Borderlands 4 Preview Fulfills Dying Fan's Wish

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

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise: "Whatever We Can to Make Something Happen"

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling terminal cancer, made an emotional plea on Reddit. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, he expressed his deep love for the Borderlands series and his desire to play the upcoming installment before his passing. Borderlands 4 is currently slated for a 2025 release.

McAlpine's heartfelt request didn't go unheard. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), assuring McAlpine and the community that they would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Subsequent communication between Pitchford and McAlpine has been confirmed.

Borderlands 4 was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, with a projected 2025 release. However, this timeframe leaves considerable uncertainty for McAlpine, whose prognosis, according to his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, as detailed in a September GoFundMe update. His fundraising campaign, aiming for $9,000 to cover medical expenses, has currently raised $6,210.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of compassion isn't unprecedented for Gearbox. 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, "Trevonator," named in his honor.

Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, a deceased fan, by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him, offering players valuable rewards and an achievement.

The release date for Borderlands 4 remains distant, but McAlpine and other fans can be reassured by Gearbox's commitment to creating a memorable experience. Pitchford's statement in a Business Wire press release emphasized the team's dedication to improving upon previous Borderlands titles and exploring new directions.

Further details about Borderlands 4's features await future announcements. In the interim, fans can add the game to their Steam wishlists and follow updates for the official release date.