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 Responds to Fan's Plea

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling stage 4 cancer, publicly expressed his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. His heartfelt request on Reddit touched the hearts of many, including Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), assuring McAlpine that Gearbox would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Subsequent communication confirmed ongoing efforts to fulfill McAlpine's wish.

"I am a diehard Borderlands fan and don’t know if I will be around for Borderlands 4," McAlpine shared on Reddit. His plea highlighted the urgency of his situation, given his prognosis of 7-12 months, potentially extending to two years with successful treatment.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, McAlpine's limited time underscores the significance of Pitchford's commitment. A GoFundMe campaign established to assist with McAlpine's medical expenses has garnered significant support, nearing its fundraising goal.

McAlpine maintains a positive outlook amidst his challenges. "Some days will be harder than others," he acknowledged in a GoFundMe update, "But I have faith."

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of compassion aligns with Gearbox's past actions. 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" legendary weapon named in his honor.

Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2, granting a special in-game tribute.

While Borderlands 4's official release remains some time away, Gearbox's dedication to fulfilling McAlpine's wish highlights their commitment to their community. As Pitchford emphasized in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox is striving to "make everything we love about Borderlands better than ever before."

Further details regarding Borderlands 4's features and gameplay await. In the meantime, fans can add the game to their Steam wishlists and stay updated on the release date.