A heartwarming story unfolds: Caleb McAlpine, a Borderlands fan battling cancer, experienced the magic of Borderlands 4 early thanks to the incredible support of the gaming community and Gearbox Software. Read on to discover his inspiring journey.

Gearbox Makes a Fan's Dream Reality

A Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands player facing a cancer diagnosis, recently had his wish fulfilled: he played the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. In a November 26th Reddit post, Caleb shared his incredible experience of being flown to Gearbox's studio, meeting the developers, and getting a sneak peek at the game.

"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far, and it was amazing," Caleb enthused. He detailed the trip: "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 unforgettable experience, Caleb and his friend enjoyed the hospitality of the Omni Frisco Hotel, even receiving a VIP tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters located at The Star.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he described the entire event as "an amazing and awesome experience," expressing deep gratitude to everyone who helped make it possible.

Caleb's Plea to Gearbox

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially reached out to the Borderlands community via Reddit. He shared his diagnosis, explaining, "I was given 7-12 months, and even if chemo slows the cancer, I have less than two years." His heartfelt wish: to play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He asked, "Is there anyone who knows how to contact Gearbox to see if playing the game early is possible?"

This "long shot" plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. An outpouring of support followed, with many contacting Gearbox to advocate for Caleb.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly on Twitter (X), directly referencing Caleb's Reddit post: "Caleb and I are now chatting via email, and we're going to do whatever we can to make something happen." After a month of communication, Gearbox granted Caleb's wish.

A GoFundMe campaign supports Caleb's ongoing cancer treatment. The campaign has already surpassed $12,415 USD, exceeding its initial goal. The news of Caleb's Borderlands 4 experience has further amplified support for his cause.