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

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

Gearbox CEO Steps Up to Help Dying Fan

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old battling stage 4 cancer, expressed his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his passing via a Reddit post. His plea resonated deeply with the gaming community and ultimately reached Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Pitchford responded on X (formerly Twitter), pledging to "do whatever we can to make something happen." He later confirmed personal communication with McAlpine.

Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, McAlpine's limited time necessitates immediate action. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to cover medical expenses, has received significant support.

McAlpine, despite his prognosis, maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe page has raised over $6,000 towards his $9,000 goal.

Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans

This act of kindness reflects Gearbox's history of supporting its community. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to another terminally ill fan, Trevor Eastman. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the "Trevonator" legendary weapon named in his honor.

Furthermore, in 2011, they honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 named after him. This NPC rewards players, creating a lasting tribute.

While Borderlands 4's official release is still some time away, Gearbox's commitment to fulfilling McAlpine's wish underscores their dedication to their fans. Pitchford's statement emphasizes Gearbox's ambition to elevate the Borderlands experience in the upcoming installment.

Further details about Borderlands 4 remain forthcoming. In the meantime, fans can add the game to their Steam wishlist to stay updated.