Terminally Ill Fan Reviews and Applauds Borderlands 4

A profound fan of the Borderlands series, Caleb McAlpine, who is battling a terminal cancer diagnosis, got the opportunity to play Borderlands 4 before its official release. This rare chance was made possible through the efforts of Gearbox Entertainment’s president and CEO, Randy Pitchford, who arranged for Caleb and a friend to visit the company’s headquarters. There, not only did they play the game, but they also got to meet the development team. Reflecting on his experience, Caleb remarked that the game is “amazing.”

The buzz around Borderlands 4, an iconic first-person shooter series from Gearbox, is building up as fans eagerly await its planned 2025 release. Despite the lack of a concrete release date for the gaming community at large, many are anticipating its arrival with bated breath. Over the past 15 years, the Borderlands franchise has expanded with four major titles and several acclaimed spin-offs since its debut in 2009. Though Gearbox has been tight-lipped about the specifics, a teaser at this year’s Gamescom has sparked widespread speculation. Fans are keenly discussing potential returning characters and the game’s new villain, while one lucky fan, Caleb, has already had a taste of these closely guarded secrets.

In a heartwarming gesture by the Gearbox team, Caleb’s wish to experience Borderlands 4 was fulfilled after he reached out on Reddit, sharing his limited time due to a terminal illness. In a recent update, Caleb shared his joy and gratitude after being flown to Gearbox’s Frisco, Texas headquarters. Not only did Caleb get a sneak peek of the game, but he also mingled with the developers and expressed his appreciation in a touching message, “We got to play what they have for Borderlands 4 so far, and it was amazing. I don’t know if I will be around when the game comes out, but I just want to thank everyone for all your love and support in making this happen. It truly was an amazing experience.”

With November rolling in, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick hinted at a potential timeline for Borderlands 4’s release, strategically weighing its launch against the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, projected for Fall 2025. Taking into account GTA 6’s impact, many speculate that Borderlands 4 could land in late spring or early summer 2025, leaving some breathing room for both mega titles. Gearbox had previously announced an expected arrival for the eagerly awaited sequel sometime between April 2025 and March 2026.

The teaser trailer might have left fans wanting, but Gearbox keeps the excitement brewing by confirming the debut of four new Vault Hunters. Adding to the intrigue, Art Director Adam May hinted at a more vibrant palette for the game, promising advanced tech and a fresh ambiance that veers away from its predecessors. While many fans hold out hope for the return of Handsome Jack, Randy Pitchford has revealed that the new antagonist will be “something far more dangerous and sinister,” setting high expectations for the next chapter.