Borderlands 4: Early Preview for Terminally Ill Fan

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford personally pledged to fulfill the heartfelt wish of a dying Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early Granted

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

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling terminal cancer, made an emotional appeal on Reddit. His wish? To play Borderlands 4 before succumbing to his illness. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep love for the Borderlands franchise and his desire to experience the next installment, slated for a 2025 release.

"I'm a huge Borderlands fan, and I'm unsure if I'll live to see Borderlands 4," Caleb shared. "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox to see if early access is possible?"

His plea reached Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a heartwarming promise to assist. Pitchford thanked those who brought the request to his attention and assured Caleb that they would "do everything we can to make this happen." He later confirmed ongoing email communication with Caleb.

Borderlands 4 was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, with a projected 2025 release. However, this timeframe offers little hope for Caleb, given his prognosis. His GoFundMe page reveals a stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with doctors estimating a life expectancy of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful chemotherapy.

Despite his grim diagnosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook. "Some days are harder than others; sometimes I want to give up," he wrote in a September GoFundMe update. "But I think of Job in the Bible, who lost everything but never his faith. That's what I have – faith that God will guide the doctors to heal me."

At the time of this writing, his GoFundMe has raised $6,210 from 128 donations, nearing his $9,000 goal for medical expenses and essential needs.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't Gearbox's first act of kindness towards ill fans. In May 2019, 27-year-old Trevor Eastman, battling esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, he passed away later that year, but Gearbox honored his memory by naming a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, after him.

Another touching example involved Borderlands fan Michael Mamaril, who passed away at 22. His friend requested a Claptrap tribute in Borderlands 2. Gearbox went further, creating an NPC in Sanctuary named after Mamaril, who rewards players with high-quality items, granting a special achievement.

While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, McAlpine and other fans can find comfort in Gearbox's dedication to creating a cherished game. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, "We at Gearbox have huge ambitions for Borderlands 4, striving to enhance everything we love about Borderlands while breaking new ground."

Further details about Borderlands 4's innovations remain to be seen. In the meantime, add it to your Steam wishlist and stay updated on the release date.