Borderlands 4 Early Access Garners Praise from Delighted Fan Base

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 game's community and Gearbox Software. Learn more about this inspiring tale.

Gearbox Makes a Fan's Dream Reality

An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine, a passionate Borderlands player facing a cancer diagnosis, saw his wish to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 granted. In a November 26th Reddit post, he recounted his incredible journey: a first-class flight to Gearbox's studio, a meeting with developers, and a coveted preview of the highly anticipated game.

Caleb's description of his Borderlands 4 experience? "Amazing." He detailed the trip, sharing, "Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class on the 20th, and we toured the studio, meeting incredible people, from Borderlands developers to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."

Following this extraordinary experience, Caleb and his friend enjoyed a VIP tour of the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, home to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel, recognizing Caleb's situation, added to the memorable occasion.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he emphasized the "amazing" and "awesome" nature of the entire experience. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered their kindness.

Caleb's Plea to Gearbox

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit. He openly discussed his cancer diagnosis, stating, "I was given 7-12 months, and even if chemo slows it, I have less than two years." His earnest desire: to play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He asked, "Can anyone help me contact Gearbox to see if playing the game early is possible?"

Despite acknowledging the long odds, Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. An outpouring of support followed, with many reaching out to Gearbox to advocate for his wish.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly via Twitter(X), directly addressing Caleb's Reddit post: "Caleb and I are now emailing, and we'll do everything we can to make this happen." After a month of communication, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's wish, granting him early access to the game ahead of its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb in his cancer battle. The campaign has already surpassed $12,415 USD, exceeding its initial goal. The news of his Borderlands 4 experience has further amplified support for his cause.