Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, who is courageously battling cancer, recently had a dream come true thanks to the supportive gaming community and the team at Gearbox. Dive into the heartwarming details of Caleb's unforgettable experience with Borderlands 4.
Gearbox Fulfilled a Fan's Wish
Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek
Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands enthusiast facing cancer, was granted his lifelong wish to experience the highly anticipated looter shooter, Borderlands 4. On November 26, Caleb shared his journey on Reddit, recounting how Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio on the 20th of that month. There, they toured the facility and met a host of incredible people, including developers of all the Borderlands games and Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford.
After diving into the early version of Borderlands 4, Caleb expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing." Following this extraordinary experience, Caleb and his friend stayed at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, near The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel, touched by Caleb's story, arranged a VIP tour of their facilities for him.
While Caleb kept the specifics of Borderlands 4 under wraps, he described the entire event as "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported his request and showed compassion during his challenging time.
Caleb's Request to Gearbox
In a poignant post on October 24, 2024, Caleb shared his medical situation on Reddit, revealing that he had been given a prognosis of 7-12 months, with less than two years even if chemotherapy managed to slow the progression of his cancer. Driven by his passion for gaming, Caleb expressed a deep desire to play Borderlands 4 before his time ran out. "Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?" he asked, acknowledging it as a "long shot" wish.
The Borderlands community rallied around Caleb, with many reaching out to Gearbox on his behalf. The overwhelming support led to a swift response from Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who posted on Twitter(X) the same day, stating, "Caleb and I are now chatting via e-mail and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." After approximately a month of correspondence, Gearbox made Caleb's wish a reality, allowing him early access to Borderlands 4 before its official release in 2025.
In addition to his gaming dream coming true, Caleb's ongoing battle with cancer has inspired a GoFundMe campaign that has raised $12,415 USD, surpassing the initial $9,000 goal. The news of his experience with Borderlands 4 continues to garner support and donations, reflecting the community's admiration and solidarity with Caleb.
