3DRealms
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'Duke Nukem' franchise ownership finally settled
A dispute that left ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise in limbo has officially been settled. In a statement, Gearbox Software affirmed that it's the "full and rightful owner of the Duke Nukem franchise." Previous rights-holder and creator 3D Realms (aka Apogee Software) relinquished all claims, saying "to secure the future of Duke, 3D realms has agreed with Gearbox that a single home serves (it) best." That's a far cry from the rancor between the parties after Gearbox launched the lawsuit in 2014, however. Gearbox assumed it had bought the full franchise rights from 3D Realms, until 3D Realms announced that it was creating a new title called Duke Nukem Survivor.
'Duke Nukem' and 'Wolfenstein' gaming house 3D Realms is back
The early '90s were a simpler time: Mullets were acceptable, everyone was wearing Zubaz pants and rocking your dad's flannel didn't make you a hipster. In an effort to bring us back to the era when grunge ruled the earth, the folks at formerly-defunct 3D Realms has bundled 32 of its classic games into one package and is selling 'em DRM-free over at its website. What's in the collection of almost everything the company produced? A killaton of games (and a remastered soundtrack, apparently), that's what; including, but not limited to: Duke Nukem 3D, Commander Keen: Goodbye Galaxy, Wolfenstein 3D and Wacky Wheels. The anthology will set you back $40, but if you act within the next two days you can get it for half of that. There's a video after the break if you need a refresher course on who the company is, too. 3D Realms also promises that in the coming months it'll have much more to talk about including its in-development games. Come get some, indeed.
3DRealms drops lawsuit against Gearbox over Duke Nukem Forever royalties
There's been a lot of fallout from the Duke Nukem Forever launch in 2011, and not just from critics -- 3DRealms sued Gearbox earlier this year for allegedly skimping on royalties until it paid off a loan. All that's now water under the bridge, as 3DRealms has dismissed its lawsuit. The game developer's Scott Miller describes the suit as a "misunderstanding;" Gearbox is in the clear following an evidence review, he says. The dismissal may not patch things up with gamers, but it shows that industry disputes don't always have to reach a bitter conclusion. Read 3DRealms' full statement after the break.
DNF dev calls E3 'irrelevant,' kettle black
Please ignore the noise coming from the kitchen, dear readers. That's just a little pot called 3D Realms calling next month's kettle of a conference, the E3 Media and Business Summit, black. Scott Miller, the head honcho at the Texas-based dev, recently spoke out against the annual event in hilarious fashion, calling the gathering "irrelevant" while confirming that 3D Realms' perpetually-delayed Duke Nukem Forever would not be shown. Shocking!"In fact," he added. "I wasn't even aware it was coming up." On the one hand, we're left agape at the sheer irony of his words. On the other hand, however, this is coming from a company whose primary contribution to the industry is the poster child for inconsequential flotsam so – keeping that in mind – it seems reasonable that 3D Realms knows 'irrelevant' when it sees it.
Squint at a new Duke Nukem Forever screenshot
Oh that crazy Duke has popped up yet again, kicking ass and chewing bubblegum as only he can. At least, that's what we think he's doing. Truthfully, it's pretty hard to tell from the latest tiny screenshot to emerge from the ever-elusive Duke Nukem Forever, which has surfaced on 3D Realms' site as part of a plea for developers to join the company's cause.As for the Duke, looking at the screenshot we like to imagine that he's running to the grocery store, probably to pick up a pack of Stride. After all, the ridiculously long lasting flavor will serve our hero well while he, like the rest of us, continues to wait.
First Prey 2 details and concept art revealed
It's been nearly two years since the release of Human Head Studio's nausea-inducing FPS, Prey -- and subsequently, since 3D Realms' Scott Miller dropped hints of a sequel for the game. From July 2006 to yesterday morning, no news of Prey 2 had surfaced, leading some to believe the franchise had gone the way of the Duke. Luckily, Shacknews caught wind of a Radar Group website (which, for some reason, was taken down shortly after its inception) with some concept art and juicy, but brief, details about the game.Tommy, the astral-projecting hero of Prey the first, will reprise his role as the brash protagonist. Blamed for the disappearance of his family, Tommy "escapes an Earth that no longer wants him for a future that cannot survive without him", according to the short-lived website. This short tidbit along with a single piece of concept art were all that Radar Group had to tease us with for now -- rumor has it that we'll be hearing more about the sequel some time this week. We'll let you know when that update narbuncularly drops into our hot little hands.
Duke Nukem Forever art director interviewed
Though obviously lacking in details regarding the perpetually in-development Duke Nukem Forever, we can't say we're eagerly awaiting every drop of information (this isn't Brawl, after all). Still, we'll give props to Down in Front, who managed to corner the game's art director, Tramell "T-Ray" Isaac, for an interview.What have we learned? Nothing of great consequence. The unsurprisingly underwhelming teaser trailer was all captured from the in-game engine using Fraps, and the game's storyline takes place in the near future, in Las Vegas. Information regarding release dates, or even general assurances that development in moving along nicely, are notably absent. Like we're surprised.
Duke Nukem Forever teaser: it exists
And that's really all you can say about it. The surprise Duke Nukem Forever teaser that was announced last night is now on the internets for all to see, and we're left pretty much where we started. Well, maybe not exactly where we started, but we can definitely see the starting line from here. So, what's in the video? Assuming this is in-engine footage, it looks fairly pretty. Duke's biceps are excellently manly and full of bulging veins. There are pig monsters, squid monsters, and generic alien monsters. Duke spits out a trademark one-liner, which unfortunately falls a little flat. That's it. Roll credits. It's okay though. It's a teaser after all. Consider us teased. Now, 3D Realms, it's time to put up or shut up. Show us some gameplay footage or at least let us in on the ten year old joke.
Duke Nukem Forever teaser perpetuates cycle of non-delivery
Much like being trapped within the confines of a stereotypical Star Trek episode, watching Duke Nukem Forever's latest tease is an unwelcome encounter with your favorite industry's very own temporal loop. We've all been through the cycle of doubt and anticipation many times over, hurled back to the beginning whenever 3D Realms decides to switch engines, scrap designs and slam the big ol' reset button on George Broussard's desk.This particular peek at 3D Realms' perpetually approaching wolf offers exactly what you'd expect: bulging biceps, tentacled aliens and absolutely no assurances that your ten-year wait will be worth it. Until we see an actual game, consider our reserves of faith and interest thoroughly depleted.
Duke Nukem Forever teaser coming tomorrow
As a sign that Duke Nukem (the character) is still alive and kicking, 3D Realms has announced that a teaser video for Duke Nukem Forever will go live tomorrow at noon CST (that's 1:00 p.m. EST, or Joystiq Time). To tide us over, the developer has released a screenshot (seen above) from tomorrow's video to prove that it does, in fact, exist. After over a decade of waiting, it's about time somebody released a teaser video of the game in its current form. Of course, the very word "teaser" gives us the impression that it'll be less than 30 seconds long and have little to no bearing on the actual gameplay. If you've been waiting over 10 years to see Duke puff a high-resolution cigar, then good for you! If not, feel free to join us in the Land of Expected Disappointments tomorrow (with well roasted crow on standby).[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
3D Realms wants Duke Nukem on the XBLA
In a comment discussion over on ShackNews about Duke Nukem 3D and its possible appearance on the XBLA, 3D Realms employee George Broussard confirmed that their company is interesting in porting the game, but is waiting on Microsoft's approval. Commenting on the status of such a port, Broussard stated that "Truth be told, we've talked to Microsoft about it and have some people that would port it. Just waiting on the good word from Microsoft to continue". So, in effect, we'll definitely be seeing some hot Duke Nukem action on the Arcade ... that is if Microsoft allows and / or wants it enough. But seriously, how could anyone turn down Mr. Nukem?[Via xbox360.dcemu.co.uk]
ESRB does its job, industry discovers regulations
In early July 3D Realms received a violation notice from the ESRB, which has now precipitated one of the more public industry outcries against the ESRB. Scott Miller of 3D Realms spoke out against the industry regulator to The Hollywood Reporter after his company received "Internet Warning Notice" for 31 violations on their website. Miller was upset because he says his publishers handle all the rating stuff, so for the ESRB to send him a letter about violating rules because of old icons and no content descriptors made him feel like they were "sucker punching" game developers and that "The Dark Side is in control." 3D Realms' failure to comply would result in a $10,000 fine per violation.Miller has a laundry list of issues with the ESRB and the way they handled this situation, but the ESRB says they are simply enforcing the rules the industry placed upon itself. The ESRB's Patricia Vance says, "Unfortunately, due to 3D Realms' lack of experience submitting games to the ESRB, it would appear that they were unaware of the various industry guidelines in place and the consequences of not complying with those guidelines." Was that a Duke Nukem' Forever dig? We're sure there'll be more scuffles between developers and the ESRB. The same way the film industry has fights between directors/producers and the MPAA rating board. But the ESRB will pretty much tell you, it's either their way, the self-regulated way, or regulation will fall to the US government.[Via GamePolitics]
Duke Nukem Forever pic sighted in Game Informer
Remember when we said another Duke Nukem Forever image prior to summer's end would indicate an "imminent apocalypse?" Time to prepare your shelters because 3D Realms threw in a new picture of DNF in the latest issue of Game Informer alongside the unveiling of Earth No More.The picture itself is rather non-revealing -- even more so than the previous two pictures of Duke and a Pork Nemesis. Over at the DNF forums, 3DR staffer Joe Siegler said that he cannot post a higher-resolution image online but agreed to the suggestion that the screenshot's inclusion in the magazine might get more people to read about Earth No More. Sneaky tactic, indeed -- at least Duke is being used somehow.Just a reminder, we are now in the year 10 A.D. ("After Duke"), a decade since the unveiling of DNF.
Yet another tiny Duke Nukem Forever image
Duke Nukem Forever is starting to have a lot in common with modern myths. Like Sasquatch or the Loch Ness Monster, months pass with no news whatsoever, and then the topic is ablaze again with the release of a blurry photograph. The newest image comes from the latest issue of Game Informer, inside an article discussing 3D Realms' Earth No More. So, what can we discern from the new image? Not much. We can see lightning, what looks like a tree or tentacled creature, some walls, and that's about it. Of course, that won't stop hungry Duke Nukem fans from analyzing the image until their eyes bleed.We'd like to join them, but like many Sasquatch Duke Nukem Forever skeptics, we're just not convinced the game actually exists.
3D Realms hints at new project, Earth No More
3D Realms just announced their latest sci-fi/horror/suspense based game and is being tight lipped about the all the juicy details. Over on their blog, 3D Realms talks about Earth No More being their latest project and only teases about the details, because all the goods will be revealed in the July 2007 issue of Game Informer. Though, they did throw us a bone by posting a few quotes from the Game Informer article including details on a gun that works like a reverse proton pack called the Linker and how enemy AI will group together to take you down. They also mentioned that the team is pulling inspiration from movies like 28 Days Later, The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Aliens to nail the kind of suspense and horror that these movies bring to the table. But that's about it as any other details will have to come from Game Informer. Patience friends, patience.
3D Realms announces Earth No More for the PS3
3D Realms, the company behind the videogame punchline Duke Nukem Forever, has just announced the development of a new shooter for the PS3, PC and Xbox 360. Titled Earth No More, the action title game will supposedly feature a robust conversation engine for communicating with teammates and NPCs, as well as strong story thats 'part 28 Days Later, part War of the Worlds.' Making the game are ex-Max Payne developers, Recoil Games. This appears to be their first title under their own development label though, so it's hard to judge their true pedigree. Also, besides hints of a storyline that consists of a pissed-off Earth who's trying to kill us and some vague team mechanics, very little is known about the game. It won't be coming out until 2009 though, so there is a lot of time for us to learn more about the game. Of course, at the rate 3D Realms publishes games, there's always the possibility that we won't see it until 2015.[Via Joystiq]
3D Realms claims Earth No More
The latest issue of Game Informer has details on 3D Realms' Earth No More, likely one of their two "big announcements" expected within the next six months. The title is being developed for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 by Recoil Gamers, reportedly made up of former Max Payne developers.Earth No More centers around a New Englander caught in the middle of an outbreak in a town surrounded by poison, terraforming vines -- it may sound a lot like War of the Worlds, but these vines are (gasp!) part of a man-made catastrophe!The game will play out without cutscenes, à la Half-Life 2, and the article (via CVG) claims that human interaction will be the focus of the title, "with a conversation mechanic said to rival that of Mass Effect." Bit of a bold statement, given that BioWare's RPG is still not finalized (or dated, for that matter). There will also be online co-op.Earth No More is tentatively set for a 2009, or 12 A.D. (i.e. After Duke Nukem Forever was announced), release.
Duke Nukem won't be 3D Realms' next 'big announcement'
3D Realms has some big announcements coming in the next six months, but nothing about Duke Nukem Forever, according to new creative director Raphael Van Lierop."I can say that we have a big announcement coming in the next four weeks, and I'm not sure, but I believe we have another major announcement coming in the next four to six months," he said in an interview with Gamasutra. "While I can't say exactly what these are, are they about Duke Nukem Forever? No."Since beginning the DNF project just over a decade ago, the company has managed to release 12 titles, which can be summed up as Prey, two Max Paynes and nine Duke Nukem iterations. Van Lierop said that their business model benefits from a "very collaborative relationship" with other developers. If DNF isn't one of the company's next two big announcements, then we'll likely see another partnership, perhaps the Prey sequel that 3DR's CEO Scott Miller told Firing Squad in February was already mapped out from a "high-level story standpoint." The first big announcement will coincide with this year's E3 Media and Business Summit. Fun fact: In the span of two questions, or 521 words, in the interview, there are 9 mentions to Duke Nukem Forever, totaling 27 words (with only one of those references by the interviewer). That's over 5% of the words used in that section!
Duke Nukem Forever image again released via job posting
Get out your magnifying glass, Grandma, because we've got yet another nano-image of Duke Nukem Forever via a job posting on Gamasutra. This proof of existence leads us to only one extremely logical conclusion: that to cut back on development time, 3D Realms is going to use a native resolution 200 pixels wide. Oh, how clever they are!Of course, we're not serious (hopefully), but those still holding on to the dream of Duke have another blip of hope. A previous DNF picture came from a Gamasutra job posting in January, just three months prior. Should we get another Duke sighting before the summer ends, we may be seeing the warning signs of an imminent apocalypse.
Happy 10th un-birthday Duke Nukem Forever!
Hold on, Wii! Your name isn't the only thing celebrating a birthday today! Well, it's not so much a "birth" day in this other case, seeing as how we're still waiting for the baby to drop ... So, happy 10th un-birthday Duke Nukem Forever! CVG reminds us that ten years ago, on this very day, you were conceived and hurriedly scribbled into tiny notebooks (computers weren't even invented yet!) and from there typed up into magazines (remember them?) the world over. Sure, a lot of things have happened in the last ten years (no, seriously, A LOT) -- including some awards, you assiduous devil -- but we still remember where we were when you were announced to the world. Find out where after the break:
