A Terminally Ill Gamer's Wish: An Early Look at Borderlands 4
Randy Pitchford, the mastermind behind Borderlands and CEO of Gearbox, has pledged his full support to fulfill the heartfelt request of Caleb McAlpine, a terminally ill Borderlands enthusiast. Caleb, battling stage 4 cancer, expressed his ardent wish to experience the upcoming Borderlands 4 before his passing.
This 37-year-old superfan's plea resonated deeply within the gaming community and reached Pitchford himself. On X (formerly Twitter), Pitchford responded with a commitment to make Caleb's dream a reality, assuring him that Gearbox would "do whatever we can to make something happen." Subsequent communications between Pitchford and McAlpine have confirmed ongoing efforts to grant this wish.
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 unfortunately limits his time. His GoFundMe page, aiming to cover medical expenses, reveals a projected lifespan of 7 to 12 months, emphasizing the urgency of his request.
Despite his health battle, Caleb maintains a positive outlook, drawing strength from his faith. His GoFundMe campaign has already garnered considerable support, nearing its fundraising goal.
This act of compassion echoes Gearbox's past gestures. In 2019, they provided an early copy of Borderlands 3 to Trevor Eastman, another battling cancer, fulfilling a similar wish. Sadly, Trevor passed away later that year, but his memory lives on through the in-game legendary weapon, the Trevonator. Furthermore, Gearbox honored the memory of Michael Mamaril, a deceased fan, by creating an NPC in Borderlands 2 bearing his name.
While Borderlands 4's official release remains months away, Gearbox's dedication to fulfilling Caleb's wish highlights their commitment to the community and their unwavering compassion. As Pitchford stated, Gearbox is striving to surpass expectations, promising "everything we love about Borderlands… better than ever before." The specifics remain under wraps, but the anticipation is palpable. In the meantime, fans can add Borderlands 4 to their Steam wishlists and stay updated on the latest news.
