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Duke Nukem Forever demo 'early access' included with Borderlands GOTY Edition
2K Games has announced that buying the Borderlands "Game of the Year Edition" will grant you entry into what it's calling the "Duke Nukem Forever Early Access Club." In other words, the Borderlands re-release -- which bundles together the original, Gearbox-developed "role-playing shooter" and all its DLC -- comes with a code to download the DNF demo (plus other, undefined "goodies"). Now, here's where we'd normally tell you when said demo would be available to said club members ... Problem is, 2K isn't saying exactly when we can expect the DNF demo -- apart from "prior to the retail launch of the game" in calendar 2011. There's also no word on just how much longer those who are not in the "early access club" would have to wait for their demo. But, hey, you've already waited forever for the game -- what's a few more weeks or months? The Borderlands GOTY Edition will be available on October 12 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Video game characters need business cards too
Getting in touch with heroes can be difficult. Typically, they only bother to roll out of bed and show up when something goes really wrong.
Pitchford: Duke Nukem Forever demo an 'important thing to do'
So you weren't at PAX last weekend, and didn't play Duke Nukem Forever? Well, then you probably agree with Gearbox's Randy Pitchford when he says that a playable demo for the mythical title is probably "an important thing to do." That's not a confirmation but, now that the cat's out of the bag, the company will start investigating ways to effectively market the game. Putting a demo in the hands of a skeptical audience is a good start, if PAX is any indication. If you missed it, you might still think of Duke Nukem Forever as vaporware, and remain convinced that Gearbox told PAX attendees that "it would be really funny" if they all pretended the game was playable. Wouldn't it be nice to lay your extremely paranoid fears to rest?
'We bought Duke Nukem.' Franchise rights transferred from 3D Realms to Gearbox
Just two days after revealing its stewardship of the Duke Nukem Forever title at PAX, Gearbox Software just revealed that it has actually purchased the Duke Nukem brand. Gearbox president Randy Pitchford told an audience at PAX this afternoon that they're not just making sure Duke Nukem Forever makes it to store shelves, but they've actually purchased the entire Duke Nukem IP. "We actually bought the brand," Pitchford told fans. "We bought Duke Nukem." A press release timed to go out with the announcement has some more information. Here's the big picture quote: "Gearbox Software announced today that it has acquired the full intellectual property rights of the 'Duke Nukem' brand including Duke Nukem Forever and all future projects in a cooperative deal made with 3D Realms." Even more interesting: "The first product to be available under the Duke Nukem brand will be the long awaited Duke Nukem Forever." Naturally, if they're buying the brand you can imagine DNF won't be the last game to feature the Duke. Pitchford made a point to say that Alan Blum, the creator of the Duke Nukem franchise, is now with Gearbox. "He's on the 10th floor with his team," he said. He also wanted to explain that this franchise couldn't simply have been purchased by anyone. "I didn't buy it from [3D Realms]," Pitchford said. "They sold it to me." In the press release, 3D Realms' Scott Miller said, "Gearbox was handpicked as the new home for Duke Nukem because of their continued passion, commitment and long-time heritage with the brand and 3D Realms." So, Duke Begins then?
Pitchford explains the Duke shirt that predates Duke Nukem Forever
Come get some background on Randy Pitchford's back-in-fashion Duke Nukem shirt, seen above: "I moved to Texas and became a professional game maker to join Allen Blum, he created Duke Nukem 3D," the Gearbox co-founder told an audience at PAX. "He and Todd Replogle in Southern California, freaking invented this whole damned thing. And I moved out to Texas to join him and George Broussard and Scott Miller, and all the guys on the team, so that I could be part of Duke Nukem 3D. Because I wanted to add to that. I thought it was awesome; it was really fun and I wanted to be part of that team. "This t-shirt I'm wearing, George gave me this t-shirt in 1996," Pitchford continued, now speaking as part of the team that now hopes to complete Duke Nukem Forever. "And we've been waiting for this game ever since. Guys like Alan didn't want to let the Duke dream die. They've worked their butts off all this time making great stuff." [Image credit: Mikey Neumann, Gearbox creative director; via Twitter]
Duke Nukem Forever preview: Yeah, it's actually playable. No, really.
After what is arguably the longest, most troubled development in the history of video games, Duke Nukem Forever is finally, really, truly here. It's not being shown secretly, behind-closed-doors at some industry event. Instead, it's at PAX, an event that is, more than any other in this industry, consumer facing, and that tangibility is a big part of Gearbox's reveal. Wait, who? Gearbox Software, the Texas-based dev who's helping to bring 3D Realms' pre-Google (think about it!) labor of love to consoles, is behind this revival along with publisher 2K Games. "This is a game you can't make promises about," Gearbox prez Randy Pitchford told an audience of incredulous gamers this morning. "Haven't we not been teased enough? We don't want to tease. We just thought we'd bring it to PAX." And Gearbox didn't just bring a trailer – although it did bring one of those – but more importantly, there's about 15 minutes of playable game. Let that sink in for a while. While we weren't able to grab video of the trailer – you'll have to settle for my account – Pitchford did say that people could take pics. Actually, he said, "You've got cameras. You've got cellphones with cameras on them. Take all the pictures you want [...] We'll even take the pictures for you." You know, when Duke Nukem Forever was first announced, I didn't have a cellphone yet ... and the idea of a cellphone with a camera on it? Madness. %Gallery-101315%
Duke Nukem Forever footage: Press Right Trigger to urinate
2K Games hosted a video livestream of its booth shortly after the re-announcement (or is it un-cancellation?) of Duke Nukem Forever, showing off a few fans getting their first shot at the alien-murdering sim. You can check out a couple of over-the-shoulder gameplay clips from this stream posted just after the jump. And, yes, it is worth noting that this particular demo begins with Duke Nukem relieving himself, an action you apparently execute by pressing Right Trigger. You're going to feel tempted to press Left Trigger, but for the sweet love of God, you have to resist that urge. %Gallery-101310%
Duke Nukem Forever coming '2011' on Xbox 360, PS3 & PC, courtesy of Gearbox
It's finally, really, actually ... maybe going to happen at this point. The rumors are true: Gearbox Software and 2K Games have taken on the Herculean task of completing and releasing 3D Realms' unfinished Duke Nukem Forever. The project was officially unveiled today at PAX during a livestreamed presentation at the 2K Games booth and announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. "It's coming out in 2011," Gearbox president Randy Pitchford said during the presentation. (Of course, we're skeptical about any release date associated with this particular title.) Gearbox began finishing Duke Nukem Forever in late 2009, according to The Wall Street Journal. "Clearly the game hadn't been finished at 3D Realms but a lot of content had been created," Pitchford told WSJ. "We're in the polishing phase now. This is a game where we can not make a promise we can not fulfill," Pitchford added. "We need to get past the shock and awe, and then we can go to all the retailers and first parties and work out a launch plan." Duke Nukem Forever is a sequel to Duke Nukem 3D and will feature both a single-player campaign and multiplayer. "Aliens come and say they're going to be our friends, and Duke knows this isn't going to work out," Pitchford revealed of the plot. "Duke once again is in the pivotal spot and it's up to him to save the world." [Image credit: Kurt Miller]
Duke Nukem Forever appearing at 2K's PAX booth [update: pictured!]
digg_url = 'http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-rumored-at-pax/'; "OMG, Duke Nukem is at PAX!" At least, according to an effusive tweet from Joystiq alum Dustin Burg. In addition, a source at the convention told Joystiq that images of Duke Nukem are visible at the 2K booth, which has yet to open to the public. The Gearbox logo can be seen, but the title of whatever Duke Nukem game is being promoted is currently covered. However, we might have a clue, thanks to reports coming in from CVG's "US dev sources," who tell the site that the game is actually Duke Nukem Forever, and will be given a "grand demo" at the show. Rumors have been flying recently about Gearbox signing on to complete the game. Also flying: pigs, in an image tweeted by 3D Realms' George Broussard (who joked with 1UP in a January 2006 interview that he expected DNF to be released "when pigs fly") . 2K did say it planned "something big" at its booth, and this would certainly qualify. Update: Gearbox creative director Mikey Neumann tweeted a picture of CEO Randy Pitchford wearing a Duke t-shirt. Seems portentous! Update 2: A partial image from 2KGames' Twitter account also shows the Duke "radioactive" logo. Update 3: Well, here's the most concrete evidence you could ever ask for. Pikimal [via Shacknews] posted several images, like the photo stand seen above, of Duke Nukem Forever signs at the 2K booth.
Rumor: Duke Nukem Forever being completed by Gearbox
According to unnamed sources speaking with Kotaku and "claiming to have knowledge of the situation," development on Duke Nukem Forever is continuing -- until completion -- with Borderlands developer Gearbox Software. Stranger still, the sources also claim that a "playable demo" will be distributed at some point "later this year." While Take-Two confirmed that it retains the rights to DNF, it didn't offer any comment on the matter. Gearbox head Randy Pitchford couldn't say anything either, but did note that he might be able to "better clarify the situation" at this year's PAX Prime. Duke Nukem creator George Broussard declined to comment as well. Although this is most certainly a "rumor" for now, we'd still like to wish Gearbox the best of luck over the next 15 years.
Apogee and Take-Two settle Duke Nukem Forever lawsuit
After Duke Nukem Forever's lengthy (and often mocked) development ended without a retail product, developer Apogee and publisher Take-Two played the blame game in court. A lawsuit, and subsequent countersuit, held serious accusations against both: Take-Two demanded compensation for lost money loaned to the developer, while Apogee claimed pressure to sell the IP for "less than their true value." While details of the litigation aren't made clear in this court filing, it appears both companies have accepted a settlement, with all accusations "dismissed with prejudice" -- in other words, neither Take-Two nor Apogee will be able to bring this action to court again. According to the document, "each party is to bear its own portion of the costs of this litigation."
More purported footage of Duke Nukem Forever appears
It's not an ideal representation of 3D Realms' legendary project, but leaked footage is the only format in which Duke Nukem Forever is likely to reach the outside world following the studio's legal turmoil. A new fan-made compilation video, which has been uploaded to YouTube (and embedded after the break), provides a few new glimpses at Duke's never-ended extermination road trip across America. In addition to the video, All Games Beta also hosts some alleged screenshots of the first-person shooter -- and odd third-person truck driver, apparently. [Via VG247]
The day Duke Nukem Forever was supposed to go gold
It's April Fools' Day, a day on which we take absolutely everything with a grain of salt. Imagine our surprise, then, when we learned that today, April 1, 2010, was the day that Duke Nukem Forever was supposed to go gold. In other words, the game would have been officially complete and ready for manufacturing. The news comes via former Take-Two producer Jason Bergman's Twitter account which he states today was the gold date according to 3D Realms' internal schedule. Variety followed up with Bergman and confirmed that, no, it's not a joke. Bergman adds that the date was "totally intentional," and that "it was going to be hilarious." Considering the long and storied (and long) development history of Duke Nukem Forever, we're inclined to agree. In fact, it's hard to imagine a more appropriate date for the game to reach the gold milestone. Alas, now that the game is kaput and its corpse trapped in legal limbo, Bergman's revelation is more than a little sad. If you've got any heart left, pour one more out for the Duke and dream of what might have been. Source - Variety Source - Twitter (@loonyboi)
Leaked Duke Nukem footage tugs at familiar heartstrings
They say time heals all wounds. Then why does it still hurt to think about Duke Nukem Forever? Even its apparent demise failed to bring closure to the big hole in our heart. And now this: new gameplay footage? The latest video remains to be found (resting -- in one piece -- after the break) seem unmistakably to be those of our beloved Duke. Maybe it's the familiar dark, underground environments we've gotten to know in other gameplay videos -- like the Jace Hall Show clip and that leaked animator's video -- that send chills down our spine. Or maybe it's just Duke himself, still out of bubble gum and still kicking ass. (Yeah, it's probably that.) Go on. Head past the break and weep. It's okay!
Duke Nukem fan film trailer to satisfy fans starved for Duke content
Okay, what are the odds this Duke Nukem fan film, by Finnish studio HMC, is actually going to be released? Sure, this movie may not actually be developed by 3D Realms -- but neither are those DS and PSP games, and those aren't out yet either. It seems that Duke Nukem may just be cursed. Which is a shame, because this trailer (after the break) is entertaining in the same way a real Duke game is. It's got a girl and a monster and a cigar-chomping jerk who shoots the monster whilst spouting one-liners. We hope this thing continues production -- and we hope the producers find a voice actor for the title character. [Thanks, Topi]
3D Realms teases 'numerous' upcoming Duke Nukem projects
The reports of Duke Nukem's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Though Forever has been jettisoned into the inky blackness of the vaporware realm, leading to a court struggle over the Nukem IP, 3D Realms CEO Scott Miller still sees a future for the foul-mouthed hero. "The next few years should see a strong resurgence in Duke," Miller mentioned in a recent interview with new gaming mag Gamesauce. "There are numerous other Duke games in various stages of development, several due out this year." Miller later added, "We are definitely looking to bring Duke into casual gaming spaces, plus there are other major Duke games in production." Wait, casual Duke games? Like ... FarmDuke? BeDuked Twist? Diner Duke? The possibilities are endless! (And horrifying.)
Wired examines the death of Duke Nukem Forever
Wired's piece on the events leading up to the end of Duke Nukem Forever's 12 year development cycle may not give the full story, thanks to the continuing legal issues between publisher Take-Two and developer 3D Realms, but it does a solid job of putting together the fragmented anecdotes of anonymous employees and people close to the events. The feature is a cautionary tale of ego, ambition and failure. DNF's drama is a yarn that publishers, developers and the press will turn to for years (decades?) to come as the quintessential example of game development gone terribly wrong, terribly publicly. Definitely check it out if you've never gone down the rabbit hole of Duke Nukem Forever's distracted development. [Thanks, Sean]
Facebook spawns more Duke Nukem Forever screens
A new development in the never-ending saga that is Duke Nukem Forever -- or, as we like to call it, Duke Nukem The Ever ... Living! -- has now revealed itself on Facebook. Specifically, Duke Nukem's Facebook page -- we totally friended him -- has been posting screenshots that appear to be from the ill-fated Duke Nukem Forever. As Big Download notes, the shots focus on one giant boss monster stalking what looks like Hoover Dam. We also get a nice render of one of the series floating squid-monster-things and another cybernetic monstrosity.For its part, 3D Realms claims that work on Duke Nukem Forever continues, despite the ongoing legal battle surrounding it. For our part, we can only marvel that we're now seeing more of Duke Nukem Forever after its death than we ever saw during its development.%Gallery-67933%
Duke Begins developer revealed to be Gearbox Software
Shacknews reports that the developer of Duke Begins -- the Duke Nukem prequel project being developed not by 3D Realms, but rather by publisher Take-Two and a "well-known videogame developer" -- was, in fact, Gearbox Software. If that name sounds familiar that's because – like coffee shops and mysterious rashes – the Texas-based developer pops up all over the place, whether in reference to the long-overdue Aliens: Colonial Marines; the recently re-skinned Borderlands; or the oft-rumored Halo 4. As revealed by recent court documents, Gearbox was brought on to develop Duke Begins following a 2007 agreement between 3D Realms and Take-Two. In exchange for the rights to make another Duke game, 3D Realms received a cool $2.5 million advance to help fund the ongoing development of Duke Nukem Forever (and, in turn, extend the practice of wondering aloud, "How on Earth can 3D Realms afford to keep making this game?"). 3D Realms claims that the "halted" development of Duke Begins in April 2009 "materially harmed Apogee and/or will necessarily delay the commercial release of the Duke Begins game." They claimed that any such delay in release would "delay any royalty payments ... from sales of the Duke Begins game and prevent Apogee from being able to repay the [$2.5 million] advance when it becomes due in 2012." And now you begin to see where all this talk of lawsuits came from. We've put word into Gearbox and Take-Two and will let you know what we hear.
Court filing reveals 2K Games was developing 'Duke Begins'
Did you seriously think he'd just roll over and die? He's Duke Nukem, guys. We're pretty sure he can't be killed by conventional weapons (such as bankruptcy).This news came in response to last month's Take-Two court filing against Duke Nukem Forever developer Apogee Software, which attempted to recoup loans the publisher had distributed to Apogee -- loans which would have ostensibly been repaid by DNF royalties. Apogee's attorneys responded Friday with a shocking revelation -- in exchange for their support, Apogee gave Take-Two the rights to simultaneously develop another Duke Nukem game. Take-Two tasked 2K Games with said development under the working title Duke Begins.Apogee's defense states that 2K "halted or otherwise canceled all development work by the third-party game developer on the Duke Begins game in April 2009," an action Apogee sees as Take-Two's attempt at, "pressuring Apogee to sell the Duke Nukem franchise rights to Take-Two for less than their true value." With the cat officially out of the bag, we expect to hear more about the Duke's origin story (like, if it's still being developed) in the near future.[Update: Turns out that the mysterious third-party developer working on Duke Begins for Take-Two was none other than Gearbox Software.]
