A heartfelt story has emerged from the gaming community, showcasing the compassion and support that can arise during difficult times. A devoted fan of Borderlands received a special opportunity to visit the game's developer, Gearbox, allowing him to experience Borderlands 4 ahead of its official release.
In October, a 37-year-old named Caleb McAlpine shared his diagnosis of late-stage terminal cancer on the Borderlands 3 subreddit, revealing that doctors had given him only seven to twelve months to live. Expressing his passion for the game series, he reached out to the community with a hopeful request.
After his post gained significant attention with over 19,000 upvotes, Gearbox's chief, Randy Pitchford, assured everyone that the studio would make every effort to accommodate McAlpine’s wish. Just recently, this promise was fulfilled, as McAlpine visited Gearbox's headquarters in Texas to enjoy an early playthrough of Borderlands 4.
Pitchford expressed his enthusiasm for the encounter on social media, describing McAlpine as an enthusiastic gamer well-versed in all things Borderlands. He conveyed his hopes that McAlpine would be able to witness the game's completion. Gearbox also shared its gratitude towards the Borderlands community for rallying behind McAlpine during this challenging period, noting that his resilience has inspired the team.
Upon his return, McAlpine took to the subreddit to share his experience. He detailed how Gearbox arranged for him and a companion to travel first class for his visit on the 20th of the month. During the trip, they toured the studio and encountered different individuals from the development team, culminating in a play session for the highly anticipated Borderlands 4.
McAlpine expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported him and enabled this extraordinary experience. He noted staying at a hotel associated with the Dallas Cowboys, which graciously arranged a VIP tour of their facilities—a moment that brought excitement to a Lions fan like him.
Enthusiasts can anticipate the launch of Borderlands 4, which is scheduled for 2025.