Borderlands Creator and Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to fulfill the heartfelt request of terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, who wishes to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 before its scheduled 2025 release.

Terminally Ill Borderlands Fan Wishes to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford Promises They’ll Do “Whatever They Can to Make Something Happen”

Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old devoted fan of the Borderlands series, is currently battling stage 4 cancer. Diagnosed in August, he took to Reddit to share his deep love for the game and his poignant wish to play Borderlands 4, which was unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024 with a tentative release window set for 2025.

"So I am a diehard Borderlands fan and don’t know if I will be around for Borderlands 4," McAlpine expressed. "Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?"

His earnest appeal caught the attention of Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded via Twitter (X) with a commitment to help make Caleb's dream come true. Pitchford thanked the community for their support and assured Caleb that Gearbox would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Since then, Pitchford has been in direct communication with McAlpine via email.

Given McAlpine's prognosis, time is of the essence. His GoFundMe page reveals that doctors estimate he has between 7 to 12 months left, with a maximum of two years even with successful chemotherapy. Despite the challenges, McAlpine remains hopeful, drawing strength from his faith and the character Job from the Bible.

As of now, his GoFundMe campaign has raised $6,210 from 128 donations, nearing his goal of $9,000. These funds are crucial for covering his medical expenses and other essential costs during his battle with cancer.

Gearbox’s History of Granting Fan Wishes in Borderlands

Gearbox has a compassionate history of fulfilling the wishes of ailing fans. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, a 27-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Eastman expressed gratitude for the support, noting that Gearbox was flying someone out to deliver the game to him. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, and Gearbox honored him by naming a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, after him.

In another touching tribute, following the death of 22-year-old fan Michael Mamaril in 2011, Gearbox included an NPC named after him in Borderlands 2. This NPC, found in Sanctuary, rewards players with high-quality items, and receiving one of these items grants the "Tribute to A Vault Hunter" achievement.

While Borderlands 4's exact release date remains uncertain, Gearbox's dedication to their fans is clear. As CEO Randy Pitchford stated in a press release, "All of us at Gearbox have massive ambitions for Borderlands 4 and are putting everything we have into making everything we love about Borderlands better than ever before while taking the game to new levels in exciting new directions."

Eager fans, including McAlpine, can keep an eye on further developments by adding Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlist and staying updated through relevant articles.