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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesGearbox CEO Randy Pitchford publicly responded after Borderlands fan Caleb McAlpine asked for a chance to play the then-unreleased Borderlands 4 early. Pitchford said he and McAlpine were communicating and would try to make something happen; the reporting does not establish whether McAlpine ultimately received early access. The game has since been released, on September 12, 2025.
What did Caleb McAlpine ask Gearbox?
In a post shared online before the game’s release, McAlpine asked whether anyone knew how to contact Gearbox about playing Borderlands 4 early. He described the request as a long shot and said he was unsure whether he would still be alive when the game launched. GamesRadar reported that the post had received over 13,000 upvotes at the time of its October 24, 2024 article. GamesRadar’s report described the request in the context of McAlpine’s disclosure of a terminal illness.
What did Randy Pitchford say?
Pitchford responded publicly on Twitter, saying: “Caleb and I are now chatting via e-mail, and we’re going to do whatever we can to make something happen.” GamesRadar reported that statement as confirmation that the two were in contact. It was an expression of intent to try to help, not confirmation of a specific arrangement or of early access being granted.
Did McAlpine get to play Borderlands 4 early?
The cited reporting establishes Pitchford’s response and their communication, but it does not establish whether McAlpine later played the game early or what, if anything, was arranged privately. Without a documented outcome, it would be inaccurate to say that Gearbox granted access or that McAlpine visited the studio.
#1 Best Overall
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.* Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
When did Borderlands 4 come out?
When McAlpine made his request, Borderlands 4 was still upcoming and was expected in 2025. 2K’s official newsroom lists the game’s release date as September 12, 2025. 2K’s Borderlands 4 newsroom page identifies the now-released game and its date.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Earlier Borderlands fan tributes
GamesRadar also noted earlier examples of the franchise recognizing fans. Its report says Trevor Eastman was able to play Borderlands 3 early before his death in 2019, and that Gearbox later created the Trevonator weapon in his honor. The report also cites a Borderlands 2 character tribute to Michael Mamaril. Those precedents provide context, but do not establish what happened in McAlpine’s case.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Includes all four add-on packs released to date (on disc), as well as fold-out gameworld map
- Intense combination of FPS and RPG gameplay with Borderlands' random gun generator provides endless weapon variety
- Tear through the relentless monsters of Pandora with a crew of up to 3 of your friends in multiple modes including split-screen co-op
- Get behind the wheel of and engage in intense vehicle-to-vehicle combat
- Online multiplayer support for up to 4 players
Rank #3
- BE A BADASS: Become an unstoppable force of battle, blasting through enemies with an all-new arsenal of outrageous weaponry. Move across the Borderlands like never before—double jumping, gliding, dodging, grappling, and more—dealing death from every direction. Explode each encounter with devastating Action Skills that unleash your Vault Hunter's unique abilities. Craft your perfect build with branching skill trees and a deep, rewarding loot chase full of wild weapons and powerful gear.
- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.* Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
- LESS BORDERS, MORE LANDS: Freely explore a vast and dangerous world rife with warring factions. Hop on your hover bike and ride through lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts full of fearsome enemies, dynamic events, and engaging quests with unforgettable characters. Unite the people of Kairos and ignite a revolution, tackling this adventure however you see fit in a seamless Borderlands experience.
- Hall Effect Thumbsticks and Triggers – Contact-free magnetic sensors in the thumbsticks and triggers provide a more fluid pro-level feel to help with precision and longevity
- Low Latency Wireless – Play wirelessly on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11 using the included Wireless USB Adapter
Rank #2
- DELUXE EDITION CONTENT — Includes the Borderlands 4 base game, Firehawk's Fury Weapon Skin, and Bounty Pack Bundle with four separate post-launch DLC packs: Bounty Pack 2, 3, 4, and 5.
- BOUNTY PACK BUNDLE — Explore four unique areas with new missions and a unique boss, plus four Vault Cards, new Vault Hunter cosmetics, four new vehicles with cosmetics, and new Legendary Gear.
- BE A BADASS — Blast through enemies with an arsenal of weapons, use dynamic movement abilities, and unleash your Vault Hunter's Action Skills in intense shooter combat.
- BUILD YOUR VAULT HUNTER — Customize your build with branching skill trees and pursue powerful gear as you take on enemies across Kairos.
- EXPLORE KAIROS — Ride your hover bike across lush fields, towering peaks, and deadly deserts, discovering warring factions, dynamic events, quests, and unforgettable characters.
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