Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to make every effort to grant terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine's wish to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.
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 terminal cancer, made an emotional appeal on Reddit: He yearned to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep love for the series and his desire to play the anticipated 2025 release.
McAlpine's heartfelt request didn't go unnoticed. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), promising to explore all avenues to fulfill Caleb's wish. Pitchford expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and assured Caleb that they would "do everything possible to make it happen," adding that they were already communicating via email.
Borderlands 4 was revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, with Gearbox targeting a 2025 release. However, without a concrete date, the game remains over a year away, barring unforeseen delays. This leaves McAlpine facing a critical time constraint. His GoFundMe page reveals a 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 chemotherapy.
Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook. In a September GoFundMe update, he shared, "Some days are tougher than others, and there are times I want to give up. But I think of Job in the Bible, who lost everything yet never lost faith. That's what I have – faith that God will guide the doctors to heal me."
At the time of writing, his GoFundMe has raised $6,210 from 128 donations, nearing its $9,000 goal. These funds will cover medical costs, supplies, and other essential needs.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This isn't Gearbox's first act of kindness towards ill fans. In May 2019, 27-year-old Trevor Eastman, battling esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Eastman expressed his gratitude, stating the game was a dream come true. Sadly, he passed away in October 2019. In tribute, Gearbox named a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, after him.
In 2011, following the death of Borderlands fan Michael Mamaril at 22, his friend Carlos requested a Claptrap tribute in Borderlands 2. Gearbox not only honored this request but created an NPC named after Mamaril in Sanctuary, rewarding players with high-quality items and a special achievement.
Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, but McAlpine and other fans can find comfort in Gearbox's commitment to creating a cherished game. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release, "We at Gearbox have immense ambitions for Borderlands 4, striving to improve everything we love about Borderlands while pushing the game to new heights." Further details await, but players can wishlist Borderlands 4 on Steam and stay updated on release information.
