"Borderlands 4 Early Access Amazes Fans"

In an inspiring turn of events, Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, who is courageously battling cancer, had his wish granted to play the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. With the support of the gaming community and Gearbox, Caleb's dream became a reality, and he shared his incredible experience with the world.

Gearbox Fulfilled a Fan’s Wish

Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek

Caleb McAlpine, an ardent Borderlands fan fighting cancer, was given the opportunity to experience the upcoming looter shooter game, Borderlands 4. In a heartfelt Reddit post dated November 26, Caleb detailed his journey to Gearbox's studio, where he not only met the developers but also got to play the game before its official release.

"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing," Caleb expressed. He shared how Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio on the 20th of the month. They toured the facility and met an incredible team, including some of the developers behind all the Borderlands games and Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox.

Following this unforgettable experience, Caleb and his friend stayed at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, near The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel, eager to contribute to Caleb's special trip, offered them a VIP tour of the entire facility.

While Caleb did not disclose specifics about Borderlands 4, he described the event as "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and showed love and support during his battle with cancer.

Caleb’s Request to Gearbox

On October 24, 2024, Caleb took to Reddit to share his medical condition and heartfelt wish to play Borderlands 4 early. Diagnosed with a prognosis of 7-12 months, and potentially less than two years even with successful chemotherapy, Caleb's desire to experience the game before his time ran out resonated deeply with the community.

"Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?" Caleb asked, acknowledging it as a "long shot" wish. His plea quickly spread across the Borderlands community on Reddit and beyond, with many sympathizing with his situation and rallying to help fulfill his dream.

Within the same day, Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox, responded to Caleb's post on Twitter(X), stating, "Caleb and I are now chatting via e-mail and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." After about a month of communication, Gearbox granted Caleb's wish, allowing him early access to Borderlands 4 before its 2025 release.

In addition to this heartwarming story, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support Caleb in his ongoing battle against cancer. To date, the campaign has raised $12,415 USD, surpassing the initial $9,000 goal. The news of Caleb playing Borderlands 4 has further boosted support for his cause.