Summary
Borderlands 3might not have been the most well-received title in theBorderlandsseries, but its story undoubtedly ended with an emotional bang, as Lilith put herself in harm’s way to teleport Elpis, Pandora’s moon, away when it threatened to collide with the planet. Using her Siren powers, Lilith engulfed Elpis in flames, leaving her Firehawk symbol on its surface and many fans speculating on whether she was dead. Fortunately, Gearbox eventually revealed thatLilith was, in fact, not dead, though her fate is still unknown to this day. Now, asBorderlands 4prepares for launch, it might be tempted to mention Lilith, but it would arguably be better off avoiding that.
There aren’t any real benefits toBorderlands 4revealing Lilith’s fate before the game’s release, though its teaser trailer has certainly hinted at it. In the game’s teaser trailer, not only does Lilith’s Firehawk symbol appear in the space aboveBorderlands 4’s new location, Kairos, but a flaming object that could be the beloved Siren herself can be seen appearing in the sky alongside Elpis once it emerges through Lilith’s portal. Apart from that very much unconfirmed reveal of Lilith, nothing else has been said or shown. Now, it should stay that way for the remainder ofBorderlands 4’s marketing phase, until players actually get firsthand experience with the game.
Keeping Lilith’s Fate Under Wraps Would Build Suspense and Intrigue
One of the main reasonsBorderlands 4might want to keep Lilith’s fate under wraps ahead of the game’s launch is that it would help build suspense and intrigue among fans.Borderlands 3ended the way it did on purpose — leaving Lilith’s fate, and that of Elpis, unknown —so ifBorderlands 4were to outright reveal the outcome of that ending ahead of its release, it would arguably diminish the emotional weight carried by the last game’s conclusion. By withholding any information aboutLilith’s fate or whereabouts inBorderlands 4ahead of its launch, the game’s marketing can maintain the mystery and anticipation among fans, thereby encouraging further speculation and discussion in the community.
Arguably, one of the most efficient indirect marketing methods is community-driven discussion, andBorderlands 4could take advantage of that by keeping Lilith’s fate a secret.
It’s not clear whether Lilith’s fate will play a prominent role inBorderlands 4’s story, but it certainly seems that way with how cryptic Gearbox and every reveal for the game so far has been about her. In light of that, revealing too much about Lilith ahead of time could spoil key plot points or lessen the impact of surprises that are integral toBorderlands 4’s story. Keeping her fate a mystery helps ensure players experience these moments together, and it would fall right in line withBorderlands' history of satisfying plot twists and character-driven stories.
Not only would maintaining the mystery of Lilith’s fate ahead ofBorderlands 4’s launch help sustain the emotional impact ofBorderlands 3’s ending, but it would also heighten the emotional impact of her reveal inBorderlands 4’s story. Of course, since Gearbox has confirmed that Lilith is still alive, players won’t find her dead inBorderlands 4. However, that doesn’t mean she won’t eventually end up that way, and any reveals about her fate ahead of release could give fans too many clues and potentially spoil that part of the story for them if they happen to connect the dots.
In the end,Borderlands 4has a rare opportunity to leverage the emotional weight and narrativemystery left behind byBorderlands 3if it continues holding Lilith’s fate close to the chest. The Siren’s legacy burns brightest when left up to the interpretation of fans ahead ofBorderlands 4’s launch, as it allows players to uncover the truth together, in the moment, as part of the shared adventure. By fully embracing this approach,Borderlands 4can ensure its story impacts players on an even deeper level, with the surprises and emotional payoff that have become the signature of the quintessentialBorderlandsexperience.
