Borderlands 4 Early Access Raves Review

A heartwarming story unfolds: cancer patient Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands fan, experienced the magic of Borderlands 4 early thanks to the gaming community and Gearbox Software. Read on to discover this inspiring tale.

Gearbox Grants a Fan's Wish

An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine, a passionate Borderlands player battling cancer, saw his dream realized: playing the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. In a November 26th Reddit post, Caleb shared his incredible journey, detailing his trip to Gearbox Studios. There, he met the developers and received an exclusive sneak peek at the game.

Caleb's words paint a vivid picture: "We played the current build of Borderlands 4, and it was amazing!" He further recounted the trip: "Gearbox flew my friend and me first-class on the 20th, we toured the studio, and met incredible people, from Borderlands developers to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."

Following this unforgettable experience, Caleb and his friend enjoyed the hospitality of the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, even receiving a VIP tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel’s generosity added another layer to this extraordinary event.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he emphasized the profound impact of the experience: "It was an amazing, awesome experience." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered their kindness.

Caleb's Plea to Gearbox

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit. He openly discussed his diagnosis, stating, "I've been given 7-12 months, and even with successful chemo, I have less than two years." His desire: to play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He posed the question, "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox to see if early access is possible?"

Despite acknowledging the long odds, Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. An outpouring of support followed, with many contacting Gearbox to champion his cause.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly on Twitter (X), directly referencing Caleb's Reddit post: "Caleb and I are now emailing, and we'll do everything we can to make this happen." After a month of communication, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's wish.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb's fight against cancer. The campaign has already exceeded $12,415 USD, surpassing its $9,000 goal, fueled by the heartwarming story of his Borderlands 4 experience.