Borderlands 4: Dying Fan's Plea for Final Adventure

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to help terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine play the upcoming Borderlands 4 early, fulfilling a heartfelt wish.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO Responds to Fan's Plea

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, shared his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing on Reddit. His plea resonated deeply with Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a promise to explore every avenue to make it happen. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

"I'm a huge Borderlands fan and I don't know if I'll be around for Borderlands 4," McAlpine shared. "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox about playing early?"

Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom 2024, is slated for a 2025 release, leaving a significant wait for most players. However, McAlpine's time is limited, as his GoFundMe page indicates a prognosis of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his diagnosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. He shared on his GoFundMe page, "Some days are harder than others, but I hold onto my faith that God will guide the doctors." His GoFundMe campaign has raised over $6,000 to assist with medical costs.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't the first time Gearbox has demonstrated compassion for its community. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, another fan battling cancer. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the "Trevonator" legendary weapon.

In 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him, providing a lasting tribute.

While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, Gearbox's commitment to making the game a cherished experience is evident. Pitchford's statement emphasizes the team's ambition to elevate the series to new heights. Further details on the game's features await future announcements. In the meantime, fans can wishlist Borderlands 4 on Steam.