"Borderlands 4 Early Access Amazes Fans"

Borderlands Fan's Inspiring Journey to Play Borderlands 4 Early

Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan currently battling cancer, had his wish to play Borderlands 4 granted through the generosity of the game's community and Gearbox. His story is a testament to the power of community support and the joy that gaming can bring even in the toughest of times.

Gearbox Fulfills a Fan’s Wish

Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek

Caleb, an avid fan of the Borderlands series, got the chance to experience the highly anticipated looter shooter, Borderlands 4, before its official release. In a heartfelt Reddit post dated November 26, Caleb shared that Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio on the 20th of the month. There, he not only got to play Borderlands 4 but also toured the studio and met an incredible team, including some of the developers from the entire Borderlands franchise and the CEO, Randy Pitchford.

Describing his experience, Caleb said, "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing." After the studio visit, Caleb and his friend stayed at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, near The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel, recognizing Caleb's situation, treated them to a VIP tour of the facility, adding to the memorable experience.

While Caleb kept the details of Borderlands 4 under wraps, he emphasized the overall experience as "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and showed him love and support during his challenging time.

Caleb’s Request to Gearbox

Caleb's journey began with a poignant request on Reddit on October 24, 2024. Facing a prognosis of 7-12 months, with chemotherapy potentially extending his life to less than two years, Caleb expressed his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his time ran out. He asked, "Is there anyone that knows how to get in touch with gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?" Recognizing it as a "long shot," Caleb's plea resonated deeply with the Borderlands community.

The response was overwhelming. Many fans rallied around Caleb, spreading his request and contacting Gearbox to help make his wish come true. Gearbox's CEO, Randy Pitchford, responded swiftly on the same day via a Twitter(X) post linked to Caleb's Reddit thread, 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 made Caleb's dream a reality by granting him early access to Borderlands 4 before its 2025 release.

In addition to his gaming wish, Caleb has been supported through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at aiding his ongoing battle with cancer. To date, the campaign has raised $12,415 USD, surpassing the initial $9,000 goal. The news of Caleb's early access to Borderlands 4 has further inspired the community to contribute to his cause.