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

Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands fan facing a cancer battle, recently lived out a dream: playing the upcoming Borderlands 4, thanks to the game's community and Gearbox Software. His inspiring story highlights the power of online community support.

Gearbox Makes a Fan's Dream Come True

A Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine, a passionate Borderlands player battling cancer, received an incredible gift: early access to Borderlands 4. In a heartwarming Reddit post on November 26th, he recounted his journey. Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio, where they toured the facilities, met developers, and played the highly anticipated game.

Caleb described his Borderlands 4 experience as "amazing," detailing his visit: "Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class on the 20th, we toured the studio, and met an incredible team, from Borderlands developers to Randy Pitchford, the CEO."

Following this extraordinary experience, Caleb and his friend enjoyed a VIP tour of the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, home to the Dallas Cowboys headquarters. The hotel's generous hospitality added to the already unforgettable trip.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about Borderlands 4's specifics, he emphasized the "amazing" and "awesome" nature of the entire event. He expressed profound gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered kindness during his health challenges.

Caleb's Plea to Gearbox

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially posted on Reddit, appealing to the Borderlands community for help. He shared his diagnosis, stating, "I was given 7-12 months, and even if chemo slows it, I have less than two years." His heartfelt wish was to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. He asked, "Is there anyone who can help me contact Gearbox to see if I could play the game early?"

This "long shot" request resonated deeply with the Borderlands community. Many rallied to his cause, contacting Gearbox to advocate for Caleb's wish.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, responded swiftly on 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 Caleb's wish.

A GoFundMe campaign supports Caleb's fight against cancer. The campaign has already surpassed $12,415 USD, exceeding its initial goal, demonstrating the widespread support for Caleb's cause.