A Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish: An Early Look at Borderlands 4
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to fulfill the heartfelt wish of Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands fan battling terminal cancer. McAlpine's request, shared on Reddit, was simple yet deeply moving: to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 before his passing.
Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, McAlpine expressed his fervent love for the Borderlands franchise and his desire to play the anticipated 2025 release. His plea resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a promise to explore every avenue to make McAlpine's dream a reality. Pitchford confirmed subsequent email communication to coordinate efforts.
Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is currently slated for a 2025 release. However, McAlpine's prognosis, as detailed on his GoFundMe page, leaves little time. Doctors estimate he has only 7 to 12 months to live, possibly extending to two years with successful chemotherapy.
Despite his prognosis, McAlpine maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered over $6,210 in donations.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This isn't the first time Gearbox has demonstrated compassion for its community. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, another fan battling cancer. Sadly, Eastman passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the in-game legendary weapon, the Trevonator, named in his honor. Furthermore, a tribute to Michael Mamaril, a fan who passed away in 2011, was included in Borderlands 2, featuring a friendly NPC named after him in Sanctuary.
While Borderlands 4's release remains some time away, McAlpine and other fans can find comfort in Gearbox's commitment to creating a truly cherished experience. Pitchford's statement following the game's announcement emphasized Gearbox's ambitious goals for Borderlands 4, promising to elevate the series to new heights. Further details are eagerly awaited. In the meantime, fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists.
