Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford fulfills the wish of a terminally ill Borderlands fan, Caleb McAlpine, to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 early.
Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish to Play Borderlands 4 Early Granted
Gearbox CEO Pledges Support for Dying Fan
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 to experience the anticipated 2025 release.
McAlpine's emotional plea resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a promise to assist. Pitchford thanked those who brought the request to his attention and assured Caleb that they would explore every avenue to make his wish a reality. Subsequent communication, Pitchford confirmed, has occurred via email.
Borderlands 4, revealed at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeline doesn't account for McAlpine's limited time. His GoFundMe page reveals a stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with doctors estimating a life expectancy of 7 to 12 months, potentially 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 harder than others, and there are times I want to give up. But I think about Job in the Bible, and how he persevered despite hardship. That’s my strength – faith that God will guide the doctors to heal me."
His GoFundMe campaign has raised $6,210 from 128 donors, nearing its $9,000 goal to cover medical expenses and essential needs.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This act of compassion isn't unprecedented for Gearbox. In May 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, a 27-year-old battling esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer. Eastman, sadly, passed away in October 2019, but his memory lives on through the "Trevonator," a legendary weapon named in his honor.
Further demonstrating their commitment to fans, Gearbox created an NPC named after Michael Mamaril, a Borderlands fan who passed away at 22 in 2011. This tribute NPC in Borderlands 2 rewards players with high-quality items, granting the "Tribute to A Vault Hunter" achievement.
While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, Gearbox's commitment to McAlpine and its history of honoring fan requests offers hope. As Pitchford stated in a Business Wire press release following the game's announcement, "Gearbox is dedicated to making Borderlands 4 better than ever, taking the game to new heights." Further details await, but players can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists to stay updated.
