Heartbreaking: Dying Fan's Dream of Borderlands 4 Unveiled

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to help terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.

Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO's Promise: Making a Dream Come True

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling terminal cancer, appealed to the gaming community on Reddit, expressing his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb shared his passion for the series and his heartfelt wish.

McAlpine's moving plea didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on Twitter (X), promising to explore every avenue to make Caleb's dream a reality. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.

Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeframe presents a significant challenge for McAlpine, whose prognosis, as detailed on his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.

Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. His GoFundMe page, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered over $6,210 in donations.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This isn't the first time Gearbox has demonstrated compassion for its fans. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Eastman 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 by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him, a tribute requested by Mamaril's friend.

Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident. While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, McAlpine and other fans can anticipate a game developed with passion and dedication, as stated by Pitchford in a Business Wire press release. Further details about the game's direction are eagerly awaited. In the meantime, players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists.