Borderlands 4 Early Look for Terminally Ill Fan

Borderlands creator and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to do everything possible to honor the request of terminally ill fan Caleb McAlpine, who hopes to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 ahead of schedule.

Terminally Ill Borderlands Fan's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford Pledges to Do "Whatever It Takes to Make This Happen"

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling terminal cancer, turned to the Reddit community with a heartfelt appeal: he dreams of experiencing Borderlands 4 before his time runs out. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep affection for the Borderlands franchise and his desire to play the anticipated looter-shooter, which is currently slated for a 2025 release.

"As a lifelong Borderlands fan, I’m not sure if I’ll be here when Borderlands 4 launches," McAlpine shared. "Is there anyone who can help connect me with Gearbox to explore if early access might be possible?"

Caleb’s emotional request caught the attention of Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a commitment to help fulfill this dream. In his post, Pitchford thanked everyone who brought the situation to his attention and assured Caleb, "We will do whatever we can to make something happen." Pitchford later confirmed that they have begun "corresponding via email."

Borderlands 4 was officially revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, with Gearbox indicating a tentative 2025 launch. Without a concrete release date, however, the game remains at least a year away, barring unexpected development setbacks.

Sadly, time is a luxury Caleb McAlpine does not have. According to his GoFundMe page, the 37-year-old was diagnosed with stage 4 colon and liver cancer. In his Reddit post, he explained that doctors estimate his remaining life expectancy at just 7 to 12 months, extending to a maximum of two years even with successful chemotherapy.

Despite these challenges, McAlpine strives to stay positive. "Some days will be tougher than others, and there will be moments I feel like giving up," McAlpine wrote in a September update on his GoFundMe page. "But I often think of Job from the Bible—how everything was taken from him, yet he held onto his faith. That’s what I have: faith that God will guide my doctors toward healing, so I can continue to be the same loving, endearingly annoying Caleb that everyone knows."

As of this writing, his GoFundMe campaign has raised $6,210 from 128 supporters, approaching his $9,000 goal. These funds will help cover his medical bills, supplies, and other essential expenses in his fight against cancer.

Gearbox’s History of Honoring Fans Through Borderlands

This is not the first time Gearbox has shown compassion toward dedicated fans facing serious illness. In May 2019, Trevor Eastman, then 27, who was battling esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3.

"A representative from 2K has been in touch with me (I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share their name, so I’ll keep it private), and they’re making it happen," Eastman said at the time. "They plan to send someone out in early June to deliver a copy of the game. I can’t thank you all enough for helping make this dream come true. It means the world that so many people cared enough to support me."

Tragically, Eastman passed away that October. In his memory, Gearbox immortalized him by naming a legendary in-game weapon, the Trevonator, after him.

In 2011, following the death of Borderlands fan Michael Mamaril at age 22, his friend Carlos reached out to Gearbox with a special request. He asked if the developers could include a tribute from Claptrap, Mamaril’s favorite character, in Borderlands 2.

In response, Gearbox went above and beyond. They created a friendly NPC named after Mamaril, who appears randomly in Sanctuary and gifts fellow Vault Hunters high-quality items. Receiving a gift from this NPC also unlocks the "Tribute to a Vault Hunter" achievement.

While the release of Borderlands 4 may still be some time away, McAlpine and the wider Vault Hunter community can take comfort in Gearbox’s promise to spare no effort in creating an unforgettable experience. As Pitchford stated in a press release after the game’s announcement, "Everyone at Gearbox has huge ambitions for Borderlands 4. We’re pouring everything we have into elevating the core Borderlands experience while taking the game in exciting new directions."

What these new directions will entail remains to be seen, and fans will have to wait for more details. In the meantime, players can wishlist Borderlands 4 on Steam and stay updated on the latest release information by referring to our article below.