Borderlands 4 Early Look is Terminally Ill Fan's Wish

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford fulfills the wish of a dying Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early Granted

Gearbox CEO Responds to Fan's Plea

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, expressed his heartfelt desire to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 before his passing. His Reddit post, detailing his love for the series and his terminal diagnosis (received in August), touched the hearts of many. He sought a way to connect with Gearbox to explore the possibility of early access.

McAlpine's plea didn't go unheard. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), promising to do everything possible to make McAlpine's wish come true. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication, indicating active efforts to grant the request.

Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeframe presents a significant challenge for McAlpine, whose prognosis, according to his GoFundMe page, estimates a remaining life expectancy of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his circumstances, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered significant support, exceeding $6,210 at the time of writing.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This compassionate act by Gearbox isn't unprecedented. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, another fan battling cancer. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the "Trevonator," a legendary weapon named in his honor.

Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, a deceased fan, by including an NPC named after him in Borderlands 2, a tribute that rewards players with valuable in-game items.

Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident in these acts of kindness. While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, McAlpine and other fans can anticipate a game developed with passion and care, as highlighted by Pitchford's statement in a Business Wire press release emphasizing Gearbox's ambitious goals for the game. Fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists to stay updated on the release.