A Borderlands Fan's Dream Comes True: Early Access to Borderlands 4

Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan battling cancer, recently received an incredible gift: early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. This heartwarming story highlights the power of community and the generosity of Gearbox Software.

Gearbox's Act of Kindness

A Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb's wish to play Borderlands 4 before his passing was shared on Reddit on November 26th. His post detailed how Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio, where they toured the facilities, met developers, and most importantly, experienced a preview of Borderlands 4.

Caleb's enthusiastic response: "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing." His account included a meeting with Randy Pitchford, Gearbox CEO, and a VIP tour of the Omni Frisco Hotel, a truly unforgettable experience.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific details of the game, he emphasized the overall impact: "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He expressed profound gratitude to everyone who supported his request.

Caleb's Plea and the Community's Response

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially posted on Reddit, sharing his diagnosis (a 7-12 month prognosis, potentially extending to under two years with successful chemo) and his heartfelt wish to play Borderlands 4. He acknowledged the long shot nature of his request, asking for help contacting Gearbox.

The Borderlands community rallied around Caleb, spreading his story and contacting Gearbox to advocate for his wish. Randy Pitchford responded swiftly on Twitter(X), initiating contact and promising to explore options.

Within a month, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's wish, granting him early access to the game ahead of its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb's fight against cancer, exceeding its initial goal of $9,000, currently standing at $12,415 USD. The outpouring of support has grown significantly since news of his Borderlands 4 experience spread.