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 terminal cancer, made an emotional appeal on Reddit, expressing his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb shared his deep affection for the series and his heartfelt wish.

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

His plea resonated deeply, prompting a swift response from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford on Twitter (X). Pitchford expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and assured Caleb that they would "do everything possible to make this happen." Subsequent communication between Pitchford and McAlpine has been confirmed via email.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeframe presents a significant challenge for McAlpine, whose prognosis, according to his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. In a September GoFundMe update, he shared, "Some days are tougher than others, and there are times I want to give up. 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."

His GoFundMe campaign has raised $6,210 from 128 donors, nearing its $9,000 goal to cover medical expenses.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't Gearbox's first act of compassion. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, a Borderlands fan battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Eastman, who sadly passed away later that year, was posthumously honored with the "Trevonator" legendary weapon.

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.

The Borderlands 4 release date remains distant, but McAlpine and other fans can find comfort in Gearbox's commitment to delivering a cherished gaming experience. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, "We at Gearbox have immense ambitions for Borderlands 4, striving to improve upon everything we love about Borderlands while exploring exciting new directions."

Further details remain to be revealed. In the meantime, fans can wishlist Borderlands 4 on Steam and stay updated on the release.