A Borderlands Fan's Dream Comes True: Early Access to Borderlands 4
Caleb McAlpine, a dedicated Borderlands fan battling cancer, recently experienced a dream come true: early access to the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. Thanks to the passionate Borderlands community and the generosity of Gearbox Software, Caleb's wish was granted.
A Memorable Experience
On November 26th, Caleb shared his incredible experience on Reddit. Gearbox flew him and a friend first-class to their studio, where they toured the facilities and met the developers, including CEO Randy Pitchford. Caleb described playing Borderlands 4 as "amazing." The trip extended beyond the studio; the Omni Frisco Hotel, where they stayed, even arranged a VIP tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters.
While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific details of the game, the overall experience was overwhelmingly positive. He expressed immense gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered their encouragement.
A Community Rallies Behind a Fan
Caleb's journey began on October 24th, 2024, with a heartfelt Reddit post. He shared his diagnosis, explaining his limited time and expressing his wish to play Borderlands 4 before it was too late. This seemingly long-shot request ignited a wave of support from the Borderlands community.
The community rallied, contacting Gearbox to advocate for Caleb. Randy Pitchford responded swiftly on Twitter(X), initiating contact with Caleb and promising to make his wish a reality. Within a month, Gearbox fulfilled their promise, granting him early access to the game.
A GoFundMe campaign established to assist Caleb with his medical expenses has also seen a surge in donations, exceeding $12,415 USD. The outpouring of support highlights the power of community and the impact of a shared passion for gaming. The story of Caleb's experience underscores the positive impact of community and the heartwarming response from Gearbox.
