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| {{Short description|2011 video game}} | |||
| {{Infobox VG | |||
| {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}} | |||
| {{Infobox video game | |||
| | title = Duke Nukem Forever | | title = Duke Nukem Forever | ||
| | image = |
| image = DukeNukemForever.jpg | ||
| | caption = North American cover art | |||
| | developer = ] (1997–) | |||
| | developer = ]{{efn|Additional development by ], ] and Triptych Games}} | |||
| | publisher = ] (1997–)<br />] (2003–) | |||
| | publisher = ]{{efn|Published to Mac by ]}} | |||
| | engine = | |||
| | director = {{plainlist| | |||
| *Bryan Ekman | |||
| *]}} | |||
| | producer = {{plainlist| | |||
| *Mike Wardwell | |||
| *Geoff Gordon | |||
| *Matthew Newman | |||
| *Brian Hook}} | |||
| | writer = {{plainlist| | |||
| *Valeta Wensloff | |||
| *Kristen Haglund | |||
| *David Riegel}} | |||
| | composer = Eric Von Rothkirch | |||
| | genre = ] | | genre = ] | ||
| | modes = ], ] | | modes = ], ] | ||
| | series = '']'' | | series = '']'' | ||
| | engine = ] (heavily modified as "Duke Engine")<ref>{{cite web |title=Spiele mit Unreal Engine - Von 1998 bis heute |url=https://www.gamestar.de/galerien/spiele_mit_unreal_engine,98204.html |website=www.gamestar.de |language=de-DE}}</ref> | |||
| | platforms = ],<ref name="3drealms">{{cite web|url=http://www.3drealms.com/games.html |title=3D Realms Site: Games |publisher=3drealms.com |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> ]<ref></ref> | |||
| | platforms = {{unbulleted list|]|]|]|]}} | |||
| | media = ], ] | |||
| | released = {{ubl|'''Windows''', '''PS3''', '''Xbox 360'''{{vgrelease|EU/AU|June 10, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>|NA|June 14, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>}}|'''Mac OS X'''{{vgrelease|WW|August 18, 2011}}<!-- Please do not update the date without referencing a reliable source; retailers do not count. -->}} | |||
| | requirements = | |||
| | input = ] and ], ] | |||
| | ratings = | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''''Duke Nukem Forever''''' is a ] ] that has been in development since 1997 by the software developer ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/61747|title=3DR Teases 'Numerous' Duke Nukem Games, 'Looking to Bring Duke into Casual Gaming'|publisher=]|first=Chris|last=Faylor|date=26 December 2009|accessdate= 2009-12-27}}</ref> It was intended as a sequel to the 1996 game '']'', as part of the long-running '']'' video game series, and it was to be directed by ], one of the creators of the original ''Duke Nukem'' game. Early on, the game was being publicised as having "unprecedented interactivity", aiming to "push the limits of gaming and establish new standards in interactivity, variety, and pure fun."<ref>Take-Two Interactive, Publisher . Take-Two Games.</ref> Instead, it became infamous for its ], and it has been ridiculed as ''Duke Nukem: Forever In Development'', "the longest game ever in production" and "an elaborate in-joke at the expense of the industry".<ref name="delarc">Walbank, Mark. "". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved November 28, 2008.</ref> The game has been the subject of much speculation, and has frequently been referred to as ]. The shortened form of the game's title, DNF, has also recently become a joke in popular culture, sharing the same acronym as the phrase "did not finish". | |||
| '''''Duke Nukem Forever''''' is a 2011 ] game developed by ] and published by ] for ], ], ] and ].<ref name="gamein100903"/><ref name="dnpressrelease"/> It is the fourth main installment in the '']'' series and the sequel to '']'' (1996). Players control ] as he comes out of retirement to battle an alien invasion. Like its predecessor, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' features pop culture references, ], and adult content. | |||
| Development on DNF was first publicly announced in April 1997, and promotional information for the game was released in one form or another in each of 1997, 1998, 2001, 2007, and 2008. After repeatedly announcing and deferring release dates for the game, 3D Realms announced publicly in 2001 that DNF would be released simply "when it's done".<ref name="wid">"". 3D Realms. Retrieved March 31, 2008.</ref> In May 2009, 3D Realms terminated the internal development staff for ''DNF''.<ref>"" Shack News. Retrieved January 9th, 2010</ref> Although ] still owns the publishing rights to the game, they do not have an agreement with 3D Realms to provide funding for the game's continued development, and its future remains unclear.<ref name="shacknewscancelled">"http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1127". Shack News. Retrieved May 06, 2009.</ref> In the same month, Take-Two Interactive filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms over their failure to finish development of the game.<ref name="Take-Two Sues Duke Nukem Forever Devs Over Failure To Deliver">"http://kotaku.com/5255220/take+two-sues-duke-nukem-forever-devs-over-failure-to-deliver". Kotaku. Retrieved May 14, 2009.</ref> | |||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever'' began development under ] and underwent a ] that lasted 14 years. Announced in 1997 following the critical and commercial success of ''Duke Nukem 3D'', it was ], which was attributed to ] changes, understaffing, and a lack of a development plan. After 3D Realms downsized in 2009, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was finished by Triptych Games, Gearbox Software, and ]. It holds the ] for the longest development for a video game.<!--ABOUT GUINNESS: This is not the same Guinness world record as the one held by Clockwork Aquario, which was not in continuous development. As of September 2024, Guinness has not updated its record — so DNF still holds the Guinness world record, despite other games exceeding this period--> | |||
| ==Background== | |||
| ] was a lifelong gamer who released his text-based video games as ] in the 1980s. By 1988 the shareware business was a $10 to $20 million a year market, but the distribution method had never been tried for video games. Miller found that gamers were not willing to pay for something they could get for free, so he came up with the idea of offering only the opening levels of his games; players could purchase the game to receive the rest of the game.<ref name="kushner-60">], 60–61.</ref> ], whom Miller met while he was in high school, joined Miller at his company, Apogee, which published and marketed games developed by other companies. While Miller was quiet, with a head for business, Broussard was an enthusiastic "creative impresario". Apogee (renamed to ] in 1994) grew from a small startup to a successful corporation.<ref name="thompson-1">], 1.</ref> Among the titles they published was ]'s '']'' in 1992. Wolfenstein was highly successful, popularizing 3D gaming and establishing the ] (FPS) genre.<ref name="wolf-156">], 156.</ref> | |||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was released on June 14, 2011, and received mostly negative reviews. Critics found the design dated, identified performance problems and found its humor misogynistic and crass. It did not meet sales expectations but was deemed profitable by ], the owner of 2K Games. An additional episode, ''The Doctor Who Cloned Me'', was released as ] later in the year. Early versions of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were leaked in 2022. | |||
| By 1994, Broussard began working on 3D Realm's own first-person shooter. Rather than the faceless marine of other games, players assumed the role of Duke Nukem, whom Broussard described as "a combo of ], ], and ]". After a year and a half of work, '']'' was released in January 1996.<ref name="thompson-1"/> Among game aspects that appealed to players were environmental interaction and adult-oriented content—including blood and strippers.<ref name="trueman">].</ref> Buoyed by the success, Broussard announced a follow-up, ''Duke Nukem Forever''.<ref name="thompson-1"/> | |||
| == |
==Gameplay== | ||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever'' is a ] that combines combat, exploration and puzzle-solving.<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /> The game also switches to a ] when in vehicle use. Players control ], a 1980s-style action hero, as he battles alien invaders<ref name="IGN" /> through three main locations: Las Vegas, a highway and ].<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /> Some areas feature ], ] and driving sequences;<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /> in one sequence, Duke is shrunk to a miniature size and drives a toy car.<ref name="IGN" /> Minigames include ], ] and ].<ref name="IGN" /> | |||
| ===Quake engine, 1997–1998=== | |||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was officially announced on April 28, 1997,<ref name="wernicke-1"/> with the intention of releasing the game no later than mid-1998.<ref>].</ref> Barely a year after the release of ''Duke Nukem 3D'', the game's graphics and its game engine, Build, were antiquated. Id Software's new ] was far superior to Build, so Broussard decided to license it.<ref name="thompson-2">], 2.</ref><ref name="wernicke-1">], 1.</ref> The price spent for the licensing rights was steep—estimates were as high as $500,000—but Broussard reasoned that it would save time used to write a game engine from scratch.<ref name="thompson-2"/> Broussard and Miller were flush with cash from sale of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and other games, so they decided to fund ''Duke Nukem Forever'' themselves, turning marketing and publishing rights over to ].<ref name="thompson-3">], 3.</ref> | |||
| ''Forever'' is slower than previous ''Duke Nukem'' games. As in the '']'' series, players can only carry two weapons at a time, and Duke's ] regenerates automatically.<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /><ref name="IGN" /> The weapons include a shotgun, trip mines, a ] (which shrinks enemies so Duke can stomp on them) and a freeze ray (which freezes enemies so Duke can shatter them).<ref name="IGN" /> Like ''], Forever'' includes pop culture references, ] and adult content, such as strip clubs and the ability to urinate.<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=McDougall |first=Jaz |date=2010-10-05 |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' includes real-time peeing |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/duke-nukem-forever-includes-real-time-peeing/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531165946/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/duke-nukem-forever-includes-real-time-peeing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the ] mode, players compete in games such as ], ] and ].<ref name="Plunkett-2011" /><ref name="IGN" /> | |||
| In August and September, the first screenshots of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were released in '']''. However, 3D Realms did not receive the Quake II engine code until November 1997, and the earlier screenshots were mock-ups with the Quake engine that the team had made in their spare time.<ref name="reed">].</ref> 3D Realms unveiled the first video footage of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' using the Quake II engine at the 1998 ] (E3) conference.<ref name="reed"/> The trailer showed Duke fighting on the back of a moving truck and firefights with aliens. While critics were impressed, Broussard was not happy with the progress being made.<ref name="thompson-2"/> | |||
| ==Plot== | |||
| ===Unreal engine, 1998–2002 === | |||
| Twelve years after he saved the Earth from an alien invasion, Duke Nukem has become a celebrity multimillionaire. After playing a game based on '']'', he arrives on the set of a talk show for an interview. On his way to the show, Duke witnesses a news broadcast announcing that aliens have returned. Unlike previous encounters, the aliens initially appear peaceful and at first, seem to pose no harm to the humans of Earth. | |||
| ] | |||
| Soon after the release of the Quake II engine, ] had unveiled its own ]. The Unreal Engine was more realistic than Quake II and was better suited to producing open spaces—3D Realms had been struggling to render the Nevada desert. Soon after E3, a programmer suggested that they make the switch. After discussions, the developers unanimously agreed to the change, which would mean scrapping much of their work so far,<ref name="thompson-2"/> including significant changes 3D Realms had made to the Quake Engine.<ref name="wernicke-2">], 2.</ref> In June 1998, 14 months after the Quake II announcement, 3D Realms made the switch announcement. Broussard said that the game would not be "significantly delayed" by the switch, but that the project would be back to where it was at E3 "within a month to six weeks". Broussard also said that no content seen in the E3 trailer would be lost.<ref name="3drealms-engine switch">].</ref> Chris Hargrove, one of the game's programmers at the time, confided that the change amounted to a complete reboot of the project.<ref name="thompson-2"/> | |||
| Duke's talk show appearance is canceled to allow television stations to cover the alien invasion, and Duke retires to the "Duke Cave", his home. There, he receives a call from the president and General Graves of the Earth Defense Force (EDF). The president orders Duke not to harm the invaders and adds that he is in diplomatic talks with the alien overlord. | |||
| By the end of 1999, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' had missed several release dates and was largely unfinished; half the game's weapons remained concepts.<ref name="thompson-2"/> Broussard shot back at criticisms of the game's lengthy development time as the price paid for developing complex modern games: | |||
| <blockquote>Today's games are MUCH more complex. In ''Duke Nukem 3D'' all the characters were sprites. Today they are polygonal models, have to be skinned, and then animated or motion captured. A ''very'' long, tedious and complex process. Also games today are "deeper" and require more than key/door stuff. That means more time to develop. Note all the so-so games that didn't sell well in the last two years and you will see that they were simple compared to more complex efforts like '']''. A game like ''Duke Nukem Forever'' is probably 5-10 times more complex that ''Duke Nukem 3D'' was."<ref name="ign-duke1999">].</ref></blockquote> | |||
| A significant factor contributing to the game's protracted development was that Broussard was continually looking to add new elements to the game. A running joke at 3D Realms was to stop Broussard from seeing a new video game, as he would want to include portions of it in ''Duke Nukem Forever''. Later that year Broussard decided to upgrade to a new version of the Unreal engine that was designed for ] matches. Former employees recalled that Broussard did not have a plan for what the finished game would look like.<ref name="thompson-2"/> At the same time, GT Interactive was facing higher-than-expected losses and hired ] to look into selling the company or merging it.<ref name="cnet-gt interactive">].</ref> Later that year ] announced it was purchasing a controlling interest in GT Interactive.<ref>].</ref> The publishing rights for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' passed to ] in early December 2000.<ref>].</ref> | |||
| When Duke is attacked by hostile aliens, Duke is forced to disobey the president's orders and fight his way through the alien hordes. While fighting through his casino, Duke witnesses the aliens abducting women, including his two pop-star girlfriends. Graves tells Duke that the women are being held in the Duke Dome and that the aliens have a vendetta to settle with Duke. He also warns Duke that the aliens are using ] to power a wormhole so more aliens can come through. Duke travels to the Duke Dome, using a wrecking ball to damage the building to gain access. Inside, he finds swarms of Octabrains and the missing women, who have been impregnated with alien spawn. Duke's girlfriends die after bearing alien babies, infuriating Duke. Duke finds the Alien Queen in control of the Duke Dome and kills her, but is wounded in the process and blacks out. | |||
| To placate anxious fans, Broussard decided to create another trailer for E3 2001—it was the first public look at the game in three years.<ref name="thompson-3"/> The video showed a couple of minutes of in-game footage,<ref name="ign-e32001"/> which notably showed the player moving in a what appears to be Las Vegas and a certain level of interactivity (the player buys a sandwich from a vending machine and pushes each individual button on a ] with Duke's outstretched finger). The trailer was impressive, and ''Duke Nukem'' was the talk of the convention;<ref name="thompson-3"/> IGN reported on the games graphics that, "Characters come to life with picturesque facial animations that are synced perfectly with speech, hair that swings as they bob their heads, eyes that follow gazes, and more. The particle effects system, meanwhile, boasts impressive explosion effects with shimmering fire, shattered glass, and blood spilt in every direction Add in real-time lighting effects, interactive environments, and a variation in locales unequaled in any other first-person shooter and you begin to see and understand why Duke Nukem Forever has been one of the most hotly anticipated titles over the last couple of years."<ref name="ign-e32001">].</ref> ''Duke Nukem Forever'' looked as good or better than most games, and staff at 3D Realms recalled a sense of elation after the presentation; "The video was just being eaten up by people," one said. "We were so far ahead of other people at the time." While many of the staff expected Broussard to make a push for finishing the game, however, he still did not have a finished product in mind.<ref name="thompson-3"/> Following the death of one of Gather of Developers' co-founders and continuing financial problems, the publishers' Texas-based offices were shut down and absorbed into parent company ].<ref name="thorsen2003">].</ref> | |||
| After regaining consciousness, Duke fights Pigcops and aliens through the Duke Burger. He travels to the Hoover Dam in his ]. After battling through the dam, he finds his old friend Dylan, mortally wounded. Dylan tells Duke that the reborn Cycloid Emperor is at the dam and that the only way to shut down the portal is to completely destroy it. Before dying, he gives Duke his demolition charges and wishes him luck. Duke places the explosives and destroys the dam, but the currents nearly drown him. | |||
| ===2003–2005=== | |||
| By 2003, only 18 people at 3D Realms were working on the game. One former employee said that Broussard and Miller were still operating on a "1995 mentality", before games became large-team, big budget development affairs. Because they were financing the project themselves, the developers could also ignore pressure from their publisher;<ref name="thompson-3"/> their standard reply to when ''Duke Nukem Forever'' would ship was "when it's done".<ref name="thompson-3"/><ref name="morris2003">].</ref> In 2003, Take-Two CEO Jeffrey Lapin reported that the game would not be out that year.<ref>].</ref> He further said the company was writing off $5.5 million from its earnings due to ''Duke Nukem Forever''{{'}}s lengthy development time.<ref name="morris2003"/> Broussard shot back that "Take-Two needs to ] ... We don’t want Take-Two saying stupid-ass things in public for the sole purposes of helping their stock. It's our time and our money we are spending on the game. So either we're absolutely stupid and clueless, or we believe in what we are working on."<ref name="thompson-3"/><ref name="morris2003"/> Later that year, Lapin said 3D Realms had told him that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was expected to be finished by the end of 2004, or the beginning of 2005.<ref name="thorsen2003"/> | |||
| Duke is revived by an EDF soldier and awakens to find the portal gone. The president, who was also at the dam, rages at Duke for ruining his plans to work with the Cycloid Emperor. The president was actually intending to have the aliens kill Duke so he could control the Earth with Cycloid Emperor. He has ordered a nuclear strike at the site of the dam to wipe out the remaining aliens, intending to leave Duke there to die. The Cycloid Emperor emerges and kills the president and his security detail; he intended to kill the president after the deal. Duke kills the Cycloid Emperor and is rescued by Graves as the nuclear bomb explodes. In a press conference, Duke announces his intent to run for ]. | |||
| In 2004, video game website ] reported that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' had switched to the '']'' engine.<ref name="thorsen2004">].</ref> Many gaming news sites mailed Broussard, asking him to confirm or deny the rumor. After receiving no answer from him, they published the rumor as fact, but Broussard explicitly denied the rumor soon after.<ref name="doom">Thorsen, Tor. . GameSpot. September 10, 2004.</ref> Soon after 3D Realms announced it had replaced the Unreal Engine's Karma physics system with one designed by ], a relatively unknown Swedish firm. Closed-doors demonstrations suggested that the physics of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' would be a step up from the critically-acclaimed '']''.<ref>].</ref> | |||
| ===''The Doctor Who Cloned Me''=== | |||
| Rumors in April 2005 suggested that the game would appear at 2005 ], along with 3D Realms' previously canceled '']''. While ''Prey'' did make an appearance, the rumors of ''Duke Nukem Forever''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s appearance turned out to be false.<ref>McNamara, Tom. . ]. May 19, 2005.</ref> | |||
| In the ] ''The Doctor Who Cloned Me'', Duke wakes up after the nuclear explosion and finds himself trapped in a strange laboratory while video recordings of himself declaring his bid for Presidency play on monitors. After escaping, Duke discovers that not only are the aliens continuing their invasion, but his old nemesis Dr. Proton (the antagonist of the original '']'' game) has returned and is building an army of robotic Duke clones to fight the aliens and conquer Earth himself. | |||
| Duke infiltrates Proton's laboratory in Area 51 by posing as one of the clones. Eventually, Proton spots him and attacks Duke but he escapes and is reunited with Dylan (revealed as still alive). With Dylan's help, Duke locates and kills Dr. Proton. General Graves then communicates with Duke to inform him that the aliens are being bred by an Alien Empress that is nesting on the moon. After finding a teleporter leading up to the moon, Duke commandeers a moon rover and destroys the Alien Empress, saving Earth and its women once again. | |||
| ===2006–2008=== | |||
| In February 2006, Broussard gave an interview and updated the status on ''DNF''. He reported that everything was together and in full production, and that the guns, creatures, and everything else had been finished. Broussard said that the development team was tweaking and polishing the game and putting it all together.<ref>. January 31, 2006. 1UP.com. Retrieved August 7, 2006.</ref> | |||
| ==Development== | |||
| In April 2006, Broussard demonstrated samples of the game, including an early level, a vehicle sequence, and a few test rooms.<ref>Carless, Simon. . Gamesutra. April 12, 2006</ref> One notable<ref>Siegler, Joe . 3D Realms. March 29, 2006.</ref> demonstration, according to the May 2006 issue<ref>Yatta . Duke4.net. March 30, 2006.</ref> of ] featured the interactive use of an ] computer to send actual e-mails.<ref>. Computer Games Magazine, May 2006.</ref> | |||
| {{main|Development of Duke Nukem Forever}} | |||
| === Announcement === | |||
| On March 21, 2006, 3D Realms CEO Scott Miller talked of a sequel by stating, "of course as soon as Duke is done we'll begin a new one."<ref></ref> | |||
| In 1996, 3D Realms released '']''. Set apart from other first-person shooter games by its adult humor and interactive world, it received acclaim and sold around 3.5 million copies.<ref name="Thompson-2009">{{Cite magazine |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=1 December 2009 |title=Learn to let go: how success killed Duke Nukem |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/fail-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |magazine=] |language=en-US |volume=18 |issue=1 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The 3D Realms co-founder ] announced the sequel, ''Duke Nukem Forever'', on April 27, 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-08-09 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Had More Advanced Graphics Until It Launched, Modders Discover |url=https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815203114/https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which he expected to be released by Christmas 1998. It was widely anticipated.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> The 3D Realms co-founder ] said the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise would last for decades across many iterations, like '']'' or '']''.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> Broussard and Miller funded ''Duke Nukem Forever'' using the profits from ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and other games. They gave the marketing and publishing rights to ], taking only a $400,000 advance.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> 3D Realms also began developing a 2D version of ''Duke Nukem'' ''Forever,'' which was canceled due to the rising popularity of 3D games.<ref name="atdec27">{{cite web |author=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Leaker posts an early, canceled 2D version of the infamous ''Duke Nukem Forever'' |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |accessdate=December 27, 2022 |work=] |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227183119/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| === Engine changes and delays === | |||
| In June, in a filing with the ], Take-Two revealed that they had renegotiated the deal and will receive $4.25 million instead of $6 million upon the release of the game.<ref>. Quarterly report ending April 30, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2006.</ref> The filing also revealed that Take-Two was offering a $500,000 bonus if ''DNF'' was commercially released by December 31, 2006.<ref>Thorsen, Tor. . June 9, 2006. GameSpot.</ref> However, Broussard denied the rumors that ''DNF'' would be released, saying that 3D Realms never cared for or asked for the bonus. He stated that he would "never ship a game early."<ref>Thorson, Tor. . June 13, 2006. GameSpot.</ref> | |||
| Rather than create a new ], 3D Realms began development using ]'s ].<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> They demonstrated the first ''Duke Nukem Forever'' trailer at the ] convention in May 1998. Critics were impressed by its cinematic presentation and action scenes, with combat on a moving truck.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> According to staff, Broussard became obsessed with incorporating new technology and features from competing games and could not bear for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' to be perceived as outdated.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> Weeks after E3, he announced that 3D Realms had switched to ], a new engine with better rendering capabilities for large spaces, requiring a reboot of the project.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In 1999, they switched engines again, to a newer version of Unreal Engine.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> | |||
| By 2000, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was still far from complete. A developer who joined that year described it as a series of chaotic ], and the staff felt that Broussard had no fixed idea of what the final game would be.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> As the success of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' meant that 3D Realms did not require external funding, they lacked deadlines or financial pressure that could have driven the project. Broussard became defiant in response to questions from fans and journalists, saying it would be released "when it's done".<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In December 2000, the rights to publish ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were purchased by ], which hoped to release it the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2000-12-06 |title=Duke Nukem Eventually |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612110332/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2001, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was being cited as a high-profile case of ], and '']'' gave it the "vaporware of the year" award.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=4 June 2011 |title=Duke Nukem ends 12-year reign as vaporware king |language=en-US |magazine=] |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/06/duke-nukem-vaporware/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> | |||
| On August 30, 2006, ] reported that several key employees had left 3D Realms.<ref>Remo, Chris. . Shacknews. August 30, 2006.</ref> They speculated that the departures would lead to further delays for ''DNF''. However, 3D Realms strongly denied these claims, stating that the employees had left over a number of months and that the game was still moving ahead.<ref>Thorson, Tor. . GameSpot. August 31, 2006.</ref> | |||
| At E3 2001, 3D Realms released another trailer, the first public view of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' in three years. It received a positive response, and the team was elated, feeling that they were ahead of their competitors. However, Broussard still failed to present a vision for a final product. One employee felt that Miller and Broussard were developing "with a 1995 mentality", with a team much smaller than other major games of the time. By 2003, only 18 people were working on ''Duke Nukem Forever'' full time.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In a 2006 presentation, Broussard told a journalist the team had "fucked up" and had restarted development.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> By August 2006, around half the team had left, frustrated by the lack of progress.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> | |||
| On March 20, 2007, ] explained in an interview with YouGamers that they were still using the Unreal Engine, albeit a heavily modified version at this point.<ref name="yougamers"> </ref> | |||
| According to Miller, the Canadian studio ] was willing to take over the project in 2004, but the proposal was rejected by others at 3D Realms. Miller later described this as a "fatal suicide shot".<ref name="Wilde-2022">{{Cite news |author1=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2022-05-11 |title=Former 3D Realms owners clash over Duke Nukem Forever blame |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/former-3d-realms-owners-blame-each-other-for-losing-duke-nukem-forever/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511163144/https://www.pcgamer.com/former-3d-realms-owners-blame-each-other-for-losing-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, 3D Realms hired Raphael van Lierop as the new creative director. He was impressed by the game and felt it could be finished within a year, but Broussard disagreed.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> 3D Realms hired aggressively to expand the team to about 35 people. Brian Hook, the new creative lead, became the first employee to push back against Broussard.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> | |||
| === 2007–2009 === | |||
| === Layoffs and Gearbox takeover === | |||
| ] | |||
| In 2009, with 3D Realms having exhausted its capital, Miller and Broussard asked Take-Two for $6 million to finish the game.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> After no agreement was reached, Broussard and Miller laid off the team and ceased development.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> A small team of ex-employees, which later became Triptych Games, continued development from their homes.<ref>{{cite web|last=e |title=Show 373: Another one without Major Nelson |url=http://majornelson.com/2010/10/12/show-373-another-one-without-major-nelson/ |work=Major Nelson Podcast |access-date=January 11, 2013 |date=October 12, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116171916/http://majornelson.com/2010/10/12/show-373-another-one-without-major-nelson/ |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }}</ref> | |||
| On January 25, 2007 and May 22, 2007, George Broussard posted two ] job ads with small (200x125 ]) screenshots of Duke Nukem holding two guns and an enemy (mutated pig). Broussard later confirmed that these were real in-game screenshots.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sinclair, Brendan|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164892.html|title="Duke Nukem Forever resurfaces"|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Broussard, George|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26857l|title=" Programmer ad"|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-05-22}}</ref> | |||
| In September 2010, ] announced that it had bought the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property from 3D Realms and would continue development of ''Duke Nukem Forever.''<ref name="GameSpot-2010">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2010 |title=Gearbox acquires ''Duke Nukem'' IP |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip/1100-6275307/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205115531/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip/1100-6275307/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Gearbox team included several members of the 3D Realms team, but not Broussard.<ref name="GameSpot-2010" /> On May 24, 2011, Gearbox announced that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' had "]" after 15 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=2011-05-24 |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' goes gold |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-24-duke-nukem-forever-goes-gold |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227125831/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-24-duke-nukem-forever-goes-gold |url-status=live }}</ref> It holds the ] for the longest development for a video game, at 14 years and 44 days,<ref>{{cite web |title=Longest development period for a videogame |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-protracted-game-development |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=] |date=June 10, 2011 |archive-date=May 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506041248/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-protracted-game-development |url-status=live }}</ref> <!--ABOUT GUINNESS: This is not the same Guinness world record as the one held by Clockwork Aquario, which was not in continuous development. As of September 2024, Guinness has not updated its record — so DNF still holds the Guinness world record, despite other games exceeding this period-->though this period was exceeded in 2022 by '']'' and in 2024 by ''Kien''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolens |first=Joshua |date=2022-10-03 |title=''Beyond Good and Evil 2'' has broken ''Duke Nukem Forever'''s record for longest game development time |language=en |work=] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-good-and-evil-2-has-broken-duke-nukem-forevers-record-for-longest-game-development-time/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004183755/https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-good-and-evil-2-has-broken-duke-nukem-forevers-record-for-longest-game-development-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2024-07-04 |title=Kien, the most-delayed video game in history, released after 22 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/04/kein-the-most-delayed-video-game-in-history-released-after-22-years |access-date=2024-09-09 |work=] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | |||
| In July 2007, ] released two new, low-res screenshots, one of which appears to be a previously unseen shot of an in-game level, the other being the front shot of Duke seen in the first 2007 screen, but from a slightly different angle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27262|title=New DNF Screenshot in Game Informer|accessdate=2007-07-14}}</ref> | |||
| In 2022, Miller released a blog post on the Apogee website about 3D Realms' failure to complete ''Duke Nukem Forever''. He attributed it to understaffing, repeated engine changes and a lack of planning.<ref name="Wilde-2022" /> On ], Broussard responded that Miller's claims were "nonsense", described him as manipulative and narcissistic, and accused him of blaming others. He blamed Miller for the loss of 3D Realms and the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property.<ref name="Wilde-2022" /> | |||
| A new video was released<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29639|title=New DNF Trailer. Official Forums|accessdate=2007-12-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50457|title=New DNF Trailer. Shacknews|accessdate=2007-12-18}}</ref> on December 19, 2007 claimed to be made by employees of 3D Realms during their spare time to show at the annual Christmas party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29639|title=Teaser Video Coming 3D Realms forums|accessdate=2007-12-19}}</ref> The announcement had also confirmed earlier speculation that composer ] ('']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'') had joined the team. ] made clear that the video was a ], rather than a ]. He noted that all other media related to Duke Nukem Forever was no longer relevant, including the trailer released in 2001. Broussard also confirmed that the video was shot real-time from the game, with the exception of some introduction and ending shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29639&page=8#316|title=New DNF Trailer. Official Forums|accessdate=2007-12-19}}</ref> | |||
| ==Marketing and release== | |||
| 3D Realms had made it clear there was no set release date for the game and any shops claiming to have "insider" information were lying.<ref name="wid">"". 3D Realms. Retrieved March 31, 2008.</ref> | |||
| The ''Duke Nukem Forever'' launch trailer was released on June 2, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Conrad |date=2011-06-02 |title=Against all odds, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has a launch trailer |url=https://www.destructoid.com/against-all-odds-duke-nukem-forever-has-a-launch-trailer/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=] |language=en-CA |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226154818/https://www.destructoid.com/against-all-odds-duke-nukem-forever-has-a-launch-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A playable demo was released on June 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris |first=Pereira |title=Duke Nukem Forever Demo Coming on June 3 |url=http://www.1up.com/news/duke-nukem-forever-demo-coming-june-3 |publisher=1up.com |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060141/http://www.1up.com/news/duke-nukem-forever-demo-coming-june-3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was released in a special "Balls of Steel" edition, with items including a five-inch bust of Duke Nukem, a 100-page artbook, a comic, stickers and poker chips.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107714-2K-Announces-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Balls-of-Steel-Edition |title=2K Announces Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel Edition |author=Andy Chalk |date=February 12, 2011 |publisher=The Escapist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214084437/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107714-2K-Announces-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Balls-of-Steel-Edition |archive-date=February 14, 2011 }}</ref> Themes and avatars were also sold for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2kgames.com/blog/deck-out-your-360-and-ps3-with-duke-nukem-forever-goodness |title=Deck out your 360 and PS3 with Duke Nukem Forever Goodness |author=Elizabeth Tobey |publisher=2K Games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309012343/http://www.2kgames.com/blog/deck-out-your-360-and-ps3-with-duke-nukem-forever-goodness |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
| 2K Games launched a website titled "Boob Tube" to promote the game. On May 19, 2011, a ] was released on the website, ''Duke Nudem,'' whereby players shoot targets against a woman. If successful, her clothing is removed until she is topless.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5803009/shoot-targets-to-get-duke-nukem-girls-topless |title=Shoot Targets to Get Duke Nukem Girls Topless |publisher=Kotaku |date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519232938/http://kotaku.com/5803009/shoot-targets-to-get-duke-nukem-girls-topless |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref> 2K released a ''Duke Nukem Forever'' ] for ], including a number of Duke Nukem's phrases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5806336/duke-nukem-had-eggs-for-breakfast-your-mom-had-sausage |title=Duke Nukem Had Eggs For Breakfast, Your Mom Had Sausage |publisher=Kotaku |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=May 27, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805083338/http://kotaku.com/5806336/duke-nukem-had-eggs-for-breakfast-your-mom-had-sausage |archive-date=August 5, 2011 }}</ref> ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was made available a day early on June 9 from all retailers after the ] was broken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-breaks-street-date/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever Breaks Street Date |publisher=Kotaku |date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112957/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-breaks-street-date/ |archive-date=June 12, 2011 }}</ref> It was released in Japan on March 29, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=13年＋α！ 『デューク ニューケム フォーエバー』が3月29日に発売延期 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201202/15010015.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105224132/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201202/15010015.html |archivedate=January 5, 2015 |website=ファミ通.com}}</ref> | |||
| Miller "confirmed" a 2008 release date in an email sent to the Dallas Business Journal on February 6, 2008, although this was reportedly "]", and as such, no official release date has yet been given to the public. Broussard later denounced the statement.<ref>{{cite web|last=Faylor |first=Chris |url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/51163 |title=3D Realms Disputes 'Confirmed' Reports of Duke Nukem Forever on PC and Consoles This Year |publisher=Shacknews |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> It was suggested that the developers were pushing for a late-2008 release, but it was also stated that they "would probably miss it by a few months," leading to speculation that a 2009 release date would be the most accurate presumption.<ref>{{cite web|author=Webster, Stephen C|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2008/02/04/daily17.html|title='Duke Nukem Forever' release possible in 2008, coming to home consoles|publisher=|accessdate=2008-11-29}}</ref> A small screenshot of an enemy character was displayed alongside one of Dallas Business Journal's articles on the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.duke4.net/comment.php?comment.news.172|title=DNF Thumb Causes Sexplosion in Fans Worldwide|accessdate=2008-02-15}}</ref> | |||
| ==Downloadable content== | |||
| On June 5, 2008, in-game footage of the game was featured on the premiere episode of . Filmed entirely on hand-held cameras but not originally expected to be publicly released,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=17125966|title=New Duke Nukem Forever Footage Released|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref> the video showed host ] playing through parts of a single level<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=707889&postcount=791|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref> on a PC at 3D Realms' offices. The footage was confirmed to have been shot 6 months prior<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=708402&postcount=1180|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread|accessdate=2008-06-05}}</ref> to the episode air date and according to Broussard, contained outdated particle and combat effects that had since been replaced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=708759&postcount=1361|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread|accessdate=2008-06-06}}</ref> | |||
| ===''Duke's Big Package''=== | |||
| Another job ad update for "Level Designers or Programmers" appeared on June 20, 2008 at ] featuring a ]-sized, in-game screenshot of Duke Nukem Forever. It depicted an updated model of Duke Nukem wielding a pistol and pipebomb in his hands, posed within a daylight outdoor environment. The job ad was later carried on the 3D Realms website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3drealms.com/news/2008/06/help_wanted.html|title=Help Wanted!|accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> | |||
| In North America, the video game retailer ] promised exclusive in-game content for customers pre-ordering ''Duke Nukem Forever''. The exclusive content, known as "Duke's Big Package", allowed the player from the start of the game to access "Big Heads", the "Ego Boost", and custom in-game T-shirts. A code printed on the final receipt could, at the time of release, be activated over Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/pdf/dukepc.pdf |title=Dukes Big Package |publisher=GameStop |date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626013113/http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/pdf/dukepc.pdf |archive-date=June 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/ |title=Code Redemption Instructions |publisher=GameStop |date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610064827/http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/ |archive-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| ===''Hail to the Icons Parody Pack''=== | |||
| Duke Nukem Forever was also absent from 2008's ]. Prior to the event, Scott Miller, the CEO of ], described E3 as "irrelevant."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/06/3d-realms-we-vi/ | |||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever: Hail to the Icons Parody Pack'' contains three new game modes, and four new multiplayer maps, each with new weapons. It is available on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Steam. It was released on October 11, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5848663/oh-good-the-duke-nukem-forever-dlc-is-here/ |title=Oh Good, the Duke Nukem Forever DLC is Here |author=Mike Fahey |publisher=] |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323134520/http://kotaku.com/5848663/oh-good-the-duke-nukem-forever-dlc-is-here/ |archive-date=March 23, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
| | title=Duke Nukem Forever Devs: E3 is 'Irrelevant' |author=Earnest Cavalli |publisher='']'' |date=2008-06-30 |accessdate=2008-09-18}}</ref> | |||
| ===''The Doctor Who Cloned Me''=== | |||
| Two unlockable screenshots were included with the September 24, 2008 release of ] on the ]. Located in the game's art gallery upon earning all of Duke Nukem 3D's achievements, one ''DNF'' screenshot featured a first person view of Duke reloading his pistol, while facing an Octabrain, with another in the distance, in a Dam. The other screenshot depicted a frontal close-up of Duke in a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54940|title=New Duke Nukem Forever Screenshots Released|accessdate=2008-09-26}}</ref> | |||
| A new single-player campaign, ''The Doctor Who Cloned Me'', was released on December 13, 2011.<ref name="Charles Onyett-2011" /> It sees the return of Duke's nemesis from the original ''Duke Nukem'' game, Dr. Proton,<ref>{{cite web|last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=Also: Dukem Nukem DLC On Tuesday |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |date=December 10, 2011 |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/10/also-dukem-nukem-dlc-on-tuesday/ |access-date=December 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107054027/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/10/also-dukem-nukem-dlc-on-tuesday/ |archive-date=January 7, 2012 }}</ref> and adds new weapons, enemies, bosses and multiplayer maps.<ref name="Charles Onyett-2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/09/duke-nukem-forever-single-player-dlc-incoming |title=Duke Nukem Forever Single-Player DLC Incoming |author=Charles Onyett |publisher=] |date=December 9, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323134433/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/09/duke-nukem-forever-single-player-dlc-incoming |archive-date=March 23, 2014 }}</ref> It holds a score of 52/100 on ] for PC<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me PC on Metacritic |publisher=] |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008142336/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me |archive-date=October 8, 2017 }}</ref> and 58/100 for Xbox 360.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me for Xbox 360 on Metacritic |publisher=] |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203205229/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me |archive-date=December 3, 2017 }}</ref> '']'' rated it a 1.5/5,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-doctor-who-cloned-me/1215076p1.html |title=DNF: The Doctor Who Cloned Me Review |author=Dan Stapleton |publisher=] |date=December 18, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323134615/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/the-doctor-who-cloned-me/1215076p1.html |archive-date=March 23, 2014 }}</ref> ] rated it 4/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/duke-nukem-forever-doctor-who-cloned-me-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me review |author=Ryan Mccaffrey |publisher=] |date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323121309/http://www.oxmonline.com/duke-nukem-forever-doctor-who-cloned-me-review |archive-date=March 23, 2014 }}</ref> and '']'' rated it 5/10, writing: "Duke's trying his best, but there's still too much of the past hanging around and holding him back."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-20-duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Doctor Who Cloned Me Review |author=Christian Donlan |publisher=] |date=December 20, 2011 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323121802/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-20-duke-nukem-forever-the-doctor-who-cloned-me-review |archive-date=March 23, 2014 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| On December 18, 2008 a wallpaper image of several Duke Nukem Forever enemies was released by 3D Realms as a Christmas present to fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3drealms.com/news/2008/12/merry_christmas_from_3dr.html|title=Merry Christmas from 3D Realms|accessdate=2008-12-18}}</ref> The picture, with lighting and models all from an in-game shot,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=18740262#itemanchor_18740262|title=Morning Discussion|accessdate=2008-12-18}}</ref> featured six different enemy creatures including two larger boss-like characters. Interactive details were revealed at this time in a comment by George Broussard, who stated that the depicted ''armor'' is bolted on enemy characters that wear it and could be blasted off with guns.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=18740469#itemanchor_18740469|title=Morning Discussion|accessdate=2008-12-18}}</ref> A similar but partial image was earlier revealed as a Christmas gift wrapping in a ] update by George Broussard, taken at 3D Realms' annual Christmas party gift exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitpic.com/sp7x|title=Couple of interesting wrappings.|accessdate=2008-12-14}}</ref> | |||
| ===Critical reception=== | |||
| On January 12, 2009 George Broussard posted on his Twitter account "Game developers often say 'Cutting is shipping'. We begin this year with a vengeance and a chainsaw."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/georgeb3dr/status/1113846468|title=Cutting is shipping 2009 comment|accessdate=2009-01-21}}</ref> This added speculation and a strengthened impression, particularly within the 3D Realms forums, that the game would be released in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pcgametech.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/duke-nukem-forever-shipping-in-2009/|title=Duke Nukem Forever shipping in 2009?|accessdate=2009-]}}</ref> On February 11, 2009, he also posted a photo of a bug list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/georgeb3dr/status/1200812416 |title=Twitter / George Broussard: A peek inside our task dat |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> On 15 April 2009, Broussard posted on his Twitter account that they had reached an important milestone; "71 more tasks to do and we started with probably 800-900."<ref> ClanBase. Retrieved April 15, 2009.</ref> | |||
| {{Video game reviews | |||
| <!-- If changing this header, please also update the Subsection Wikilink in the "Release" section of the infobox. --> | |||
| | MC = (PC) 54/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Duke Nukem Forever for PC Reviews |publisher=] |access-date=May 19, 2022 |archive-date=June 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618133913/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/duke-nukem-forever |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(PS3) 51/100<ref name="MCPS3">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Duke Nukem Forever for PlayStation 3 Reviews |publisher=] |access-date=June 20, 2011 |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617083630/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/duke-nukem-forever |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(X360) 49/100<ref name="MCX360">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Duke Nukem Forever for Xbox 360 Reviews |publisher=] |access-date=June 20, 2011 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143021/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| | 1UP = F<ref name=1up-review>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever Review for PC, 360, PS3 from 1UP.com |work=] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203143744/http://www.1up.com/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> | |||
| | Destruct = 2/10<ref name=destructoidreview>{{cite news|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-duke-nukem-forever-203658.phtml |title=Review: ''Duke Nukem Forever'' |author=] |newspaper=] |date=13 June 2011 |access-date=13 July 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709224343/http://www.destructoid.com/review-duke-nukem-forever-203658.phtml |archive-date=July 9, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | Edge = 3/10<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever review – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |access-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718021108/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | EuroG = 3/10<ref name="EG">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-12-duke-nukem-forever-review?page=3#justposted |title=Duke Nukem Forever |publisher=] |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615041244/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-12-duke-nukem-forever-review?page=3 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | GI = 6.75/10<ref name="gameinformerreview">{{cite web|last=Reiner |first=Andrew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/duke_nukem_forever/b/ps3/archive/2011/06/14/12-years-in-the-making.aspx |title=Duke Nukem Forever review: 12 Years In The Making.. |publisher=] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618012315/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/duke_nukem_forever/b/ps3/archive/2011/06/14/12-years-in-the-making.aspx |archive-date=June 18, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | GamePro = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="gamepro">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220392/review-duke-nukem-forever-360-ps3/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever Review from |publisher=GamePro |access-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202203722/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220392/review-duke-nukem-forever-360-ps3/ |archive-date=December 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | |||
| | GameRev = D+<ref name=GRevolutionReview/> | |||
| | GSpot = (PC) 3.5/10<ref name="GSPC">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/duke-nukem-forever/index.html?tag=topten%3Ball%3B1 |title=Duke Nukem Forever (PC) reviews at |publisher=] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2011 |archive-date=February 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215083227/http://www.gamespot.com/duke-nukem-forever/platform/pc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(X360) 3/10<ref name="GSX360">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/duke-nukem-forever/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Duke Nukem Forever (Xbox 360) reviews at |publisher=] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613143021/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever |archive-date=June 13, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | GSpy = {{rating|2.5|5}}<ref name=GSpyReview/> | |||
| | GRadar = 6/10<ref name="gamesradarreview">{{cite web |last=Reparez |first=Mikel |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/duke-nukem-forever/review/duke-nukem-forever-review/a-20110613195512526064/g-20100903112053378011 |title=Duke Nukem Forever review |publisher=] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2011 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014091043/http://www.gamesradar.com/duke-nukem-forever-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| | GT = 5.4/10<ref name=GT-review>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-duke-nukem/716476 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Review HD |work=] |date=June 16, 2011 |access-date=June 16, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618123430/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-hd-duke-nukem/716476 |archive-date=June 18, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | IGN = 5.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1175639p1.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever |publisher=IGN |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615005045/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1175639p1.html |archive-date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | Joystiq = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="joystiq-nelson review">{{cite web|last=Nelson |first=Randy |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/duke-nukem-forever-review-fail-to-the-king-baby/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever review: Fail to the King, Baby |publisher=Joystiq |date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613012714/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/10/duke-nukem-forever-review-fail-to-the-king-baby/ |archive-date=June 13, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | PALGN = 5/10<ref name="PALGN">{{cite web|url=http://palgn.com.au/19171/duke-nukem-forever-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever |website=PALGN |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612062441/http://palgn.com.au/19171/duke-nukem-forever-review/ |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> | |||
| | PCGUS = 80/100<ref name="PCG">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/06/10/duke-nukem-forever-review/3/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever |magazine=] |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613133009/http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/06/10/duke-nukem-forever-review/3 |archive-date=June 13, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| | XPlay = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref name=xplay>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/43893/duke-nukem-forever/review/ |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' Review |author=Jason D'Aprile |publisher=] |date=21 June 2011 |access-date=20 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102061234/http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/43893/duke-nukem-forever/review/ |archive-date=January 2, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
| }} | |||
| On the review aggregation site ], ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has a range score between 49–54/100, indicating "mixed or average reviews" on the PC and PlayStation 3 versions and "generally negative reviews" on the Xbox 360 version.<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS3"/><ref name="MCX360"/> Criticism focused on the long loading times, clunky controls, offensive humor and dated design. The critics Elton Jones of ],''<ref name="destructoidreview" />'' ] of ''Destructoid''<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721145013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_X2tYMO40 |date=July 21, 2016 }}. YouTube (2012-06-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-31.</ref> and ], creator of '']'', named it among the worst games of the year.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405032631/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/5207-Top-5-of-2011 |date=April 5, 2015 }}. Escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-31.</ref> | |||
| === DNF team fired and 3D Realms downsized - May 2009 === | |||
| {{Out of date|date=June 2009}} | |||
| 3D Realms laid off the ''DNF'' staff on May 8, 2009 due to lack of funding, but inside sources claim it will still operate as a smaller company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=35716 |title=3DR "smaller studio now," "will continue to operate as a company" |publisher=Forums.3drealms.com |date=2009-05-18 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref><ref name="official_release">{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5259942/3d-realms-were-not-closing-spent-20-million-on-duke-nukem-forever | title = 3D Realms: We're Not Closing, Spent $20 Million On Duke Nukem Forever | first = Stephen | last = Totilo | date = 2009-05-18 | accessdate = 2009-05-18 | publisher = ]}}</ref> Publisher Take-Two Interactive, in response, stated that they still hold the publishing rights for ''Duke Nukem Forever'', but they were not funding the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8037688.stm |title=Technology | Duke Nukem developer goes bust |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-05-07 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> | |||
| Many critics disliked the level design and shooting. Kevin VanOrd of '']'' felt that the "joy" of the ''Duke Nukem 3D'' combat had been "flattened", with "little sense of impact", and found the design tedious. He called ''Duke Nukem Forever'' a "bad, boring, bargain bin kind of game".<ref name="GSPC"/> '']'' wrote that the locations lacked the "exploration and excitement that made ''Duke 3D'' such a memorable experience", and that the levels were too linear, with "huge chunks of the game are spent simply walking from one fight to another through uninspired corridors".<ref name="EG"/> '']'' felt the shooting was "simple fun", but criticized the platforming sequences, which "make up an unnecessarily large percentage of the story mode".<ref name="IGN"/> '']'' concluded that the "world-record development time has produced an ugly, buggy shooter that veers back and forth between enjoyably average and outright boring, with occasional surges of greatness along the way".<ref name="gamesradarreview"/> '']'' felt that "unexpected moments ... are really the game's biggest strengths. But they're few and far between."<ref name="gamepro" /> | |||
| On May 7 and May 8, 2009, unreleased screenshots, concept art, pictures of models from the game and a from 3D Realms were posted by alleged former employees. Similar leaks occurred on May 9, 10, 11, and 12.<ref name="misc_link_1">{{cite web | url = http://talkinrealatyou.blogspot.com/ | title = http://talkinrealatyou.blogspot.com/ | publisher = ''Unknown''}}</ref><ref name="misc_link_2">{{cite web | url = http://www.squidcakes.blogspot.com/ | title = http://www.squidcakes.blogspot.com/ | publisher = ''Unknown''}}</ref> On May 9, 2009, an unofficial Duke Nukem Forever gameplay video was leaked by a user of the Duke4.net forums. According to the user, the video was to serve as a demo reel for animator Bryan Brewer (who had been working on the game with 3D Realms), and Brewer had been waiting for approval from George Broussard, former co-owner of 3D Realms, at the time of the leak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.duke4.net/index.php?showtopic=814 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Media |publisher=Duke4.net |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> On May 10, 2009 a second demo reel showing some Duke Nukem Forever animation was also released. The same user of the Duke4.net forums later proceeded to release 28 screenshots and documents outlining the plot of the game. The 28 screenshots were taken from an employee's portfolio that was on ]. | |||
| Many reviewers questioned the design choices in comparison to ''Duke Nukem 3D'', with '']'' writing: "Old-school shooters, and this is definitely trying to be one of those with its basic AI and lack of cover mechanics, always had two great things going for them: speed and a ridiculous arsenal of weapons... ''Forever'' eschews this in favour of a plodding pace and two guns."<ref name="Plunkett-2011">{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=June 21, 2011 |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Kotaku Review |url=http://kotaku.com/5813461/duke-nukem-forever-the-kotaku-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623063418/http://kotaku.com/5813461/duke-nukem-forever-the-kotaku-review |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2011 |website=] |publisher=}}</ref> '']'' agreed: "Having been almost cryo-frozen for more than a decade, then awoken and peppered with modern touches, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' feels so out of place."<ref>{{cite web|author=Duke Nukem Forever Review |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8949-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Review.3 |title=The Escapist : Duke Nukem Forever Review |publisher=Escapistmagazine.com |date=June 13, 2011 |access-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704114709/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8949-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Review.3 |archive-date=July 4, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| Since then, ] and ] journalists began speculating that the news of 3D Realms's apparent closure may actually be an elaborate viral marketing stunt.<ref>{{cite web|author=Posted May 12, 2009 - By Stephen Johnson |url=http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/695479/Is-The-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Cancellation-A-Huge-Publicity-Stunt.html |title=Is The 'Duke Nukem Forever' Cancellation A Huge Publicity Stunt? |publisher=G4tv.com |date=2009-05-12 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/47009/Saved-Duke-Nukem-Dot-Com |title=Saved Duke Nukem Dot Com? |publisher=Ve3d.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> However, the real status of the company and the layoffs were confirmed by 3D Realms in a statement released on May 18, 2009.<ref name="official_release" /> | |||
| Another common criticism was with the game's lack of technical sophistication, including inconsistent graphics and unacceptably long loading times, which '']'' called "unholy";<ref name=GT-review/> Eric Neigher of '']'' found the console versions took up to 40 seconds to load a level.<ref name=GSpyReview/> Neigher also criticized the game's multiplayer mode as unplayable without serious ] spikes.<ref name=GSpyReview>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever/1176383p1.html |title=Say it ain't so, Duke. Say it ain't so. |author=Eric Neigher |publisher=] |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219100035/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever/1176383p1.html |archive-date=December 19, 2014 }}</ref> '']'' wrote that "the myriad technical shortcomings – particularly prevalent on the console ports – only get worse the further you progress into the campaign",<ref name="edgereview"/> a view echoed by '']'': "when they started on the design, that tech was already outdated".<ref name=GRevolutionReview>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/duke-nukem-forever |title=This took 14 years? Seriously? |author=KevinS |publisher=] |date=21 June 2011 |access-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924174839/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/duke-nukem-forever |archive-date=September 24, 2015 }}</ref> The PC version has since been patched to greatly decrease loading times and to add two optional inventory slots.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} | |||
| On May 14, 2009, Take-Two filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms—known by its legal name in the case, Apogee Software Ltd—over their failure to complete ''Duke Nukem Forever'', citing that they paid $12 million to ] in 2000 to acquire the publishing rights.<ref name="Take-Two Sues Duke Nukem Forever Devs Over Failure To Deliver"/> 3D Realms argues, however, that they never received that money, as it was a direct agreement between Infogrames and Take-Two.<ref>. Kotaku. Retrieved May 16, 2009.</ref> The lawsuit seems to be over a contractual breach, but not regarding the $12 million mentioned above.<ref name="lawsuit">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58642 | title = Take-Two Sues 3D Realms for Failing to Deliver Duke Nukem Forever (Updated) | first = Nick | last = Breckon | date = 2009-05-14 | accessdate = 2009-05-16 | publisher = ]}}</ref> Take-Two has asked for a restraining order and a preliminary injunction, to make 3D Realms keep the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' assets intact during proceedings.<ref name="lawsuit2">{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58651 | title = Take-Two v. 3D Realms Court Documents Materialize, 3DR's Scott Miller Responds | first = Nick | last = Breckon | date = 2009-05-15 | accessdate = 2009-05-16 | publisher = ]}}</ref> The court denied Take-Two's request for a temporary restraining order.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/20090518_dnf_3dr_.x |title=http://www.shacknews.com/docs/press/20090518_dnf_3dr_.x |publisher=Shacknews |date=2009-05-18 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/48496/3DR-Spent-20m-On-DNF-Denies-Allegations-Reveals-New-Duke-Game |title=3DR Spent $20m On DNF; Denies Allegations; Reveals New Duke Game |publisher=Ve3d.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> | |||
| The use of the series' trademark humor received a mixed response. In one regard, some critics such as '']'' praised the voice work of ], who did an "excellent job as always with Duke's persona",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1922/Duke-Nukem-Forever/p1 |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' Review (Xbox 360) |author=Sparky |publisher=] |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=30 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620180948/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1922/Duke-Nukem-Forever/p1 |archive-date=June 20, 2011 }}</ref> while others such as ]<ref name=machinima>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oIUnSyYMM |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' Review |author=Rob Smith |publisher=] |date=20 June 2011 |access-date=30 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316103135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-oIUnSyYMM |archive-date=March 16, 2016 }}</ref> appreciated the comedic gameplay tips and pop culture references. However, the same critic also noted that "parts of the narrative and dialogue show clear evidence of the game's elongated development. Many pop culture references refer to media in the early 2000s, with one-liners co-opted from 'guy' movies like ''Old School'', ''Highlander'', and ''Commando'', which in itself could cause blank stares from most of the current potential audience."<ref name=machinima/> The Australian website ''PALGN'' felt the game was "saved only by its humor and nostalgic value".<ref name="PALGN" /> | |||
| As the court documents surfaced, it was also revealed that in 2007, ] started working on a new Duke Nukem-related project, codenamed "Duke Begins", slated to be finished by mid-2010. Development was halted in the April of 2009, without the consent of Apogee—in their counterclaim, Apogee claimed that "Take-Two and 2K Games are taking such actions with a goal of pressuring Apogee to sell the Duke Nukem franchise rights to Take-Two for less than their true value."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2009/06/22/court-filing-2kgames-developing-quotduke-beginsquot |title=Court Filing: 2KGames Developing "Duke Begins" |publisher=GamePolitics |date= |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story-12037-Apogee-Files-CounterSuit-Against-Take-Two.html |title=GDN: Apogee Files Counter-Suit Against Take Two |publisher=Gamersdailynews.com |date=2009-06-22 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> | |||
| Several critics objected to the depiction of women; '']'' described it as "creepy" and hateful.<ref name="xplay" /> '']'' wrote that the multiplayer mode "Capture the Babe", which involves ] women, "really is as painful as it sounds".<ref name="joystiq-nelson review" /> The hive level, in which Duke encounters abducted women who have been forcibly impregnated with aliens, attracted particular criticism. The level and its inclusion of disembodied "wall boobs", which the player can slap, were listed in GamesRadar's "8 worst moments in ''Duke Nukem Forever''".<ref>{{cite web |last=Reparaz |first=Mikel |date=June 21, 2011 |title=The 8 worst moments in Duke Nukem Forever |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/the-8-worst-moments-in-duke-nukem-forever/?page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014091142/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-8-worst-moments-in-duke-nukem-forever/?page=2 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2011}}</ref> Croshaw found that the level was "as jarring a shift of tone as you can get without splicing five minutes of '']'' into the middle of '']''".<ref>{{cite web |last=Croshaw |first=Ben |date=June 22, 2011 |title=Zero Punctuation: Duke Nukem Forever (for real this time) |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/3581-Duke-Nukem-Forever-for-real-this-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902045751/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/3581-Duke-Nukem-Forever-for-real-this-time |archive-date=September 2, 2011 |access-date=September 6, 2011 |work=The Escapist |format=Video}}</ref> ''Destructoid'' wrote: "Duke does not come across as cool, witty or likeable in the least. He comes across as a vile, callous, thoroughly detestable psychopath ... According to Gearbox, seeing women tortured was funny enough."<ref name="destructoidreview" /> '']'' UK thought that the humor was not "so much offensive or misogynistic as just suffering from an adolescent fixation with boobs and crowbarred-in innuendo".{{Cn|date=June 2022}} The ] of the Year Wiki named ''Duke Nukem Forever'' one of the worst games of 2012.{{efn|''Duke Nukem Forever'' released in 2012 in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surprise: Japan doesn't like Duke Nukem Forever either – Destructoid |url=https://www.destructoid.com/surprise-japan-doesnt-like-duke-nukem-forever-either/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Destructoid |date=April 11, 2013 |language=en-us |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064404/https://www.destructoid.com/surprise-japan-doesnt-like-duke-nukem-forever-either/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japanese Gamers' Worst Game of 2012 Is... |url=https://kotaku.com/heres-japanese-gamers-worst-game-of-2012-472389737 |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Kotaku |date=April 11, 2013 |language=en-us |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064404/https://kotaku.com/heres-japanese-gamers-worst-game-of-2012-472389737 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| In June of 2009, Apogee court filings stated " admits that it has continually worked on the development of the DNF for many years, and continues to do so" as well as revealing that development halted on 'Duke Begins'.<ref>"" Shack News. Retrieved January 10th, 2010</ref> In December 2009, Apogee CEO Scott Miller clarified that "we've never said that Duke Nukem Forever has ceased development," explaining "yes, we released the internal team, but that doesn't correlate to the demise of the project."<ref>"" Shack News. Retrieved January 10th, 2010</ref> According to a recent interview with magazine Gamesauce, "3D Realms has laid off the game's internal development team, but still plans to most likely work with external development studios to develop the game."<ref>" The Escapist. Retrieved January 10th, 2010</ref> | |||
| Critics cited the long development time as a factor in the finished product. In a positive review '']'' noted that "years of anticipation will spoil ''Duke Nukem Forever'' for some", adding, "There’s no reinvention of the genre here, no real attempt at grandeur... Check unrealistic expectations at the door and forget the ancient, hyperbolic promises of self-deluded developers", and concluded, "Don’t expect a miracle. Duke is still the hero we love, but struggles to keep up with modern times."<ref name="PCG" /> '']'', while disappointed in the game, concluded: "I'm glad Gearbox stepped up and finished this game, but after hearing about it for 12 years, I have no desire to relive any of it again. I’m now satisfied in my knowledge of what ''Duke Nukem Forever'' is and ready to never talk about it again. Welcome back, Duke. I hope your next game (which is teased after the credits) goes off without a hitch."<ref name="gameinformerreview"/> '']'' concluded that for those "part of that faction that finds yourself so fascinated by this whole project that you need to know how it ends, I recommend you play ''Duke Nukem Forever'' for yourself. But I'd practically insist that you do so on the PC and try to wait for a sale. If you're not willing to play a sloppy, cobbled together first-person shooter just because it has some kind of weird historical meaning, though, just forget this ever happened and move on."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/duke-nukem-forever/61-20721/reviews |title=Review: Duke Nukem Forever |date=June 14, 2011 |publisher=GiantBomb |access-date=December 12, 2011 |archive-date=December 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219172326/http://www.giantbomb.com/duke-nukem-forever/61-20721/reviews/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jake Denton of '']'' wrote that parts of the game were fun to play and listed it as one of the "5 most underrated games of 2011", while admitting the game's overall faulty structure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/329718/features/5-most-underrated-games-of-2011/?page=4 |title=5 most underrated games of 2011: Hidden gems from the last year... |last=Denton |first=Jake |date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=March 16, 2012 |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225212918/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/329718/features/5-most-underrated-games-of-2011/?page=4 |archive-date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref> Joseph Milne of ''FPSguru.com'' featured the game on his list of "Top 5 underrated games" at number 4 on the list.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205050754/http://www.fpsguru.com/article/77 |date=December 5, 2013 }}. Fpsguru.com (2011-08-11). Retrieved on 2013-07-31.</ref> | |||
| === Plot === | |||
| ===Sales=== | |||
| The plot of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has been publicly presented through footage and screenshots. Key developer Glen Burke has played an important role{{Clarify|date=October 2009}} following the franchise from the first title. 3D Realms released trailers at the 1998 and 2001 ] conventions, and released screenshots in the time between those years. However, as ''DNF'' has gone through extensive changes since its last trailer, the plot is not known in its entirety. | |||
| According to research firm NPD, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' sold 376,300 units in its first month, not including digital copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182168p1.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever Sales Results |date=July 14, 2011 |work=] |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916101150/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/118/1182168p1.html |archive-date=September 16, 2011 }}</ref> ], the parent company of ], revealed in July 2011 that the game sales were half of their initial expectations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/35674/Take_Two_Estimates_Lowered_After_Disappointing_Duke_Sales.php |title=Take Two Estimates Lowered After Disappointing Duke Sales |publisher=] |date=July 5, 2011 |access-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708115325/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/35674/Take_Two_Estimates_Lowered_After_Disappointing_Duke_Sales.php |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> However, in an earnings call on August 8, 2011, Take-Two said that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' would prove profitable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psu.com/Duke-Nukem-profitable,-LA-Noire-ships-4-million-says-Take-Two--a012495-p0.php |title=Duke Nukem profitable, L.A. Noire ships 4 million says Take-Two |publisher=] |date=August 9, 2011 |access-date=August 10, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909013421/http://www.psu.com/Duke-Nukem-profitable%2C-LA-Noire-ships-4-million-says-Take-Two--a012495-p0.php |archive-date=September 9, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| == Legacy == | |||
| The status of several secondary characters also remains unclear. The 2001 trailer shows an alien invasion in ]. It features Duke fighting with several weapons, in many settings (such as a mine, some rural areas, the streets of ], on water, and indoor areas).<ref name="second">IGN Staff. . IGN. June 1, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2007.</ref> | |||
| '']'' included ''Duke Nukem Forever'' in its 2016 list of the worst games ever, calling it "an example of what happens when the hype is far greater than the quality of the game".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-19 |title=8 of the Worst Games of All Time |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/8-of-the-worst-games-of-all-time/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521094005/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/8-of-the-worst-games-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, '']'' wrote that reactions had "ranged from negative to 'I guess it could have been worse,'" and that much of the failure was down to its imitation of the first-person shooter games and that it lacked "self-awareness".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-10 |title=Duke Nukem Forever proves the worst part of Duke Nukem is Duke Nukem |url=https://www.destructoid.com/duke-nukem-forever-proves-the-worst-part-of-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064405/https://www.destructoid.com/duke-nukem-forever-proves-the-worst-part-of-duke-nukem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> '']'' attributed the negative reaction to the long development, and that the series' humor had become less acceptable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-29 |title=Why Duke Nukem Didn't Reboot Successfully |url=https://screenrant.com/duke-nukem-forever-reboot-problems-bad-remake-series/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064404/https://screenrant.com/duke-nukem-forever-reboot-problems-bad-remake-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| === Leaks === | |||
| {{As of|2003}}, the 3D Realms website states that "the screenshots and videos that were there have been removed as they no longer represent the game's current look and feel."<ref name="wid" /> | |||
| On May 9, 2022, an unfinished version of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' from 2001, including the level editor and the full source code, leaked online.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zak |first=Robert |date=2022-05-09 |title=The leaked 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever is actually real |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-leaked-2001-build-of-duke-nukem-forever-is-actually-real/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064405/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-leaked-2001-build-of-duke-nukem-forever-is-actually-real/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Broussard confirmed its authenticity on ], stating that he did not know who had leaked it and that "there is no real game to play".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Broussard |first=George |title=Yes, the leak looks real. No, I'm not really interested in talking about it or retreading a painful past. You should heavily temper expectations. There is no real game to play. Just a smattering of barely populated test levels. I have no knowledge who leaked this.|user=georgebsocial|number=1523602422437842944 |access-date=July 17, 2022|date=May 9, 2022}}</ref> Miller, in a post on the ] website, wrote that "anyone expecting much of a playable game will be disappointed".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Scott |date=2022-05-10 |title=The Truth About Duke Nukem Forever |url=https://www.apogeeent.com/devblog/dnf-truth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511053544/https://www.apogeeent.com/devblog/dnf-truth |archive-date=2022-05-11 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Apogee Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> The leak includes a version of ''Duke Nukem 3D''{{'s}} first level that ends with a sequence taken from the television series '']''.<ref name="Machkovech-2022" /> | |||
| Covering the leak for '']'', Sam Machkovech found that the gunfights were "surprisingly solid", with "punchy sound design and powerful weapons", and resembled the '']'' series. He wrote that the large environments, such as casinos, were built to a realistic scale and "play out like a confused team coming to grips with brand-new engine technology, simply building out larger-than-usual levels without yet getting to the crucial stages of balancing".<ref name="Machkovech-2022">{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2022-05-12 |title=We have played the lost Duke Nukem Forever build from 2001 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-have-played-the-lost-duke-nukem-forever-build-from-2001/ |access-date=June 19, 2022 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610171459/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-have-played-the-lost-duke-nukem-forever-build-from-2001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| In 2008, Miller confirmed that the plot involves a retired Duke, who now owned a ] known as "The Lady Killer" that had come under attack from ].<ref name="new plot">Webster, Stephen C. "". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved November 28, 2008.</ref> | |||
| A fan ], the ''Duke Nukem Forever Restoration Project'', aims to update the leak to a more complete state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heaton |first=Andrew |date=2022-09-01 |title=First Trailers For Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Restoration Project Drop |url=https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-trailer/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Patrick Perrault |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Restoration Mod Project Announced |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-mod-project-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625013822/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-mod-project-announced |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |accessdate=June 20, 2022 |work=TechRaptor}}</ref> The first was released in December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |author=Andrew Heaton |date=December 22, 2022 |title=Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Fan Restoration Project Is Out Now |url=https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102192429/https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-release/ |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |accessdate=August 25, 2023 |work=]}}</ref> A version of the canceled 2D version of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' from 1996 leaked that month.<ref name="atdec27" /> | |||
| == Press coverage == | |||
| <!-- This section should only list items in which DNF is the PRIMARY SUBJECT of the item—such as an award, or a specific page, not just a running joke or parody --> | |||
| '']'' has awarded ''Duke Nukem Forever'' its ] Awards several times. It placed second in June 2000 and topped the list in 2001 and 2002.<ref name="whenever">Kahney, Leander. . December 27, 2000. Wired News.</ref><ref>Manjoo, Farhad. . January 7, 2002. Wired News.</ref><ref name="ifever">Vaporware Team. . ''Wired News''. January 3, 2003.</ref> Wired created the Vaporware Lifetime Achievement Award exclusively for ''DNF'' and awarded it in 2003. George Broussard accepted the award, simply stating, "We're undeniably late and we know it."<ref>Vaporware Team Null. . Wired News. January 20, 2004.</ref> In 2004, the game did not make the top 10; ''Wired'' editors said that they had given ''DNF'' the Lifetime Achievement Award to get it off of the list.<ref name="neverever"> Vaporware Team. . January 7, 2005. Wired News.</ref> However, upon readers' demands, ''Wired'' changed its mind, and ''DNF'' won first place in 2005, 2006 and 2007.<ref name="wired">Kahney, Leander. . Wired News. February 6, 2006.</ref><ref>Calore, Michael. . Wired News. December 27, 2006.</ref><ref>Calore, Michael. . Wired News. December 20, 2007.</ref> In 2008, Wired staff officially considered removing DNF from their annual list, citing that "even the best jokes get old eventually", only to reconsider upon viewing the handheld camera footage of the game in The Jace Hall Show, awarding the game with first place once again.<ref>Wired Staff. . Wired News. December 29, 2008.</ref>. In 2009, Wired published ''Wired News' Vaporware Awards 2009''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/12/vaporware-2009-inhale-the-fail/ |title=Vaporware 2009: Inhale the Fail' |author=Michael Calore |publisher='''' |date=2009-12-21}}</ref>: Duke Nukem Forever is not in list, but only because Wired decided to give a pass to it<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/12/vaporware-2009-a-call-for-submissions/ |title=Vaporware 2009: A Call for Submissions' |author=Michael Calore |publisher='''' |date=2009-12-07}}</ref>. | |||
| ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has drawn a number of jokes related to its development timeline. The video gaming media and public in general have routinely suggested several names in place of ''Forever'', calling it "Never", "(Taking) Forever", "Whenever", "ForNever", "Neverever", and "If Ever".<ref name="wired" /> | |||
| When the ] editors compiled a list of the "Top 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming History" in June 2003, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' placed #18.<ref>. Top 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming History. GameSpy. June 10, 2003.</ref> | |||
| ], host of '']'', featured ''Duke Nukem Forever'' in the show's premiere episode on June 4, 2008 and described his hands-on play experience with the game as "perfect", ending the segment with "I saw it. They have been working. It's not a myth. You're going to be pleased."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jacehallshow.com|title=The Jace Hall Show|accessdate=2008-06-04}}</ref> In a subsequent interview with ] on June 5, 2008, Jason Hall described the game as "amazing" with the summation, "This might be the only game in history worth waiting 12 years for, perhaps longer.... It was good."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168117|title=Jason Hall Discusses His New Online Show|accessdate=May 7, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| ==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| {{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}} | |||
| {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist|refs= | |||
| {{refbegin|2}} | |||
| <!-- <ref name="shack100903">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=23904881#item_23904881 | title=Duke Nukem Forever Hands-on Preview (comment from George Broussard) | date=September 3, 2010 |first1=George |last1=Broussard| author-link1=George Broussard |first2=Allen H., III |last2=Blum | quote=Triptych Games which continued the game for us through all of 2009 and into 2010 with Gearbox. Triptych is made up of 9 3DR employees who refused to let the game go and we found a way through the legal maze to keep them working on the game and to keep the game alive. They have been the development force for the last year that's made the game possible. What you see coming from PAX right now is what we originally made at 3DR with polish and additional work by Triptych and assistance from Gearbox |access-date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> --> | |||
| *<div id="3DRealms1997">{{cite web|author=3D Realms|date=1997-04-28|url=http://www.3drealms.com/press/0428972.html|archivedate=1999-10-12|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19991012010949/www.3drealms.com/press/0428972.html|title=Duke does Quake - The Big Question Answered - Why?|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-12-23}}</div> | |||
| <ref name="gamein100903">{{cite web|last=Cork |first=Jeff |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx |title=Duke Nukem Forever hitting in 2011 |quote=We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago |publisher=Gameinformer.com |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909104949/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx |archive-date=September 9, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
| *<div id="3DRealms1998">{{cite web|author=3D Realms|date=1998-06-15|url=http://www.3drealms.com/press/dnfunreal.html|title=Duke Nukem Forever Switches to Unreal Engine|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-12-23}}</div> | |||
| <!-- <ref name="ausgam110218">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2972677 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Interview with Gearbox Software |publisher=AusGamers.com |access-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021043925/http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2972677 |archive-date=October 21, 2010 }}</ref> --> | |||
| *<div id="3DRealms2000">{{cite web|author=3D Realms|date=2000-12-04|url=http://www.3drealms.com/press/dukefindsgod.html|title=Duke Nukem Turns His Life Over to g.o.d.|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-02}}</div> | |||
| <ref name="dnpressrelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.dukenukem.com |title=Press Release: Duke Nukem Forever Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum |publisher=DukeNukem.com |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2011 |quote=2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history... |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127063243/http://www.dukenukem.com/ |archive-date=January 27, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
| *<div id="aguilar2010">{{cite web|author=Aguilar, Mario|date=2010-01-20|url=http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/storyboard-duke-nukem-forever/|title=Storyboard: Duke Nukem Forever’s Spectacular Failure|work=]|accessdate=2010-01-20}}</div> | |||
| <!--<ref name="gamesradar">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/games-that-changed-dramatically-after-their-e3-demo/ |title=Games that changed dramatically after their E3 demo |last=Roberts |first=David |date=June 10, 2016 |website=] |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref>--> | |||
| *<div id="Barrett1999">{{cite web|author=Barrett, Larry|date=1999-06-29|url=http://news.cnet.com/GT-Interactive-misses-in-4Q,-looks-for-sugar-daddy/2100-12_3-258863.html|title=GT Interactive misses in 4Q, looks for sugar daddy|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-01}}</div> | |||
| <!-- | |||
| *<div id="Cassamassina2001">{{cite web|author=Cassamassina, Matt; IGN Staff|date=2001-06-01|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/123/123880p1.html|title=Duke Nukem Forever; Duke Nukem Forever's been a long time coming, but it looks like the wait will be worth it|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-01}}</div> | |||
| <ref name="take2110218">{{cite web|author=TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE |url=http://classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/d853f429dd038ae1ca25759b0003557c/5aed2ea32b6af758ca2578300057efbb?OpenDocument |title=Classification Database – Duke Nukem Forever (MA 15+) |publisher=Classification.gov.au |access-date=February 18, 2011}}</ref>--> | |||
| *<div id="Doebele1999">{{cite news|author=Doebele, Justin|date=1999-12-27|url=http://www.forbes.com/global/1999/1227/0226009a.html|title=Another Look|work=]|page=1|accessdate=2009-12-26}}</div> | |||
| <ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-24-gearbox-delays-duke-nukem-forever |title=Gearbox delays Duke Nukem Forever |author=Robert Purchese |date=March 24, 2011 |publisher=Eurogamer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326050205/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-24-gearbox-delays-duke-nukem-forever |archive-date=March 26, 2011 }}</ref> | |||
| <!-- | |||
| *<div id="Kushner2004">{{cite book|author=Kushner, David|year=2004|title=Masters of Doom: How Two Guys Created An Empire and Transformed Pop Culture|publisher=Random House|isbn=0812972155}}</div> | |||
| <ref name="sysreq110503">{{cite web |url=http://www.newgamenetwork.com/news/2645/duke-nukem-forever-pc-system-requirements-posted/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever PC system requirements posted |publisher=] |date=May 3, 2011 |access-date=May 3, 2011 }}</ref>--> | |||
| *<div id="IGNStaff1999">{{cite web|author=IGN Staff|date=1999-10-19|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/071/071119p1.html|title=Broussard Talks Duke 4; The lead man behind DNF talks about the "complex" process of making the much-anticipated sequel|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-12-26}}</div> | |||
| }} | |||
| *<div id="Morris2003">{{cite news|author=Morris, Chris|date=2003-06-11|url=http://money.cnn.com/2003/06/11/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/|title=Duke Nukem vs. Take Two|work=]|accessdate=2010-01-17}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Reed2003">{{cite web|author=Reed, Kristan|year=2003-05-30|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_fallofdukenukem|title=The Fall Of Duke Nukem|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-12-24}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Thompson2009">{{cite web|author=Thompson, Clive|date=2009-12-21|url=http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/12/fail_duke_nukem/|title=Learn to Let Go: How Success Killed Duke Nukem|pages=1–4|work=]|accessdate=2009-12-24}}—also published in ''Wired'' '''18''' (1), January 2010 print issue.</div> | |||
| *<div id="Thorsen2003">{{cite web|author=Thorsen, Tor|date=2003-12-18|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/dukenukemforever/news_6085889.html|title=No Duke Nukem Forever 'til 2005?|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-02-01}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Thorsen2004">{{cite web|author=Thorsen, Tor|date=2004-09-10|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6107100.html|title=3D Realms denies Duke Nukem Forever using Doom 3 engine|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Trueman2000">{{cite web|author=Trueman, Doug|date=2000-01-18|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/vgs/universal/duke_hist/p3_01.html|title=The History of Duke Nukem: Duke Enters the Third Dimension|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-12-24}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Varanini2003">{{cite web|author=Varanini, Giancarlo|date=2003-05-29|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/dukenukemforever/news_6029145.html|title=Take-Two reveals new games in lineup|publisher=]|accessdate=2010-01-18}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Wernicke1998">{{cite web|author=Wernicke, Brad|date=1998-06-16|url=http://www.planetduke.com/features/interviews/gb19980616pr1.shtm|title=George Broussard (06/16/98); on the switch from Quake II to Unreal engine for Duke Nukem Forever|publisher=]|page=1–6}}</div> | |||
| *<div id="Wolf2008">{{cite book|author=Wolf, Mark J|year=2008|title=The Video Game Explosion: A History From Pong to Playstation and Beyond|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=031333868X}}</div> | |||
| {{refend}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * {{Official website}} | |||
| * at ] web site | |||
| * at ] website | |||
| * {{IMDb title|363582}} | |||
| * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130202459/http://www.mobygames.com/game/duke-nukem-forever |date=January 30, 2018 }} at ] | |||
| {{Duke Nukem series}} | {{Duke Nukem series}} | ||
| {{3D Realms Games}} | |||
| {{Gearbox Software}} | |||
| {{Authority control}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 18:41, 6 December 2024
2011 video game2011 video game
| Duke Nukem Forever | |
|---|---|
 North American cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Gearbox Software |
| Publisher(s) | 2K |
| Director(s) |
|
| Producer(s) |
|
| Writer(s) |
|
| Composer(s) | Eric Von Rothkirch |
| Series | Duke Nukem |
| Engine | Unreal Engine (heavily modified as "Duke Engine") |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Duke Nukem Forever is a 2011 first-person shooter game developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K for Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Mac OS X. It is the fourth main installment in the Duke Nukem series and the sequel to Duke Nukem 3D (1996). Players control Duke Nukem as he comes out of retirement to battle an alien invasion. Like its predecessor, Duke Nukem Forever features pop culture references, toilet humor, and adult content.
Duke Nukem Forever began development under 3D Realms and underwent a severely protracted development that lasted 14 years. Announced in 1997 following the critical and commercial success of Duke Nukem 3D, it was delayed several times, which was attributed to engine changes, understaffing, and a lack of a development plan. After 3D Realms downsized in 2009, Duke Nukem Forever was finished by Triptych Games, Gearbox Software, and Piranha Games. It holds the Guinness world record for the longest development for a video game.
Duke Nukem Forever was released on June 14, 2011, and received mostly negative reviews. Critics found the design dated, identified performance problems and found its humor misogynistic and crass. It did not meet sales expectations but was deemed profitable by Take-Two Interactive, the owner of 2K Games. An additional episode, The Doctor Who Cloned Me, was released as downloadable content later in the year. Early versions of Duke Nukem Forever were leaked in 2022.
Gameplay
Duke Nukem Forever is a first-person shooter that combines combat, exploration and puzzle-solving. The game also switches to a third-person view when in vehicle use. Players control Duke Nukem, a 1980s-style action hero, as he battles alien invaders through three main locations: Las Vegas, a highway and Hoover Dam. Some areas feature boss fights, fetch quests and driving sequences; in one sequence, Duke is shrunk to a miniature size and drives a toy car. Minigames include air hockey, whack-a-mole and pinball.
Forever is slower than previous Duke Nukem games. As in the Halo series, players can only carry two weapons at a time, and Duke's health regenerates automatically. The weapons include a shotgun, trip mines, a shrink ray (which shrinks enemies so Duke can stomp on them) and a freeze ray (which freezes enemies so Duke can shatter them). Like Duke Nukem 3D, Forever includes pop culture references, toilet humor and adult content, such as strip clubs and the ability to urinate. In the multiplayer mode, players compete in games such as deathmatch, capture the flag and king of the hill.
Plot
Twelve years after he saved the Earth from an alien invasion, Duke Nukem has become a celebrity multimillionaire. After playing a game based on Duke Nukem 3D, he arrives on the set of a talk show for an interview. On his way to the show, Duke witnesses a news broadcast announcing that aliens have returned. Unlike previous encounters, the aliens initially appear peaceful and at first, seem to pose no harm to the humans of Earth.
Duke's talk show appearance is canceled to allow television stations to cover the alien invasion, and Duke retires to the "Duke Cave", his home. There, he receives a call from the president and General Graves of the Earth Defense Force (EDF). The president orders Duke not to harm the invaders and adds that he is in diplomatic talks with the alien overlord.
When Duke is attacked by hostile aliens, Duke is forced to disobey the president's orders and fight his way through the alien hordes. While fighting through his casino, Duke witnesses the aliens abducting women, including his two pop-star girlfriends. Graves tells Duke that the women are being held in the Duke Dome and that the aliens have a vendetta to settle with Duke. He also warns Duke that the aliens are using Hoover Dam to power a wormhole so more aliens can come through. Duke travels to the Duke Dome, using a wrecking ball to damage the building to gain access. Inside, he finds swarms of Octabrains and the missing women, who have been impregnated with alien spawn. Duke's girlfriends die after bearing alien babies, infuriating Duke. Duke finds the Alien Queen in control of the Duke Dome and kills her, but is wounded in the process and blacks out.
After regaining consciousness, Duke fights Pigcops and aliens through the Duke Burger. He travels to the Hoover Dam in his monster truck. After battling through the dam, he finds his old friend Dylan, mortally wounded. Dylan tells Duke that the reborn Cycloid Emperor is at the dam and that the only way to shut down the portal is to completely destroy it. Before dying, he gives Duke his demolition charges and wishes him luck. Duke places the explosives and destroys the dam, but the currents nearly drown him.
Duke is revived by an EDF soldier and awakens to find the portal gone. The president, who was also at the dam, rages at Duke for ruining his plans to work with the Cycloid Emperor. The president was actually intending to have the aliens kill Duke so he could control the Earth with Cycloid Emperor. He has ordered a nuclear strike at the site of the dam to wipe out the remaining aliens, intending to leave Duke there to die. The Cycloid Emperor emerges and kills the president and his security detail; he intended to kill the president after the deal. Duke kills the Cycloid Emperor and is rescued by Graves as the nuclear bomb explodes. In a press conference, Duke announces his intent to run for President of the United States.
The Doctor Who Cloned Me
In the downloadable content The Doctor Who Cloned Me, Duke wakes up after the nuclear explosion and finds himself trapped in a strange laboratory while video recordings of himself declaring his bid for Presidency play on monitors. After escaping, Duke discovers that not only are the aliens continuing their invasion, but his old nemesis Dr. Proton (the antagonist of the original Duke Nukem game) has returned and is building an army of robotic Duke clones to fight the aliens and conquer Earth himself.
Duke infiltrates Proton's laboratory in Area 51 by posing as one of the clones. Eventually, Proton spots him and attacks Duke but he escapes and is reunited with Dylan (revealed as still alive). With Dylan's help, Duke locates and kills Dr. Proton. General Graves then communicates with Duke to inform him that the aliens are being bred by an Alien Empress that is nesting on the moon. After finding a teleporter leading up to the moon, Duke commandeers a moon rover and destroys the Alien Empress, saving Earth and its women once again.
Development
Main article: Development of Duke Nukem ForeverAnnouncement
In 1996, 3D Realms released Duke Nukem 3D. Set apart from other first-person shooter games by its adult humor and interactive world, it received acclaim and sold around 3.5 million copies. The 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard announced the sequel, Duke Nukem Forever, on April 27, 1997, which he expected to be released by Christmas 1998. It was widely anticipated. The 3D Realms co-founder Scott Miller said the Duke Nukem franchise would last for decades across many iterations, like James Bond or Mario. Broussard and Miller funded Duke Nukem Forever using the profits from Duke Nukem 3D and other games. They gave the marketing and publishing rights to GT Interactive, taking only a $400,000 advance. 3D Realms also began developing a 2D version of Duke Nukem Forever, which was canceled due to the rising popularity of 3D games.
Engine changes and delays
Rather than create a new game engine, 3D Realms began development using id Software's Quake II engine. They demonstrated the first Duke Nukem Forever trailer at the E3 convention in May 1998. Critics were impressed by its cinematic presentation and action scenes, with combat on a moving truck. According to staff, Broussard became obsessed with incorporating new technology and features from competing games and could not bear for Duke Nukem Forever to be perceived as outdated. Weeks after E3, he announced that 3D Realms had switched to Unreal Engine, a new engine with better rendering capabilities for large spaces, requiring a reboot of the project. In 1999, they switched engines again, to a newer version of Unreal Engine.
By 2000, Duke Nukem Forever was still far from complete. A developer who joined that year described it as a series of chaotic tech demos, and the staff felt that Broussard had no fixed idea of what the final game would be. As the success of Duke Nukem 3D meant that 3D Realms did not require external funding, they lacked deadlines or financial pressure that could have driven the project. Broussard became defiant in response to questions from fans and journalists, saying it would be released "when it's done". In December 2000, the rights to publish Duke Nukem Forever were purchased by Take-Two Interactive, which hoped to release it the following year. By 2001, Duke Nukem Forever was being cited as a high-profile case of vaporware, and Wired gave it the "vaporware of the year" award.
At E3 2001, 3D Realms released another trailer, the first public view of Duke Nukem Forever in three years. It received a positive response, and the team was elated, feeling that they were ahead of their competitors. However, Broussard still failed to present a vision for a final product. One employee felt that Miller and Broussard were developing "with a 1995 mentality", with a team much smaller than other major games of the time. By 2003, only 18 people were working on Duke Nukem Forever full time. In a 2006 presentation, Broussard told a journalist the team had "fucked up" and had restarted development. By August 2006, around half the team had left, frustrated by the lack of progress.
According to Miller, the Canadian studio Digital Extremes was willing to take over the project in 2004, but the proposal was rejected by others at 3D Realms. Miller later described this as a "fatal suicide shot". In 2007, 3D Realms hired Raphael van Lierop as the new creative director. He was impressed by the game and felt it could be finished within a year, but Broussard disagreed. 3D Realms hired aggressively to expand the team to about 35 people. Brian Hook, the new creative lead, became the first employee to push back against Broussard.
Layoffs and Gearbox takeover
In 2009, with 3D Realms having exhausted its capital, Miller and Broussard asked Take-Two for $6 million to finish the game. After no agreement was reached, Broussard and Miller laid off the team and ceased development. A small team of ex-employees, which later became Triptych Games, continued development from their homes.
In September 2010, Gearbox Software announced that it had bought the Duke Nukem intellectual property from 3D Realms and would continue development of Duke Nukem Forever. The Gearbox team included several members of the 3D Realms team, but not Broussard. On May 24, 2011, Gearbox announced that Duke Nukem Forever had "gone gold" after 15 years. It holds the Guinness world record for the longest development for a video game, at 14 years and 44 days, though this period was exceeded in 2022 by Beyond Good and Evil 2 and in 2024 by Kien.
In 2022, Miller released a blog post on the Apogee website about 3D Realms' failure to complete Duke Nukem Forever. He attributed it to understaffing, repeated engine changes and a lack of planning. On Twitter, Broussard responded that Miller's claims were "nonsense", described him as manipulative and narcissistic, and accused him of blaming others. He blamed Miller for the loss of 3D Realms and the Duke Nukem intellectual property.
Marketing and release
The Duke Nukem Forever launch trailer was released on June 2, 2011. A playable demo was released on June 3, 2011. Duke Nukem Forever was released in a special "Balls of Steel" edition, with items including a five-inch bust of Duke Nukem, a 100-page artbook, a comic, stickers and poker chips. Themes and avatars were also sold for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
2K Games launched a website titled "Boob Tube" to promote the game. On May 19, 2011, a Flash game was released on the website, Duke Nudem, whereby players shoot targets against a woman. If successful, her clothing is removed until she is topless. 2K released a Duke Nukem Forever soundboard for iOS, including a number of Duke Nukem's phrases. Duke Nukem Forever was made available a day early on June 9 from all retailers after the street date was broken. It was released in Japan on March 29, 2012.
Downloadable content
Duke's Big Package
In North America, the video game retailer GameStop promised exclusive in-game content for customers pre-ordering Duke Nukem Forever. The exclusive content, known as "Duke's Big Package", allowed the player from the start of the game to access "Big Heads", the "Ego Boost", and custom in-game T-shirts. A code printed on the final receipt could, at the time of release, be activated over Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam.
Hail to the Icons Parody Pack
Duke Nukem Forever: Hail to the Icons Parody Pack contains three new game modes, and four new multiplayer maps, each with new weapons. It is available on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Steam. It was released on October 11, 2011.
The Doctor Who Cloned Me
A new single-player campaign, The Doctor Who Cloned Me, was released on December 13, 2011. It sees the return of Duke's nemesis from the original Duke Nukem game, Dr. Proton, and adds new weapons, enemies, bosses and multiplayer maps. It holds a score of 52/100 on Metacritic for PC and 58/100 for Xbox 360. GameSpy rated it a 1.5/5, OXM rated it 4/10 and Eurogamer rated it 5/10, writing: "Duke's trying his best, but there's still too much of the past hanging around and holding him back."
Reception
Critical reception
Reception| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 54/100 (PS3) 51/100 (X360) 49/100 |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 1Up.com | F |
| Destructoid | 2/10 |
| Edge | 3/10 |
| Eurogamer | 3/10 |
| Game Informer | 6.75/10 |
| GamePro |   |
| GameRevolution | D+ |
| GameSpot | (PC) 3.5/10 (X360) 3/10 |
| GameSpy |  |
| GamesRadar+ | 6/10 |
| GameTrailers | 5.4/10 |
| IGN | 5.5/10 |
| Joystiq | |
| PALGN | 5/10 |
| PC Gamer (US) | 80/100 |
| X-Play | |
On the review aggregation site Metacritic, Duke Nukem Forever has a range score between 49–54/100, indicating "mixed or average reviews" on the PC and PlayStation 3 versions and "generally negative reviews" on the Xbox 360 version. Criticism focused on the long loading times, clunky controls, offensive humor and dated design. The critics Elton Jones of Complex, James Stephanie Sterling of Destructoid and Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw, creator of Zero Punctuation, named it among the worst games of the year.
Many critics disliked the level design and shooting. Kevin VanOrd of GameSpot felt that the "joy" of the Duke Nukem 3D combat had been "flattened", with "little sense of impact", and found the design tedious. He called Duke Nukem Forever a "bad, boring, bargain bin kind of game". Eurogamer wrote that the locations lacked the "exploration and excitement that made Duke 3D such a memorable experience", and that the levels were too linear, with "huge chunks of the game are spent simply walking from one fight to another through uninspired corridors". IGN felt the shooting was "simple fun", but criticized the platforming sequences, which "make up an unnecessarily large percentage of the story mode". GamesRadar concluded that the "world-record development time has produced an ugly, buggy shooter that veers back and forth between enjoyably average and outright boring, with occasional surges of greatness along the way". GamePro felt that "unexpected moments ... are really the game's biggest strengths. But they're few and far between."
Many reviewers questioned the design choices in comparison to Duke Nukem 3D, with Kotaku writing: "Old-school shooters, and this is definitely trying to be one of those with its basic AI and lack of cover mechanics, always had two great things going for them: speed and a ridiculous arsenal of weapons... Forever eschews this in favour of a plodding pace and two guns." The Escapist agreed: "Having been almost cryo-frozen for more than a decade, then awoken and peppered with modern touches, Duke Nukem Forever feels so out of place."
Another common criticism was with the game's lack of technical sophistication, including inconsistent graphics and unacceptably long loading times, which GameTrailers called "unholy"; Eric Neigher of GameSpy found the console versions took up to 40 seconds to load a level. Neigher also criticized the game's multiplayer mode as unplayable without serious lag spikes. Edge wrote that "the myriad technical shortcomings – particularly prevalent on the console ports – only get worse the further you progress into the campaign", a view echoed by Game Revolution: "when they started on the design, that tech was already outdated". The PC version has since been patched to greatly decrease loading times and to add two optional inventory slots.
The use of the series' trademark humor received a mixed response. In one regard, some critics such as Team Xbox praised the voice work of Jon St. John, who did an "excellent job as always with Duke's persona", while others such as Machinima.com appreciated the comedic gameplay tips and pop culture references. However, the same critic also noted that "parts of the narrative and dialogue show clear evidence of the game's elongated development. Many pop culture references refer to media in the early 2000s, with one-liners co-opted from 'guy' movies like Old School, Highlander, and Commando, which in itself could cause blank stares from most of the current potential audience." The Australian website PALGN felt the game was "saved only by its humor and nostalgic value".
Several critics objected to the depiction of women; X-Play described it as "creepy" and hateful. Joystiq wrote that the multiplayer mode "Capture the Babe", which involves spanking women, "really is as painful as it sounds". The hive level, in which Duke encounters abducted women who have been forcibly impregnated with aliens, attracted particular criticism. The level and its inclusion of disembodied "wall boobs", which the player can slap, were listed in GamesRadar's "8 worst moments in Duke Nukem Forever". Croshaw found that the level was "as jarring a shift of tone as you can get without splicing five minutes of The Human Centipede into the middle of Mallrats". Destructoid wrote: "Duke does not come across as cool, witty or likeable in the least. He comes across as a vile, callous, thoroughly detestable psychopath ... According to Gearbox, seeing women tortured was funny enough." Official Xbox Magazine UK thought that the humor was not "so much offensive or misogynistic as just suffering from an adolescent fixation with boobs and crowbarred-in innuendo". The Kusoge of the Year Wiki named Duke Nukem Forever one of the worst games of 2012.
Critics cited the long development time as a factor in the finished product. In a positive review PC Gamer noted that "years of anticipation will spoil Duke Nukem Forever for some", adding, "There’s no reinvention of the genre here, no real attempt at grandeur... Check unrealistic expectations at the door and forget the ancient, hyperbolic promises of self-deluded developers", and concluded, "Don’t expect a miracle. Duke is still the hero we love, but struggles to keep up with modern times." Game Informer, while disappointed in the game, concluded: "I'm glad Gearbox stepped up and finished this game, but after hearing about it for 12 years, I have no desire to relive any of it again. I’m now satisfied in my knowledge of what Duke Nukem Forever is and ready to never talk about it again. Welcome back, Duke. I hope your next game (which is teased after the credits) goes off without a hitch." Giant Bomb concluded that for those "part of that faction that finds yourself so fascinated by this whole project that you need to know how it ends, I recommend you play Duke Nukem Forever for yourself. But I'd practically insist that you do so on the PC and try to wait for a sale. If you're not willing to play a sloppy, cobbled together first-person shooter just because it has some kind of weird historical meaning, though, just forget this ever happened and move on." Jake Denton of Computer and Video Games wrote that parts of the game were fun to play and listed it as one of the "5 most underrated games of 2011", while admitting the game's overall faulty structure. Joseph Milne of FPSguru.com featured the game on his list of "Top 5 underrated games" at number 4 on the list.
Sales
According to research firm NPD, Duke Nukem Forever sold 376,300 units in its first month, not including digital copies. Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of 2K Games, revealed in July 2011 that the game sales were half of their initial expectations. However, in an earnings call on August 8, 2011, Take-Two said that Duke Nukem Forever would prove profitable.
Legacy
The Escapist included Duke Nukem Forever in its 2016 list of the worst games ever, calling it "an example of what happens when the hype is far greater than the quality of the game". In 2021, Destructoid wrote that reactions had "ranged from negative to 'I guess it could have been worse,'" and that much of the failure was down to its imitation of the first-person shooter games and that it lacked "self-awareness". Screen Rant attributed the negative reaction to the long development, and that the series' humor had become less acceptable.
Leaks
On May 9, 2022, an unfinished version of Duke Nukem Forever from 2001, including the level editor and the full source code, leaked online. Broussard confirmed its authenticity on Twitter, stating that he did not know who had leaked it and that "there is no real game to play". Miller, in a post on the Apogee website, wrote that "anyone expecting much of a playable game will be disappointed". The leak includes a version of Duke Nukem 3D's first level that ends with a sequence taken from the television series Twin Peaks.
Covering the leak for Ars Technica, Sam Machkovech found that the gunfights were "surprisingly solid", with "punchy sound design and powerful weapons", and resembled the Soldier of Fortune series. He wrote that the large environments, such as casinos, were built to a realistic scale and "play out like a confused team coming to grips with brand-new engine technology, simply building out larger-than-usual levels without yet getting to the crucial stages of balancing".
A fan mod, the Duke Nukem Forever Restoration Project, aims to update the leak to a more complete state. The first was released in December 2022. A version of the canceled 2D version of Duke Nukem Forever from 1996 leaked that month.
Notes
- Additional development by 3D Realms, Piranha Games and Triptych Games
- Published to Mac by Aspyr
- Duke Nukem Forever released in 2012 in Japan.
References
- ^ Robert Purchese (March 24, 2011). "Gearbox delays Duke Nukem Forever". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011.
- "Spiele mit Unreal Engine - Von 1998 bis heute". www.gamestar.de (in German).
- Cork, Jeff (September 3, 2010). "Duke Nukem Forever hitting in 2011". Gameinformer.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2010. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago
- "Press Release: Duke Nukem Forever Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum". DukeNukem.com. January 21, 2011. Archived from the original on January 27, 2007. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history...
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External links
- Official website
- Duke Nukem Forever news archive at 3D Realms website
- Duke Nukem Forever at IMDb
- Duke Nukem Forever Archived January 30, 2018, at the Wayback Machine at MobyGames
| Duke Nukem | |
|---|---|
| Title character | |
| Main series | |
| Spin-offs | |
| Portable games | |
| Production | |
| Related games | |
| Gearbox Software | |
|---|---|
| Part of 2K; a division of Take-Two Interactive | |
| Brothers in Arms series | |
| Borderlands series | |
| Half-Life expansion packs | |
| Duke Nukem games | |
| Alien franchise games | |
| Other games | |
| Published games | |
| Related | |
- 2011 video games
- 2K games
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- Video games about alien invasions
- Cancelled GameCube games
- Cancelled Dreamcast games
- Cancelled PlayStation 2 games
- Cancelled Xbox games
- Duke Nukem
- First-person shooters
- MacOS games
- PlayStation 3 games
- Science fiction video games
- Unreal Engine 1 games
- Unreal Engine 2 games
- Video games about size change
- Video games set in Nevada
- Video games developed in Canada
- Video games developed in the United States
- Video game controversies
- Windows games
- Xbox 360 games
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- Piranha Games games