How To Claim A Free Copy Of Borderlands 2 On Steam A Limited-Time Promotion

2K Games and Valve have partnered to offer a significant promotional giveaway for the popular video game Borderlands 2. This offer is currently available to all PC users via the Steam platform. According to multiple gaming news outlets reporting on the event, the promotion allows players to acquire a permanent copy of the game at no cost. The offer is time-sensitive, requiring users to act before the specified deadline to secure the game in their digital library.

The promotional giveaway serves as a marketing initiative to generate interest in the Borderlands franchise. This strategy is particularly relevant given the upcoming release of Borderlands 4, which is scheduled to launch in the near future. By providing access to the second installment of the series, the publishers aim to introduce new players to the franchise's mechanics and narrative. Additionally, a broader franchise sale is running concurrently, offering discounts on other titles and downloadable content (DLC) for those who wish to expand their collection after claiming the free base game.

Offer Details and Redemption Deadline

The primary detail regarding this promotional offer is the strict deadline for claiming the free game. According to the provided documentation, the offer is active until June 8, 2025. However, there is a discrepancy regarding the specific time of expiration. Some sources state the offer ends at 5 PM UTC, while others specify 10 AM Pacific Time (PT) or 1 PM Eastern Time (ET) on June 8.

To claim the game, users must navigate to the Borderlands 2 store page on the Steam platform. The process involves adding the game to the shopping cart and completing the checkout process. No payment method is required to complete this transaction, and the game is permanently added to the user's Steam library upon successful redemption. Once claimed, the game remains accessible to the user indefinitely, even after the promotional period ends.

The Borderlands 2 Experience

Borderlands 2 is described as a cooperative action role-playing game (RPG) set in a sci-fi world. Released in 2012, it features a "looter-shooter" gameplay loop where players choose from four distinct Vault Hunters, each possessing unique skills and abilities. The game takes place on the planet Pandora, where players battle hostile creatures, psychos, and the primary antagonist, Handsome Jack.

The game supports both solo play and four-player cooperative multiplayer. A notable feature is the seamless drop-in and drop-out system, which allows players to join or leave a friend's game session without needing to restart the campaign. Progression and gear collected in one session carry over to any other session the player joins. The game is also noted for its vast array of weaponry, with innumerable variations based on rarity and stats.

Concurrent Franchise Sales and Other Promotions

In addition to the free giveaway, 2K Games has initiated a franchise-wide sale on Steam. This sale includes discounts on Borderlands, Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3, and their respective DLCs. A specific collection mentioned is the "Pandora's Box," which includes the first three games and extensive DLC content, offered at a discounted price of $35.67. The franchise sale is scheduled to run longer than the free game offer, ending on June 18, 2025.

It is also noted that other gaming platforms are running similar promotions. For instance, Epic Games recently offered free copies of "Tiny Tina's Wonderlands" and is currently offering "Deathloop" for free. These concurrent promotions suggest a broader trend of publishers using free game giveaways to attract users to their platforms.

Potential Requirements and User Feedback

While the core process of claiming the game is straightforward, the documentation mentions a recent update regarding account requirements. Specifically, a SHiFT account requirement has been introduced. SHiFT is an optional cross-platform account system used by Gearbox Software to manage rewards and cross-play features. The documentation notes that this requirement has sparked criticism among some users, although it does not provide specific details on the nature of the criticism or whether the account is mandatory to play the game. Users should be aware that they may encounter prompts to create or link a SHiFT account when launching the game.

Conclusion

The offer to claim Borderlands 2 for free on Steam is a legitimate, time-limited promotion. The deadline to redeem this offer is June 8, 2025. Users interested in acquiring the game should visit the Steam store page and complete the checkout process before the expiration time to add the game to their library permanently. Alongside this giveaway, a franchise sale is available for those interested in purchasing other games or content in the Borderlands series.

Sources

1. Guru3D
2. GameSpot
3. OpenCritic
4. DSOGaming
5. DLCompare