Coronary heart-warming: The tight-knit group 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 recognized with stage 4 most cancers again in August. Medical doctors 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 present set for launch in 2025, McAlpine was understandably frightened he may not be round to expertise the extremely anticipated title. His Reddit put up was a heartfelt lengthy shot, asking if anybody might assist him get in contact with Gearbox to see if he might have an early probability to play the sport.
“So I’m a die arduous borderlands fan and do not know if I shall be round for Borderlands 4. Is there anybody that is aware of how you can get in contact with Gearbox to see if there’s a solution 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 are actually chatting through e-mail and we will do no matter we are able to to make one thing occur.
– Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) October 24, 2024
The Borderlands group confirmed up in full drive. McAlpine’s put up has garnered over 16,000 upvotes as of this writing and was pinned to the highest of the subreddit. It rapidly caught the eye of Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who responded that he is now in direct contact with McAlpine and that they’re going to “do no matter we are able to to make one thing occur.”
This is not the primary time the Borderlands fanbase and builders have united to satisfy a terminally unwell fan’s want. Again in 2019, one other stage 4 most cancers affected person named Trevor Eastman was in a position to 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 group usually will get a nasty rap for toxicity, however these tales are a reminder of the sturdy bonds that type over a shared love of video games.
McAlpine has additionally launched a GoFundMe to assist cowl prices, which, eventually test, had raised over $7,500 towards its $9,000 objective.