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 gaming community and Gearbox Software. His inspiring story highlights the power of online support and the generosity of game developers.

Gearbox Makes a Fan's Dream Come True

An Exclusive Borderlands 4 Preview

Caleb McAlpine's wish to play Borderlands 4 before its release was granted in a truly remarkable way. On November 26th, he detailed his incredible experience on Reddit: a first-class flight to Gearbox's studio, a tour of the facilities, meetings with developers, and, most importantly, hands-on time with the highly anticipated game.

"We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far, and it was amazing," Caleb shared, adding that he and a friend were treated to a VIP experience, including a tour of the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters. The Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star even arranged a special VIP tour of their facilities.

While Caleb remained tight-lipped about specific Borderlands 4 details, he emphasized the overall experience: "It was an amazing experience, and it was just awesome." He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who supported his request and offered him encouragement during his health challenge.

Caleb's Plea and the Community's Response

On October 24th, 2024, Caleb initially shared his heartfelt wish on Reddit. He openly discussed his cancer diagnosis, stating his prognosis and expressing his desire to experience Borderlands 4 before it was too late. He humbly described his request as a "long shot," but the Borderlands community responded with overwhelming support.

The outpouring of sympathy and encouragement led to widespread efforts to contact Gearbox and make Caleb's wish a reality.

Randy Pitchford, Gearbox's CEO, swiftly responded to Caleb's post on Twitter (X), promising to explore options. Following a month of communication, Gearbox fulfilled Caleb's request, granting him early access to the game ahead of its 2025 release.

A GoFundMe campaign continues to support Caleb's fight against cancer. The campaign has already surpassed its initial goal, with donations exceeding $12,415 USD, a testament to the widespread support generated by Caleb's story.