Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to make every effort 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's Promise: "Whatever It Takes"
37-year-old Caleb McAlpine, battling terminal cancer, expressed his heartfelt desire on Reddit to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb's love for the series prompted his plea for early access to the 2025 release.
McAlpine's moving request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), promising to explore all options to fulfill Caleb's wish. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.
Revealed at Gamescom 2024, Borderlands 4's 2025 release date leaves a considerable wait, a luxury Caleb doesn't have. His GoFundMe page details his stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with doctors estimating a life expectancy 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 for $9,000 to cover medical expenses, has already raised over $6,210.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This isn't Gearbox's first act of compassion. 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 "Trevonator" weapon named in his honor.
Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him, a testament to their dedication to their community.
Gearbox's commitment to fulfilling McAlpine's wish underscores their dedication to their fans. While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, Gearbox's promise offers hope and comfort to McAlpine and other devoted players. As Pitchford stated, Gearbox aims to elevate the Borderlands experience to new heights. Further details on Borderlands 4 will be revealed in due course. For now, players can wishlist the game on Steam and await further announcements.
