Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has pledged to grant terminally ill Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4.
Caleb McAlpine, a 37-year-old Borderlands enthusiast battling terminal cancer, publicly expressed his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in August, Caleb shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit, hoping to connect with Gearbox.
"I'm a huge Borderlands fan and unsure if I'll live to see Borderlands 4," Caleb wrote. "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox about possibly playing early?"
His plea resonated deeply, reaching Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded on X (formerly Twitter) with a promise to explore all options to fulfill Caleb's wish. Pitchford stated they would "do everything possible to make this happen" and confirmed subsequent email communication with McAlpine.
Borderlands 4, unveiled at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024, is slated for a 2025 release. However, this timeframe presents a significant challenge for Caleb, whose prognosis, according to his GoFundMe page, is 7-12 months, potentially extending to two years with successful treatment.
Despite his prognosis, Caleb maintains a positive outlook. In a September GoFundMe update, he stated, "Some days are harder than others, but I hold onto my faith." His GoFundMe campaign, aiming to raise $9,000 for medical expenses, has already garnered over $6,210 in donations.
This isn't Gearbox's first act of kindness toward ill fans. In 2019, Trevor Eastman, battling cancer, received an early copy of Borderlands 3. Sadly, Trevor passed away later that year, but Gearbox immortalized him by naming a legendary weapon, the Trevonator, in his honor.
Another instance involved Michael Mamaril, who passed away in 2011. His friend's request for a Claptrap tribute in Borderlands 2 resulted in an NPC named after Michael, rewarding players with valuable items and a commemorative achievement.
Gearbox's commitment to its community is evident. While Borderlands 4's release date remains distant, the company's dedication to making the game a cherished experience is unwavering. As Pitchford emphasized in a Business Wire press release, Gearbox aims to "make everything we love about Borderlands better than ever before."
Further details about Borderlands 4's features await, but fans can add it to their Steam wishlists and stay updated on release information.
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