Rock, Paper, Shotgun

But they have dissolved the DNF dev team. Shacknews has the full statement.

Despite rumors and statements to the contrary, 3D Realms (3DR) has not closed and is not closing. 3DR retains ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise. Due to lack of funding, however, we are saddened to confirm that we let the Duke Nukem Forever (DNF) development team go on May 6th, while we regroup as a company. While 3DR is a much smaller studio now, we will continue to operate as a company and continue to license and co-create games based upon the Duke Nukem franchise.

Lots more through the link, complete with the response to Take 2’s lawsuit.

It’s time for a new twist in the tale of Duke Nukem Forever. Shacknews are reporting that Take-Two are now filing a lawsuit against the remnants of Apogee and 3D Realms, suing them for failing to deliver the promised game, and demanding a copy of the source code. Cor blimey. In a round-up of who’s suing who today, business news site Bloomberg mentions the case, stating that Take-Two are making the case because “Apogee breached an agreement to design the latest installment of Duke Nukem.” And in recently discovered papers, it’s been revealed that the publisher are demanding a copy of the source code, and assurance that none of the game be leaked or destroyed.

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This splurged its way all across the web yesterday, but we might as well report it for The Eye of RPS to gaze down on it with a fiery stare. It is apparently a demo reel from developer Bryan Brewer, who worked on the game until the recently closure of 3D Realms. Various sources managed to grab the video before he pulled it off his site, presumably at the sabre-rattle of parties who remain interested in what exists of the game. The actual game footage is spliced with a lot of modeling roughs and concept stuff, but it gives us a fairly good idea about how Duke might have played: it’s a first-person shooter videogame.
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Not particularly interesting, as it’s just some character renders and a couple of environments, but Duke Nukem Forever materials nonetheless. They’ve apparently been posted by former art director from the project, Tramell Isaac, who also worked on Planetside and the original Fallout games. He’s looking for a job now, natch. And – assuming these are real – I expect we’ll see more such assets turning up on the web in the coming weeks. I’ve posted the most interesting ones after the jump. Click on them for full size. [Via Bluesnews.]
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Just a quick follow-up to last night’s nega-gossip that the Duke Nukem developer had gone the way of all flesh…. 3D Realms staffer Joe Siegler popped up on the official forums with a terse confirmation: “It’s not a marketing thing. It’s true. I have nothing further to say at this time.” Aw. Good luck to all who once sailed in the good ship 3DR.
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Mere minutes after we received a whispered tip from a hooded figure soothsaying the news, Shacknews are reporting that 3D Realms has closed shop. The twenty-two year old developer apparently suffered funding issues, according to Shacknews’ similarly anonymous source, and staff from the company have been let go.

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Blurry low-res screens, but screens nonetheless. Two of ‘em, one showing Duke and some cavorting womenfolk, and the other some sort of tenta-beast thing. Duke4.net has ‘em, acquired by one of their members by unlocking every achievement in the new (and reportedly excellent) Xbox Live Arcade port of Duke Nukem 3d.

Still not doing much to wow me – especially after that grrrrrrubish teaser trailer – but there is a bit of bottom on show, which someone will probably get excited about.

When I saw the thread over at Qt3, I presumed I was about to be Rick-rolled. But no. Really. Footage. Hence the blurry grab of the footage of the game that is known as Duke Nukem Forever in the autoplaying footage which you can see beneath the cut.

The end time is nigh.
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The Dallas Business Journal claims that Duke Nukem Forever is “confirmed” for release on the PC and consoles in 2008. It goes on to back up this report with a somewhat less definitive quote from 3D Realms’ Scott Miller:

“We haven’t formally announced any platforms for DNF,” wrote 3D Realms President Scott Miller in an e-mail exchange. “But, of course hitting the big three makes the most sense (PC, PS3, 360).” Miller added a note of caution on the 12-years-coming sequel and its release window, claiming, “we may miss the mark by a month or two, but I feel very confident that we’re on target this time.”

It’s looking like it might just happen this year. Maybe. Probably. Yes.

Or not. Update on Shacknews:

“3D Realms has informed Shacknews that a release date and platforms for Duke Nukem Forever were not confirmed in its interview with the Dallas Business Journal. A more detailed response is expected later today.”

Hrm.

…we think the Duke Nukem trailer is a load of old balls too, for the record. But it’s purely a misfiring promotional video clip, and probably has very, very little bearing on what the actual game’s like. So there’s really no need to send 3D Realms hate mail just yet. Hopefully.