Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to grant terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4.
Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early
Gearbox CEO Responds to Fan's Plea
Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling stage 4 cancer, publicly expressed his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. His heartfelt Reddit post resonated deeply within the gaming community. Diagnosed in August, Caleb's wish to play the upcoming 2025 release touched Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded via Twitter (X) with a commitment to fulfilling McAlpine's request. Pitchford confirmed ongoing email communication to facilitate this.
Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release. However, McAlpine's limited time necessitates immediate action. His GoFundMe page details his diagnosis and prognosis of 7-12 months, potentially extending to two years with successful treatment.
Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign, nearing its $9,000 goal, supports his medical expenses.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This act of compassion isn't unprecedented for Gearbox. 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 in-game weapon, "Trevonator," named in his honor.
Furthermore, in 2011, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, another deceased fan, by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him. This NPC rewards players with high-quality items, granting a unique "Tribute to A Vault Hunter" achievement.
Gearbox's commitment to its fanbase is evident in its actions. While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, McAlpine's situation highlights the company's dedication to its players. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox aims to surpass expectations with Borderlands 4, promising an enhanced experience and exciting new directions. Further details are eagerly awaited by fans. In the meantime, players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists.
