A Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish: Early Access to Borderlands 4
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to grant the heartfelt request of Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands fan battling terminal cancer, to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 ahead of its official launch.
Caleb's Plea for an Early Look
Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his ardent wish to play Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. His deep affection for the Borderlands franchise and the desire to partake in the anticipated 2025 release touched the hearts of many. His plea read, "As a devoted Borderlands fan, I'm uncertain if I'll live to see Borderlands 4. Could anyone help me contact Gearbox to explore the possibility of early access?"
Gearbox's Response and Commitment
The message resonated deeply with Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (now X), promising to explore all avenues to fulfill Caleb's wish. Pitchford stated, "We'll do everything possible to make this happen," and confirmed subsequent email correspondence with Caleb.
A Race Against Time
Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is tentatively slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeline presents a significant challenge for Caleb, whose prognosis, as detailed on his GoFundMe page, indicates a life expectancy of 7 to 12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful chemotherapy.
Despite his prognosis, Caleb maintains an optimistic outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered $6,210 in donations.
Gearbox's History of Compassion
This isn't the first instance of Gearbox demonstrating empathy towards its community. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3, a gesture that fulfilled a cherished wish before his passing in October of that year. In his memory, Gearbox created the legendary weapon, the Trevonator. Further demonstrating their compassion, they honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, another fan, by including an NPC named after him in Borderlands 2.
The Future of Borderlands 4
While Borderlands 4's release date remains in the future, Gearbox's commitment to making Caleb's experience unforgettable underscores their dedication to their fans. Pitchford's statement, "We at Gearbox have ambitious plans for Borderlands 4, striving to enhance every aspect we love about the series and elevate the game to unprecedented levels," highlights their dedication to the game's development.
