Coronary heart-warming: The tight-knit neighborhood round Gearbox Software program’s Borderlands collection is as soon as once more exhibiting its coronary heart of gold. A fan with terminal most cancers has reached out, expressing a want to play the upcoming Borderlands 4 earlier than time runs out – and the builders are stepping in to make it occur.
The story started when Caleb McAlpine, a self-described “diehard Borderlands fan,” posted on the Borderlands 3 subreddit earlier this week. McAlpine shared that he was identified with stage 4 most cancers again in August. Docs estimate he has between seven to 12 months left within the worst case, or as much as two years with chemotherapy.
With Borderlands 4 at the moment set for launch in 2025, McAlpine was understandably apprehensive he won’t be round to expertise the extremely anticipated title. His Reddit publish was a heartfelt lengthy shot, asking if anybody may assist him get in contact with Gearbox to see if he may have an early probability to play the sport.
“So I’m a die exhausting borderlands fan and do not know if I can be round for Borderlands 4. Is there anybody that is aware of the best way to get in contact with Gearbox to see if there’s a approach to play the sport early? Lengthy shot however thought I’d attempt,” he wrote.
Thanks everybody who reached out to level me to this: https://t.co/g2eisJvH7F
Caleb and I at the moment are chatting by way of e-mail and we will do no matter we will to make one thing occur.
– Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) October 24, 2024
The Borderlands neighborhood confirmed up in full pressure. McAlpine’s publish has garnered over 16,000 upvotes as of this writing and was pinned to the highest of the subreddit. It shortly caught the eye of Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded that he is now in direct contact with McAlpine and that they will “do no matter we will to make one thing occur.”
This is not the primary time the Borderlands fanbase and builders have united to satisfy a terminally sick fan’s want. Again in 2019, one other stage 4 most cancers affected person named Trevor Eastman was capable of go hands-on with Borderlands 3 earlier than its launch. Sadly, Eastman handed away later that 12 months, prompting Gearbox to immortalize him within the recreation with the legendary “Trevonator” weapon.
The collection additionally paid tribute to a late fan, Michael Mamaril, in Borderlands 2 in 2011, after a buddy reached out asking for an in-game eulogy by Mamaril’s favourite character, Claptrap. Not solely did Gearbox report particular dialogue that broke the fourth wall, however in addition they named an NPC after him.
The gaming neighborhood typically will get a nasty rap for toxicity, however these tales are a reminder of the robust bonds that type over a shared love of video games.
McAlpine has additionally launched a GoFundMe to assist cowl prices, which, ultimately test, had raised over $7,500 towards its $9,000 objective.
