Borderlands 4 Early Look is Terminally Ill Fan's Wish

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to fulfill the wish of a terminally ill Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise to Make it Happen

Caleb McAlpine (37), a devoted Borderlands fan battling terminal cancer, made an emotional plea on Reddit: He yearned to play Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep love for the series and his desire to experience the upcoming 2025 release.

McAlpine's heartfelt request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), promising to explore every avenue to grant Caleb's wish. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeframe presents a significant challenge for McAlpine, whose prognosis, according to his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, as detailed in a September GoFundMe update. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered $6,210 from 128 donations.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't the first instance of Gearbox demonstrating compassion towards its community. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, another Borderlands fan fighting cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but Gearbox honored his memory by naming a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, after him.

Another touching tribute involved Michael Mamaril, a Borderlands fan who passed away in 2011. Gearbox included an NPC named after him in Borderlands 2, rewarding players with high-quality items and a special achievement.

While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, Gearbox's commitment to McAlpine and its fans is evident. Pitchford's Business Wire statement highlights Gearbox's dedication to exceeding expectations with Borderlands 4. Further details about the game's direction are yet to be revealed. In the meantime, fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists and follow updates for release information.