Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, who is courageously battling cancer, was granted a unique opportunity to experience Borderlands 4 early, thanks to the game's community and Gearbox. Dive into the heartwarming story of his journey and the impact it had on him.
Gearbox Fulfilled a Fan’s Wish
Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek
Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan facing cancer, had his dream come true when he was invited to play the eagerly anticipated Borderlands 4. On November 26, Caleb shared his incredible experience on Reddit, detailing how Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio on the 20th of the month. There, they toured the facilities and met the developers, including some of the minds behind all the Borderlands games, up to Randy Pitchford, the CEO.
"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing," Caleb enthused. After their studio visit, he and his friend stayed at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, near The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel, touched by Caleb's story, arranged a VIP tour of the entire facility for them.
While Caleb kept the details of Borderlands 4 under wraps, he described the entire event as "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported his request and showed him love and support during his challenging time.
Caleb’s Request to Gearbox
On October 24, 2024, Caleb reached out to the Borderlands community on Reddit, sharing his medical condition and his wish to play Borderlands 4 before his time ran out. "I was given 7-12 months and IF chemo works to slow the progression of the cancer I still have less than 2 years," he explained. He asked if anyone knew how to contact Gearbox to see if he could play the game early, acknowledging it as a "long shot."
The Borderlands community rallied around Caleb, spreading his request far and wide. Many reached out to Gearbox, advocating for Caleb's wish to be granted. Within the same day, Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford, responded on Twitter (X), stating, "Caleb and I are now chatting via e-mail and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." After about a month of communication, Gearbox made Caleb's dream a reality, allowing him to play Borderlands 4 before its 2025 release.
In addition to this heartwarming gesture, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Caleb in his ongoing battle with cancer. The campaign has raised $12,415 USD, surpassing its $9,000 goal, as more people continue to support Caleb's cause, inspired by his story and the opportunity he received to play Borderlands 4.
