Borderlands 4 Unveiled: Terminal Fan's Dream Realized

Borderlands 4 Early Access Granted to Terminally Ill Fan Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to help terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine play the upcoming Borderlands 4 early, fulfilling a heartfelt wish.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO Responds to Fan's Plea

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, expressed his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. Diagnosed in August, he shared his deep love for the series and his hope to play the anticipated 2025 release.

McAlpine's touching request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), promising to explore every avenue to make it happen. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

Borderlands 4 Early Access Granted to Terminally Ill Fan Revealed at Gamescom 2024, Borderlands 4's 2025 release date leaves a significant timeframe before its launch, a luxury McAlpine unfortunately lacks. His GoFundMe page details his prognosis of 7-12 months, potentially extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to cover medical expenses, has already raised over $6,000.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

Borderlands 4 Early Access Granted to Terminally Ill Fan This isn't the first time Gearbox has demonstrated compassion for its community. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, another Borderlands fan battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the in-game weapon, the Trevonator, named in his honor.

Borderlands 4 Early Access Granted to Terminally Ill Fan Another touching example involves Michael Mamaril, who passed away in 2011. Following his death, Gearbox honored a request from his friend, incorporating a tribute from Claptrap, Mamaril's favorite character, and even creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 in his memory.

Gearbox's commitment to its fans is evident, extending beyond the game itself. While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, the company's dedication to creating a memorable experience, as stated in a Business Wire press release, reassures fans. The specifics of the game's new directions remain to be seen, but fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlist to stay updated.