"Borderlands 4 Early Access: Fans Call it 'Amazing'"

Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine, who is courageously battling cancer, had the heartwarming opportunity to experience Borderlands 4 early, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the game's community and Gearbox. Dive into the inspiring tale of Caleb's unforgettable journey.

Gearbox Fulfilled a Fan’s Wish

Borderlands 4 Sneak Peek

Caleb McAlpine, an ardent Borderlands fan facing cancer, had his lifelong dream come true when he got to play the highly anticipated looter shooter, Borderlands 4. In a heartfelt Reddit post dated November 26, Caleb shared that he was flown to Gearbox’s studio, where he met the developers and got a hands-on experience with the game.

Caleb's enthusiasm for Borderlands 4 was palpable as he recounted his experience: "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing," he said. He also detailed the journey: "So Gearbox flew me and a friend down first class on the 20th of this month, 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, the CEO," he shared.

Following this incredible experience, Caleb stayed with his friend at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, near The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel staff, moved by Caleb's story, arranged a VIP tour of the facility, making his trip even more special.

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

Caleb’s Request to Gearbox

On October 24, 2024, Caleb reached out to the Borderlands community on Reddit, sharing his medical condition and his heartfelt wish. Diagnosed with cancer and given a prognosis of 7-12 months, with potential for less than two years even with chemotherapy, Caleb expressed his desire to play Borderlands 4 before his time ran out. "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, acknowledging it as a "long shot" wish.

The Borderlands community rallied around Caleb, spreading his request far and wide. Many reached out to Gearbox, advocating for Caleb to fulfill his wish. The response was swift and heartwarming.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox’s CEO, responded the same day via a Twitter (X) post linked to Caleb’s Reddit thread. "Caleb and I are now chatting via e-mail and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen," he stated. After about a month of communication, Gearbox made Caleb's dream a reality, allowing him early access to Borderlands 4 before its 2025 release.

Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Caleb in his ongoing battle with cancer. As of now, it has raised $12,415 USD, surpassing the initial $9,000 goal. The news of Caleb's early access to Borderlands 4 has continued to draw support from around the world.