3D Realms, independent developer of the Duke Nukem action franchise, is closing its doors and its employees being let go, according to multiple industry sources.
News of the closure was first reported by Shacknews, with Gamasutra obtaining separate confirmation. Sources told Gamasutra the studio will be fully shut down by the end of the week.
Formed over twenty years ago as Apogee Software and located in Garland, Texas, 3D Realms was privately owned and run by Scott Miller and George Broussard. It served as developer of the three main Duke Nukem games and as publisher of many more.
For more than a decade, 3D Realms has notoriously been working on various iterations of Duke Nukem Forever, its sequel to the classic FPS Duke Nukem 3D. Forever was announced in 1997, and saw repeated delays.
In the last few years, news about the game began to emerge more frequently, and small screenshots and development tidbits were occasionally released.
Recently, 3D Realms also produced the two Max Payne games by Remedy Entertainment, published Human Head Studios' Prey, and brought Duke Nukem 3D to Xbox Live Arcade.
[UPDATE: Gamasutra has received a statement from Deep Silver and Apogee Software, the label recently resurrected by 3D Realms for its retro-flavored offerings.
The companies state that development of Duke Nukem Trilogy, a Nintendo DS and PSP platformer compilation of Duke Nukem: Chain Reaction, Duke Nukem: Critical Mass and Duke Nukem: Proving Grounds, is unaffected by today's news. Development of the trilogy is being handled by Frontline Studios.
In addition, Take-Two has released a statement to outlets including Shacknews, as follows: "We can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title. In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever."]
Maybe it was true when someone mentioned on Fallout forums that some names like to make themselves true? (ir: forever launch of Duke Forever and broken launch of Broken Steel... And what broken this one...)
Maybe not, Rocket Man. Apogee still owns the Duke Nukem franchise, and Take Two Interactive still owns the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever. Apparently 3D Realms had finally hit the last stages of development within the past year or so, too, notably last June when they let an industry reporter get a look at the game and actually released a few screens of the beta (or post-beta, not sure) version of the game.
This does beg an interesting question, though: with 3D Realms gone, how many of the developers/publishers of yore - those who really helped start the PC gaming (and gaming, PERIOD) trend are left? The only one I can think of off the top of my head is id Software.
This comes as no surprise. Having a project in development for 13 years and having nay nothing to show for it since 1997 leaves me wondering just what they spend all that time doing.
kotaku has a current team pict with not one female in the studio. was that current? i loved the first DK, but how contemporarily relevant (and successful) can you be when you're living in the eighties?
Some of the folks over at the "Firearms: Source" forums have been all over this issue. Apparently there's been a ton of news and unofficial media releases on the CSNation forums.
I reckon some company out there should pick up the development of DNF and finish it quickly, then it's out and that company gets to say "WE finally brought it out for you." Yeah I hate those catty marketing tactics, but if that what it takes to bring Duke back...
http://www.3drealms.com/news/1997/10/pc_gamer_cover.html
Unless they are closing the 3D brand and returning to the kick-ass awesome Apogee 2D games... (Raptor sequel anyone? o/)
Duke Nukem FOREVEEER!
A lot of my gaming history is just that... history. Origin, Sierra, Ritual, 3D Realms and others had lasting impact on my love for games.
This does beg an interesting question, though: with 3D Realms gone, how many of the developers/publishers of yore - those who really helped start the PC gaming (and gaming, PERIOD) trend are left? The only one I can think of off the top of my head is id Software.
Bad news, indeed. Bullfrog died, and now 3D Realms... My PC gaming youth is definitely gone :(
Hmm... what the hell is this? Written by a 3D Realms employee. Looks unbelievable, especially the last part about the chair.
Thats some crazy stuff that gamingstupid blog, Im not sure what to make of it.
It sounds like a piece from one of the "Hackers" movies...
Some people waited years for this game to get out, I mean they should leak it or release it as open source or somethin :P
Bizarre scary stuff O.O
Altough it makes sense...
Funding was blown on red bull and doritos. Not to mention subscription and expansion pack costs.
The FA:S thread is here:
http://forums.firearms-source.com/showthread.php?p=222689#post222689
And the CSNation threads are here:
http://csnation.totalgamingnetwork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179587
http://csnation.totalgamingnetwork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179607
http://csnation.totalgamingnetwork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179610
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