Borderlands 4 Early Access: Fans Rave

Borderlands enthusiast Caleb McAlpine, facing cancer, experienced Borderlands 4 thanks to the gaming community and Gearbox. Read on to learn more about his uplifting experience.

Gearbox Granted a Fan’s WishBorderlands 4 Early Look

A shrewd Borderlands fan battling cancer, Caleb McAlpine, realized his lifelong dream of playing the forthcoming looter shooter game Borderlands 4. In his Reddit post on November 26, Caleb was flown to Gearbox’s studio, met the developers, and previewed this highly anticipated game.

Caleb recounted his Borderlands 4 experience. "We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far and it was amazing," he shared. He also gave a concise account of this unique event. "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 a fantastic group of people from some of the developers of all of the Borderlands games up to Randy, the CEO," he shared.

Following this exceptional experience, he stayed with his friend at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, which also houses The Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The hotel warmly welcomed Caleb. "They wanted to do something nice as well and got us in on a VIP tour of the entire facility," he shared.

While Caleb didn't disclose any details about Borderlands 4, he considered this event "an amazing experience and it was just awesome." Furthermore, he thanked those who supported his request and showed compassion for his condition.

Caleb’s Request to Gearbox

Using the same platform, Caleb previously posted his plea for assistance from Borderlands fans on October 24, 2024. He briefly described his medical situation and stated, "I was given 7-12mo and IF chemo works to slow the progression of the cancer I still have less than 2 years."

Therefore, Caleb hoped to experience Borderlands 4 before his passing. "Is there anyone that knows how to contact Gearbox to see if there is a way to play the game early?" he inquired. Though he termed this request a "long shot," Caleb’s appeal resonated with the Borderlands community on Reddit and elsewhere.

Many empathized with his situation, hoping for his recovery and the fulfillment of his earnest wish. His request spread rapidly as numerous individuals contacted Gearbox to urge the developer to grant his desire.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox’s CEO, responded that day via a Twitter(X) post linked to Caleb’s Reddit post. "Caleb and I are now communicating via e-mail and we’re going to do everything we can to make something happen," he announced. After approximately a month of communication, Gearbox finally fulfilled Caleb’s request and allowed him early access to the game before its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign also supports Caleb's cancer battle. He has currently raised $12,415 USD, exceeding his $9K goal. More individuals are contributing as news of his Borderlands 4 gameplay spreads online.