Terminally Ill Fan Played Borderlands 4 Before Its Official Release Thanks to Gearbox Software

The story of Caleb McAlpine, a devoted Borderlands fan, has touched the hearts of thousands worldwide. The young gamer, battling stage-four cancer, shared on Reddit that he might not live to see the release of the fourth installment of his favorite game series.

His post caught the attention of Gearbox Software, and one of the company’s co-founders reached out to him. Caleb was invited to the studio’s office, where he had the chance to play an early build of Borderlands 4.

After this incredible experience, Caleb expressed his gratitude:

“We got to play Borderlands 4, and it was amazing. I don’t know if I’ll still be alive when the game comes out, but I just want to say thank you to all of you for your love and support and for making this happen. It truly was an incredible experience.”

Photos from the event show Caleb enjoying his time at the Gearbox office, surrounded by the developers’ kindness and support.

Borderlands 4 is scheduled for release in 2025 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. The studio has previously shared concept art for the upcoming game, which has already sparked excitement among fans of the series.

This story is a reminder that the gaming community is about more than entertainment—it’s also a force for compassion and support during life’s most challenging moments.