Borderlands 4 Early Look is Terminally Ill Fan's Wish

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to grant terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine's wish to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.

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, publicly expressed his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb shared his fervent hope on Reddit to play the anticipated looter-shooter, slated for a 2025 release.

McAlpine's heartfelt request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), promising to explore every avenue to make Caleb's wish a reality. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

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

Despite his circumstances, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. His GoFundMe page, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered over $6,210 in donations.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of compassion from Gearbox isn't unprecedented. 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 in-game legendary weapon, the Trevonator.

Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, another deceased fan, by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him.

Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident. While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, the company's dedication to fulfilling McAlpine's wish underscores their care for their players. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox is striving to elevate Borderlands 4 beyond expectations.

Further details about Borderlands 4's features remain forthcoming. In the meantime, fans can add the game to their Steam wishlists and monitor updates for release information.