Borderlands 4 Early Access: Fans Rave

Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, battling cancer, recently lived out a dream: playing the upcoming Borderlands 4 thanks to the incredible support of the gaming community and Gearbox Software. His inspiring story highlights the power of community and the unwavering spirit of gamers.

Gearbox Makes a Fan's Dream Come True

An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek

Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan facing a cancer diagnosis, received an unforgettable gift: early access to Borderlands 4. In a heartwarming Reddit post on November 26th, he detailed his journey, recounting a trip to Gearbox's studio where he met developers and experienced the highly anticipated game firsthand.

"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far, and it was amazing," Caleb shared. His account continued, describing the trip: "Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class on the 20th, and we got to tour the studio and meet an amazing bunch of people, from some of the devs of all the Borderlands games up to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."

The generosity extended beyond the studio visit. Caleb and his friend enjoyed a VIP stay at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, even receiving a VIP tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. "They wanted to do something nice as well and got us in on a VIP tour of the entire facility," he added.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, his overall sentiment was clear: "It was an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered their kindness during this challenging time.

Caleb's Wish and the Power of Community

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit. He openly discussed his cancer diagnosis, explaining, "I was given 7-12 months, and IF chemo works to slow the progression, I still have less than 2 years." His simple request? To play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. "Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?" he asked.

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

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly via Twitter (X), directly addressing Caleb's post: "Caleb and I are now chatting via email and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." Within a month, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's wish, granting him early access to the game ahead of its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist Caleb in his fight against cancer. The campaign has already surpassed its initial goal, raising over $12,415 USD, a testament to the widespread support for Caleb and his story. As news of his Borderlands 4 experience spreads, even more people are contributing to his cause.