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 the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise: Making a Dream Come True

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, shared his heartfelt desire to play Borderlands 4 before his passing on Reddit. Diagnosed in August, his love for the series prompted his plea for early access to the 2025 title.

McAlpine's request resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a commitment to assist. Pitchford expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and assured McAlpine that they'd "do whatever we can to make something happen," adding that they've since been in email contact.

Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release. However, McAlpine's limited time necessitates immediate action. His GoFundMe page details his diagnosis and 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 campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered significant support.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of compassion isn't unprecedented for Gearbox. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, another fan battling cancer. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, prompting Gearbox to honor 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 requested by Mamaril's friend. This NPC rewards players with high-quality items, further demonstrating Gearbox's dedication to its community.

While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, Gearbox's commitment to McAlpine and their history of supporting fans underscores their dedication to creating a cherished gaming experience. Pitchford's statement in a Business Wire press release highlights their ambitious goals for Borderlands 4, promising enhancements and exciting new directions. Further details will be revealed in due course. In the meantime, fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists and follow updates on the official channels.