Borderlands 4 Teased as Dying Fan's Last 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's Promise: Making a Fan's Dream Come True

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling terminal cancer, expressed his heartfelt desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the gaming community, highlighting his unwavering love for the Borderlands franchise.

McAlpine's emotional request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), assuring Caleb that they would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Subsequent communication via email indicates active efforts to fulfill this wish.

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 estimates a remaining life expectancy of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful chemotherapy.

Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from faith and the support of his community. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to cover medical expenses, has garnered significant support, nearing its $9,000 goal.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This compassionate gesture 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 "Trevonator," a legendary in-game weapon named in his honor.

In 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, a fan who passed away at 22, by including a tribute from Claptrap and an NPC named after him in Borderlands 2.

While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, Gearbox's commitment to fulfilling McAlpine's wish underscores their dedication to the community. Pitchford's statement emphasizes Gearbox's ambition to elevate the Borderlands experience to new heights.

Further details regarding Borderlands 4's features remain to be seen. In the meantime, fans can add the game to their Steam wishlist and stay updated on release information.