Terminally Ill Fan Gets Early Look at Borderlands 4

Gearbox CEO fulfills dying Borderlands fan's wish to play Borderlands 4 early

A terminally ill Borderlands fan's heartfelt plea to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 early has touched the hearts of many, including Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. 37-year-old Caleb McAlpine, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, shared his wish on Reddit, hoping to experience the game before he passes. His request didn't go unnoticed.

Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), pledging to make every effort to grant Caleb's wish. He confirmed subsequent email communication, assuring fans that they are working to make it happen.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release. However, Caleb's limited time underscores the urgency of his request. His GoFundMe page, aiming to cover medical expenses, has already received significant support. Despite his prognosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith.

This act of kindness mirrors Gearbox's past compassionate gestures. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to another ailing fan, Trevor Eastman, who sadly passed away later that year. In his memory, they named a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, after him. A similar tribute was given to Michael Mamaril in Borderlands 2, further showcasing Gearbox's commitment to its community.

While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, Gearbox's promise to fulfill Caleb's wish offers hope. Pitchford's statement highlighting Gearbox's "massive ambitions" for Borderlands 4 further assures fans of a highly anticipated sequel. Further details about the game's features are eagerly awaited. Until then, players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlist to stay updated.