A Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish: An Early Look at Borderlands 4
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged his full support to fulfill the heartfelt wish of Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling terminal cancer. Caleb's request, shared via Reddit, was simple yet profound: to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 before his passing.
Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb expressed his deep love for the series and his desire to partake in the anticipated 2025 release. His plea resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on Twitter (X) with a commitment to make Caleb's dream a reality. Pitchford affirmed that they are actively working on a solution and are in direct communication with Caleb.
Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release, leaving a considerable wait for most players. However, Caleb's time is unfortunately limited. His GoFundMe page details his stage 4 colon and liver cancer diagnosis, with doctors estimating a life expectancy of 7-12 months, possibly extending to two years with successful treatment.
Despite his prognosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook. His GoFundMe page, which has already raised over $6,000, aims to cover medical expenses and other essential needs. The funds will aid him in his courageous battle against cancer.
Gearbox's History of Supporting Fans
This isn't the first instance of Gearbox demonstrating compassion for its fans facing adversity. In 2019, they granted a similar wish to Trevor Eastman, another Borderlands fan battling cancer, providing him with an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Trevor passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the in-game legendary weapon, the Trevonator, named in his honor. Furthermore, in 2011, they created an NPC in Borderlands 2 as a tribute to a deceased fan, Michael Mamaril.
While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, Gearbox's commitment to fulfilling Caleb's wish underscores their dedication to their community. As Pitchford emphasized in a Business Wire press release, the team is striving to elevate the Borderlands experience in exciting new ways. Further details regarding these enhancements are eagerly anticipated. In the meantime, fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists and stay updated on the game's release.
