Borderlands 4 Teased as Dying Fan's Wish Granted

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

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early Granted

Gearbox CEO Responds to Fan's Plea

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling terminal cancer, appealed to the gaming community on Reddit with a heartfelt request: to play Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep love for the series and his desire to experience the anticipated 2025 release.

His plea resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a pledge to help. Pitchford assured Caleb that they would explore every avenue to make his wish come true, confirming subsequent email communication.

Revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, Borderlands 4's 2025 release date leaves a considerable wait for most players. However, Caleb's time is unfortunately limited. His GoFundMe page details his stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with doctors estimating a life expectancy of 7 to 12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his prognosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered significant support, exceeding $6,210 at the time of writing.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of kindness isn't unprecedented for Gearbox. In 2019, they granted a similar request to Trevor Eastman, another Borderlands fan fighting cancer, providing him with an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Trevor passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the in-game legendary weapon, the Trevonator.

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

Gearbox's commitment to its community extends beyond the game itself. While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, the company's actions underscore their dedication to creating a game worthy of their fans' enthusiasm. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox aims to elevate everything fans love about Borderlands, while pushing the franchise in exciting new directions.

Further details regarding these new directions are forthcoming. In the meantime, players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists and stay updated on the official release date.