Borderlands 4 Early Look is Terminally Ill Fan's Wish

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to make every effort to grant the wish of a terminally ill Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise: Making it Happen

Caleb McAlpine (37), a devoted Borderlands fan battling terminal cancer, appealed to the gaming community on Reddit, expressing his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb shared his passionate love for the franchise and his heartfelt wish.

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

His moving request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), promising to help fulfill Caleb's dream. Pitchford thanked those who brought the request to his attention and assured Caleb they'd "do everything possible to make it happen," adding that they've since been in email contact.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, without a concrete date, the game remains over a year away, barring unforeseen delays.

Unfortunately, Caleb's time is limited. 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 prognosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook. In a September GoFundMe update, he stated, "Some days are harder than others, and I want to give up sometimes. But I think of Job in the Bible, and how he kept 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 donations, nearing its $9,000 goal for medical expenses and essential needs.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't the first time Gearbox has shown compassion to ill fans. In May 2019, 27-year-old Trevor Eastman, battling esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Eastman sadly passed away in October 2019, but his memory lives on – Gearbox named a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, in his honor.

In 2011, following the death of Borderlands fan Michael Mamaril (22), his friend Carlos requested a Claptrap tribute in Borderlands 2. Gearbox responded by creating an NPC named after Mamaril in Sanctuary, rewarding players with valuable items and granting a special achievement.

While Borderlands 4's release remains distant, McAlpine and other fans can find comfort in Gearbox's commitment to making it a cherished experience. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, "We at Gearbox have huge ambitions for Borderlands 4, striving to improve everything we love about Borderlands while pushing the game to new heights."

Further details await, but fans can wishlist Borderlands 4 on Steam and follow updates for its release.