Borderlands 4 Early Access Was \"Amazing\" According to Fan

Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands fan facing a cancer diagnosis, recently lived out a dream: playing the upcoming Borderlands 4. Thanks to the outpouring support of the gaming community and Gearbox, his wish came true. Read on to discover this inspiring story.

Gearbox Grants a Fan's Wish

A Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine's battle with cancer didn't stop him from experiencing the thrill of playing Borderlands 4 early. On November 26th, he recounted his incredible journey on Reddit. Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio, where they toured the facilities, met the developers – including CEO Randy Pitchford – and got a hands-on preview of the highly anticipated game.

Caleb described his Borderlands 4 experience as "amazing," detailing 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 himself!" Following this extraordinary experience, they enjoyed a VIP tour of the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, home to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters.

While remaining tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, Caleb emphasized the "amazing" and "awesome" nature of the entire event. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who helped make his wish a reality, offering support during his challenging health journey.

Caleb's Plea to Gearbox

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit. He openly discussed his prognosis (7-12 months, possibly less than two years even with successful chemo) and his desire to play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He admitted it was a "long shot," but his plea resonated deeply.

The Borderlands community responded with overwhelming support, sharing his post widely and contacting Gearbox directly.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, swiftly responded via Twitter (X), stating, "Caleb and I are now chatting via email, and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen." A month later, Gearbox fulfilled his dream, granting him early access to the game ahead of its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb's fight against cancer. The campaign has already surpassed $12,415, exceeding its initial goal, a testament to the widespread support inspired by his story and his early Borderlands 4 experience.