Duke Nukem Forever Developer 3DRealms Shut Down
George Broussard and Duke Nukem's Eternal Delays
May 8, 2009
On May 7th, 2009 gaming news site Shacknews reported that 3DRealms had been forced out of business, citing a lack of funds. This news appears to conclude the ongoing Duke Nukem Forever development saga, which had become the butt of countless jokes online including a site dedicated to listing mankind's achievements during the game's 13 year development cycle.
However, Take Two Interactive was quick to issue a statement that their company retains the rights to publish the game, should it come out. This indicates that there is hope, however small, that another company might take over the game's development allowing gamers to finally scratch a 13 year long itch. There is precedent for such a move in the industry, as 2008's smash hit Fallout 3 was initially to be developed by Black Isle Studios before a 2003 cancellation lead to developer Bethesda buying the rights.
From Apogee to 3DRealms, A History of Duke Nukem
Originally published and developed in 1991 by Apogee Software, Duke Nukem was a side scrolling 2D action game. However, the character didn't achieve true popularity until the release of 1996's Duke Nukem 3D developed by 3DRealms.
Duke Nukem 3D took the series in a new direction, mimicking the successful Doom's first person perspective. However it was no mere "Doom clone", as the game introduced new weapons, online multiplayer, and most famously its own brand of crass humour.
George Broussard's Duke Nukem Delayed Forever?
Following the success of Duke Nukem 3D a sequel was announced in 1997. According to a 3DRealms press release from 1997 Duke Nukem Forever was initially to be released no later than mid-1998. However, a switch from the Quake II engine to the Unreal engine caused delays, and the developers now predicted a 1999 release date. The date changed to 2000, then to 2001, before finally reaching the infamous "when it's done" release date set by head developer George Broussard.
In 2001 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 3DRealms released a trailer demonstrating what appeared to be a nearly complete game. Gamers' hopes were once again high that they'd be playing it soon.
However, In 2002 Broussard posted on the 3DRealms message board that he estimated 95% of the level design work up to that point had been scrapped. The E3 trailer that had built anticipation so well was no longer representative of the product. The game, it seemed, was as far from being complete as it had been in 1997.
In both 2006 and 2008 the game was shown to members of the press in a playable form, raising expectations for an impending release announcment, however with the unfortunate news of 3DRealms' closure it is potentially one that will never come.
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