Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford fulfills the heartfelt wish of a dying Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.
Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early Granted
Gearbox CEO's Promise: Making a Terminally Ill Fan's Dream Come True
Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling terminal cancer, expressed his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community, highlighting his profound love for the series.
"I'm a huge Borderlands fan, and I don't know if I'll be around for Borderlands 4," McAlpine wrote. "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox to see if early access is possible?"
His request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), pledging to assist: "We'll do everything we can to make this happen," he tweeted, later confirming email communication with McAlpine.
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, according to his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.
Despite his grim diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. A September GoFundMe update stated, "Some days are tougher than others, but I hold onto my faith." His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered over $6,210 in donations.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This isn't the first time Gearbox has shown remarkable kindness to ill fans. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, he passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the "Trevonator" legendary weapon named in his honor.
In 2011, following the death of fan Michael Mamaril, Gearbox included a touching tribute to him in Borderlands 2, featuring an NPC named after him who rewards players with valuable loot.
Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident. While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, the company's actions demonstrate a deep respect for its players. As Pitchford emphasized in a Business Wire press release, "We're pouring our hearts into making Borderlands 4 the best yet, pushing the game to new heights."
Further details about Borderlands 4 await, but players can add it to their Steam wishlists and follow updates for release information.
