Borderlands 4 Early Look is Terminally Ill Fan's Wish

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to grant terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise: Making a Fan's Dream Come True

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling terminal cancer, expressed his heartfelt wish on Reddit to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb's love for the series prompted his plea for early access to the 2025 release.

McAlpine's request didn't go unheard. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), assuring Caleb that they would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Subsequent communication between Pitchford and McAlpine has confirmed ongoing efforts to fulfill this wish.

Revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, Borderlands 4's 2025 release date leaves a considerable wait for most players. However, McAlpine's time is unfortunately limited. His GoFundMe page details his stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with a prognosis of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe, which has raised over $6,210 towards its $9,000 goal, will support his medical expenses.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't the first instance of Gearbox's compassionate response to fans facing adversity. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, battling 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.

In 2011, following the death of fan Michael Mamaril, Gearbox created an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him, a tribute that also rewards players with high-quality items.

Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident. While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, the company's efforts to grant McAlpine's wish highlight their dedication to their players. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox aims to make Borderlands 4 "better than ever before." Further details on the game are eagerly anticipated. In the meantime, players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlist.