass for $15 * Borderlands 3 Season Pass 2 for $18 * Borderlands 3 Season Pass for $15 * Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel for $4 * Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Season Pass for $15
This sale allows consumers who claim the free Borderlands 2 game to explore the series further by purchasing additional content at a discount.
Game Overview and Considerations
Borderlands 2 is a 2012 looter-shooter video game developed by Gearbox Software. The game features a four-player cooperative mode where players choose from one of four "Vault Hunters," each with unique skill trees and abilities. The core gameplay involves exploring the hostile planet of Pandora, completing missions, and engaging in combat against various enemies, including the primary antagonist, Handsome Jack. The game is known for its distinctive art style, humor, and emphasis on collecting randomized weapons and gear.
It is important for potential claimants to be aware of the game's current reception on the Steam platform. As noted in the source material, Borderlands 2 has recently received a significant number of negative user reviews, pushing its review status to "Overwhelmingly Negative." This change is reportedly linked to a recent update. However, the sources also clarify that the core gameplay experience remains unchanged and is considered by many to be one of the best entries in the series.
Additionally, the game has an older native Linux port, and it is reported to run well using the Proton compatibility layer on Linux systems. For U.S. consumers, the primary consideration is the time-sensitive nature of the free offer and the understanding of the game's current technical and community reception status.
Eligibility and Requirements
The primary requirement to claim the free Borderlands 2 game is access to the Steam platform and a Steam account. The offer is available to anyone who can access the Steam store before the deadline. No purchase is necessary to claim the free game. The sources do not specify any geographic restrictions, but as the primary sources are English-language gaming news outlets and the official Borderlands website, the promotion is likely intended for a global audience, including the United States.
For the broader Borderlands franchise sale, the same Steam account requirement applies. Prices are listed in U.S. dollars, indicating the sale is active for the U.S. market.
Conclusion
The opportunity to acquire Borderlands 2 for free on Steam is a legitimate, time-limited promotion from 2K Games. Consumers interested in adding this title to their digital library should act before the offer expires, with the most consistently reported deadline being June 8, 2025. The claim process is simple and requires only a Steam account. This free offer is part of a larger sale on the Borderlands series, providing additional opportunities for discounted purchases. Potential claimants should be aware of the game's recent negative review trend on Steam, though the core gameplay is reported to be intact. As with any digital promotion, interested individuals should verify the offer's availability directly on the official Steam store page.