A heartwarming story unfolds as cancer patient Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands fan, receives an unforgettable early access experience to Borderlands 4, thanks to the generosity of the gaming community and Gearbox Software. Read on to discover this inspiring tale.
Gearbox Grants a Fan's Wish
An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Preview
Caleb McAlpine, a passionate Borderlands player facing a cancer diagnosis, saw his dream fulfilled when Gearbox invited him to their studio. In a November 26th Reddit post, Caleb recounted his incredible journey: a first-class flight, a studio tour, meetings with developers, and, most importantly, early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4.
"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far, and it was amazing," Caleb shared, adding details about his trip: "Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class...we got to tour the studio and meet an amazing bunch of people, from some of the devs of all the Borderlands games up to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."
The experience extended beyond Gearbox; the Omni Frisco Hotel, near the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, also provided a VIP tour, adding another layer of generosity to Caleb's incredible journey.
While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he emphasized the overall impact: "It was an amazing experience, and it was just awesome." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered their kindness during this difficult time.
Caleb's Plea to Gearbox
Caleb's journey began on October 24th, 2024, with a heartfelt Reddit post detailing his medical prognosis ("I was given 7-12 months, and even if chemo works, I still have less than 2 years") and his wish to experience Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He humbly asked, "Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?"
This "long shot" resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. An outpouring of support followed, with many reaching out to Gearbox on Caleb's behalf.
Randy Pitchford, Gearbox CEO, responded swiftly via Twitter(X), directly addressing Caleb's post: "Caleb and I are now chatting via email and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." A month later, Gearbox made Caleb's wish a reality.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Caleb in his cancer battle, exceeding its initial goal of $9,000 and currently standing at $12,415 USD. The story of his Borderlands 4 experience has further amplified support for his cause.
