Terminal Fan's Dream: Early Look at Borderlands 4 Revealed

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford commits to fulfilling the wish of a terminally ill Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO Pledges Support for Dying Fan

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, expressed his heartfelt desire to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. Diagnosed in August, Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. He expressed his fervent love for the series and his hope to experience the next installment, currently slated for a 2025 release.

McAlpine's emotional appeal didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), promising to explore every avenue to make Caleb's wish a reality. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

Revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, Borderlands 4 is anticipated for a 2025 release. However, the lack of a concrete release date leaves a significant timeframe before the game's launch, a luxury McAlpine unfortunately lacks. His GoFundMe page indicates a prognosis of 7-12 months, potentially extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from faith and the support of his community. His GoFundMe campaign has raised over $6,000 towards his medical expenses.

Gearbox's History of Compassion for Fans

This isn't the first time Gearbox has demonstrated empathy towards its fans. In 2019, they granted a similar request to Trevor Eastman, another Borderlands enthusiast battling cancer, providing him with 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.

Further highlighting Gearbox's commitment to its community, they previously honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, a deceased fan, by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him. This NPC rewards players, commemorating Mamaril's love for the game.

While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, Gearbox's dedication to fulfilling McAlpine's wish, coupled with their past actions, offers hope and underscores their commitment to their player base. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox aims to elevate Borderlands 4 to new heights, surpassing previous installments. Further details on the game's features are eagerly awaited by fans.