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			{{Short description\|2011 video game}}
			{{Use mdy dates\|date=June 2013}}
	{{Infobox video game		{{Infobox video game
	\| title = Duke Nukem Forever		\| title = Duke Nukem Forever
	\| image = ]		\| image = DukeNukemForever.jpg
			\| caption = North American cover art
	\| developer = ] (1997–2009)
			\| developer = ]{{efn\|Additional development by ], ] and Triptych Games}}
			\| publisher = ]{{efn\|Published to Mac by ]}}
			\| 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 = ]
			\| modes = ], ]
			\| 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 = {{unbulleted list\|]\|]\|]\|]}}
			\| 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. -->}}
			}}

			'''''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.
	]<ref>http://www.triptychgames.com/</ref> (2009–)

			''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-->
	<small>in collaboration<ref>http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=23904881#itemanchor_23904881 George Broussard: ''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.''</ref> with:</small>

			''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.
	] (2009<ref>http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx ''We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago''</ref>–)

			==Gameplay==
	<small>additional work by:</small><br />
			''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" />
	]<ref>http://www.piranha-games.com/News.html</ref>
	\| publisher = ] (1997–1999)<br /> ](1999–2001)<br /> ] (2001–2009)<br /> ]<ref>http://www.dukenukem.com/#?press_release</ref> (2010–)
	\| engine = Proprietary engine derived from ]
	\| genre = ], ]
	\| modes = ], ]
	\| series = '']''
	\| platforms = ], ], ]
	\| release = Early 2011
	\| media = ], ]
	\| input = ] and ], ]
	\| ratings =
	}}

			''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" />
	'''''Duke Nukem Forever''''' is an upcoming ] ] for the ], ] and ] systems,<ref>, Press Release at Gearbox Software.</ref> currently in development by ], and a sequel to the 1996 game '']'', as part of the long-running '']'' video game series. Intended to be groundbreaking, it has become notorious in the video games industry for its ]; the game has been in development since 1997. Originally in development under ], director ], one of the creators of the original '']'' game, first announced the title's development in April 1997, and promotional information for the game was released in one form or another in 1997 to 2008. This information, including screenshots, showed different looks for the game, as 3D Realms was constantly changing ]s and graphics.

			==Plot==
	After repeatedly announcing and deferring release dates, 3D Realms announced in 2001 that it would be released simply "when it's done". In May 2009, 3D Realms was downsized for financial reasons, resulting in the loss of the game's development team. Statements by the company indicated that the project was due to go ] soon with pictures of final development. ], which owns the publishing rights to the game, filed a lawsuit in 2009 against 3D Realms over their failure to finish development. 3D Realms retorted that Take-Two's legal interest in the game is limited to their publishing right. The case was settled with ] and details undisclosed in May, 2010. On 3 September 2010, after 13 years, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was officially reported by ] to be in development at ].<ref>http://kotaku.com/5628894/its-official-duke-nukem-forever-coming-from-gearbox-software</ref>
			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.

			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.
	==Development==
	===Background===

			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.

			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.
	] 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 (a new brand name was made, ] 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 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 ].
	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 ], 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"/>

	===''~~Quake~~ ~~II''~~ ~~engine,~~ ~~1997-1998~~===		===''The Doctor Who Cloned Me''===
			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 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, the ], were antiquated. Id Software's new ] was far superior to Build, so Broussard decided to license it.<ref name="wernicke-1">], 1.</ref><ref name="thompson-2">], 2.</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>

			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.
	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"/>

			==Development==
	===''Unreal'' engine, 1998-2002===
	]		{{main\|Development of Duke Nukem Forever}}
	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"/>

			=== Announcement ===
	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:
			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>
	<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 than ''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>

			=== Engine changes and delays ===
	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 Gathering 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>
			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>
	===Conflict with Take-Two, 2003-2006===
	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"/>

			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" />
	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="thorsen2004"/> Soon after 3D Realms replaced the game's Karma physics system with one designed by ], a relatively unknown Swedish firm. Closed-doors demonstrations of the technology suggested that the physics of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' would be a step up from the critically-acclaimed '']''.<ref>].</ref> Rumors suggested that the game would appear at 2005 ]. While 3D Realms' previously-canceled '']'' made an appearance, the rumors of ''Duke Nukem Forever''{{'}}s appearance proved false.<ref>].</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" />
	Broussard reported in a January 2006 interview that many of ''Duke Nukem Forever''{{'}}s elements had been finished; "we're just basically pulling it all together and trying to make it fun".<ref>], 2.</ref> Later that year Broussard demonstrated samples of the game, including an early level, a vehicle sequence, and a few test rooms.<ref name="carless2006">].</ref> Among the features seen was the interactive use of an in-game computer to send actual e-mails.<ref>].</ref> The developer seemed contrite and affected by the long delays; while a journalist demoed the game Broussard referenced note cards and constantly apologized for the state of the game.<ref name="thompson-3"/> In filing with the ], Take-Two revealed they had renegotiated the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' deal, with the developer receiving $4.25 million instead of $6 million on release of the game. Take-Two offered a $500,000 bonus if ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was commercially released by December 31, 2006.<ref name="carless2006"/> 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>

			=== Layoffs and Gearbox takeover ===
	Some of the staff were tired of the delays—''Duke Nukem Forever'' was the only 3D game many had worked on, giving them little to put on a resume, and as much of 3D Realms' payment hinged on profit-sharing after release, the continual delays meant deferred income.<ref name="thompson-3"/> By August 2006, between 7–10 employees had left since 2005, a majority of the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' team (which in recent months had shrunk to around 18 staff).<ref name="thompson-4">], 4.</ref><ref>].</ref> While ] speculated that the departures would lead to further delays, 3D Realms denied the 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> Creative director Raphael van Lierop, hired in 2007, played through the completed content and realized that there was more finished than he expected. Lierop told Broussard that he felt they could push the game and "blow everyone out of the water", but Broussard responded that the game was still two years away from completion.<ref name="thompson-4"/>
			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>

			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>
	===2007-2009===
	]
	The long delay strained Broussard and Miller's relationship, and by the end of 2006 Broussard appeared to become serious about shipping the title.<ref name="thompson-4"/> On January 25 and May 22, 2007, Broussard posted two ] job ads with small screenshots of Duke Nukem and an enemy, which he later confirmed 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=January 26, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|author=Broussard, George\|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26857l\|title= Programmer ad\|publisher=]\|accessdate=May 22, 2007}}</ref> The team doubled in size within a short timeframe. Among the new hires was project lead Brian Hook, who became the first person to successfully resist Broussard's requests for changes.<ref name="thompson-4"/>

			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 game trailer was released on December 19, 2007, the first teaser in more than six years. The video was made by 3D Realms employees as part of holiday festivities. While Broussard maintained the release date would be "when it's done", he added that "you can expect more frequent media releases we have considerable work behind us".<ref>].</ref> While the ''Dallas Business Journal'' "confirmed" a 2008 release date for the game, Broussard later reported that this was based on misunderstanding "off the record" information.<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=July 21, 2009}}</ref> In-game footage of the game appeared in 2008 premiere episode of ''The Jace Hall Show''. 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=June 5, 2008}}</ref> the video showed host ] playing through parts of a single level on a PC at 3D Realms' offices. The footage was confirmed to have been shot 6 months prior 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=707889&postcount=791\|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread\|accessdate=June 5, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=708402&postcount=1180\|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread\|accessdate=June 5, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=708759&postcount=1361\|title=The Jace Hall DNF Footage Thread\|accessdate=June 6, 2008}}</ref> The game did not make an appearance at E3 2008, an event which Miller described as "irrelevant".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/06/3d-realms-we-vi/
	\| title=Duke Nukem Forever Devs: E3 is 'Irrelevant' \|author=Earnest Cavalli \|publisher='']'' \|date=June 30, 2008 \|accessdate=September 18, 2008}}</ref>

			==Marketing and release==
	While the game neared completion, the funding began to dry up. Having spent more than $20 million of their own money, Broussard and Miller asked Take-Two for $6 million to complete the game. According to Broussard and Miller, Take-Two initially agreed, but then only offered $2.5 million. Take-Two maintained that they offered $2.5 million up front and another $2.5 million on completion. Broussard rejected the counteroffer, and on May 6, 2009, suspended all development.<ref name="thompson-4"/>
			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>
	===''DNF'' team fired and 3D Realms downsized, 2009-2010===
	3D Realms laid off the ''DNF'' staff on May 8, 2009 due to lack of funding, but inside sources claimed it would still operate as a smaller company.<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 = May 18, 2009 \| accessdate = May 18, 2009 \| publisher = Kotaku}}</ref> Development on DNF halted, and its fate was unknown. Publisher Take-Two Interactive, in response, stated that they still held the publishing rights for ''Duke Nukem Forever'', but they were not funding the game.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8037688.stm \|title=Technology \| Duke Nukem developer goes bust \|publisher=BBC News \|date=May 7, 2009 \|accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</ref>

			==Downloadable content==
	On May 7 and May 8, 2009, unreleased screenshots, concept art, pictures of models from the game and a goodbye message 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 the Linkedin profile of an employee.

			===''Duke's Big Package''===
	On May 14, 2009, Take-Two filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms over their failure to complete ''Duke Nukem Forever'', citing that they paid $12 million to ] in 2000 to acquire the publishing rights.<ref name="amon-bloomberg">].</ref> 3D Realms argued, 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 seemed 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 = May 14, 2009 \| accessdate = May 16, 2009 \| publisher = ]}}</ref> Take-Two 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 = May 15, 2009 \| accessdate = May 16, 2009 \| 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=May 18, 2009 \|accessdate=July 21, 2009}}</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=July 21, 2009}}</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''===
	In June 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 10, 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 10, 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 10, 2010.</ref> An unofficial compilation of gameplay footage was also released in December 2009.<ref>"</ref>
			''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>

			===''The Doctor Who Cloned Me''===
	On June 11, 2010, it was announced that ] and ] had settled the lawsuit and dismissed it with ] on May 14.<ref name="lawsuitSettled">{{Cite web\| url = http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55304/3D-Realms-Take-Two-Interactive-Settle-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Lawsuit \| title = 3D Realms & Take Two Interactive Settle Duke Nukem Forever Lawsuit \| first = Andrew \| last = Burnes \| date = June 11, 2010 \| accessdate = Jun 11, 2010 \| publisher = Voodoo Extreme/IGN}}</ref><ref name="Settled">{{Cite web\| url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/64233 \| title = Duke Nukem Forever Lawsuit Settled \| first = Chris \| last = Faylor \| date = June 11, 2010 \| accessdate = Jun 11, 2010 \| publisher = Shacknews}}</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==
	===Gearbox revival, 2009–===
	Despite the discontinuation of internal game development at ''3D Realms'', development of the game did not cease entirely. Nine ex-employees including key personnel like Allen Blum, who later became Triptych Games - an independent studio<ref>http://traffic.libsyn.com/majornelson/mnr-show-373-randypitchfordbonusshow.mp3</ref> that is currently housed on the same building as Gearbox collaborating with them,<ref>http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/65514 ''Allen Blum and those guys, they're actually now in the Gearbox Software building on the tenth floor. We brought them in; they're now connected to the Gearbox infrastructure and our central team of animators and modelers and sound engineers.''</ref> continued game development throughout 2009 from their homes.

			===Critical reception===
	After ceasing internal game development, ''3D Realms'' approached noted game developers Gearbox Software<ref>http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=23904907#itemanchor_23904907 ''We approached them initially due to our past relationship and were able to work out a nice deal where everyone wins across the board. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, but it's not like a white knight came in and saved the day.''</ref> and asked them if they were interested in helping Triptych Games polish the nearly finished PC version and port it to the consoles.<ref>http://liquidmesh3d.com/animation.html ''I would also like to Thank Gear Box for the help they did the last few months. Gear Box helped port DNF to the PS3 and finish the port for the 360.''</ref><ref>http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/65514 ''Getting it all together, as one cohesive piece you could play front to back, fitting it within memory, all the optimizations and trying to get it on console platforms -- that was the thing.''</ref> Gearbox CEO ], who had worked on an expansion to ] and very briefly on ''Forever'' before he left to found Gearbox, felt that "Duke can't die" and decided that he was going to help "in Duke’s time of need".<ref name="vg247.com">http://www.vg247.com/2010/09/06/interview-saving-duke-nukem-forever-by-randy-pitchford/</ref> He started providing funding for the game and contacted ]' president to persuade his company that Gearbox and Triptych can complete the development of the game and get it released on all platforms in time. ] was contracted to do additional work for the game, which at this point has not been specified.
			{{Video game reviews
			\| 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>
	The game was officially re-announced at the ] 2010 on September 3, 2010.<ref>http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx</ref><ref>http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/03/5042686-babes-bullets-bombs-duke-nukem-is-making-a-comeback</ref><ref>{{cite news\| url=http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/09/03/controversial-long-awaited-duke-nukem-forever-will-finally-be-released/ \| work=The Wall Street Journal \| title=Controversial ‘Duke Nukem Forever' Will Finally Be Released \| first=Kamau \| last=High \| date=September 3, 2010}}</ref> It was the first time in the game's development history that gamers were able to actually try the game - according to Pitchford, "the line has gotten up to four hours long to see the game".<ref name="vg247.com"/> On the final day of the ] during the ] panel it was announced that the company has bought the Duke Nukem ] from 3D Realms and 2K Games now holds the exclusive long-term publishing rights of the game.<ref name="GearboxDukeNukemIP">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/press/duke-nukem-franchise-transferred-to-gearbox-software/ \|title=Duke Nukem Franchise Transferred to Gearbox Software \|publisher=Gearbox Software \|date=2010-09-05 \|accessdate=2010-09-07 }}</ref><ref name="GamespotDukeNukemIP">{{Cite web\|url=http://pax.gamespot.com/story/6275307/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip \|title=Gearbox acquires Duke Nukem IP \|publisher=GameSpot \|author=Tom Magrino \|date=2010-09-05 \|accessdate=2010-09-07 }}</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" />
	It has since been officially confirmed that development has been almost completed with only minor polishing to be done,<ref>http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/65514 ''We are straight into polish mode now. We have the game assembled; you can play the game front to back.''</ref> before the game is released in 2011.<ref name="GamespotDukeNukemIP"/><ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbEqS-4TfwY</ref> Pitchford has stated that a playable demo will be released once they figure out the timing.<ref name="vg247.com"/> Mikey Neumann, creative director of Gearbox, has revealed on the ''] podcast Episode #100'', that the game is going to be released in early 2011.<ref>http://www.avaultpodcast.com/shows/download.php?c=234&n=Avault+Podcast+Episode+100.mp3</ref>
	On October 1, 2010, Randy Pitchford showed for a second time realtime gameplay footage from the game, at the Firstlook gaming convention in Amsterdam<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-97N6jNKb4 Gameplay footage from Firstlook 2010</ref> and a couple of levels were available for play for visitors.

			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>
	On October 5, 2010, Gearbox announced that purchasers of the ''Game of the Year Edition'' of ], scheduled to be released on October 12, 2010 will receive exclusive early access to the demo of ''Duke Nukem Forever''.<ref>http://news.bigdownload.com/2010/10/05/borderlands-gets-players-ready-for-duke-nukem-forever/</ref>

			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}}
	==Press coverage==
	'']'' 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=December 21, 2009}}</ref> Duke Nukem Forever was specifically excluded from consideration, on the grounds that the project was finally dead.<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=December 7, 2009}}</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" />
	''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" /> The game has also 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 itself pokes fun of its long development.

			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>
	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>

			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>
	On June 2009, '']'' published a mock video review of the game, highlighting and ridiculing both the long production time and the general hype surrounding the game's apparent cancellation. In September 2010, it was voted the show's best review by fans.<ref>]. . '']''. September 10, 2010</ref>

			===Sales===
	], 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=June 4, 2008}}</ref> In a subsequent interview with ], he 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> On 21 September, 2010, Hall confirmed, in an interview with ''Triplebeard.com'', that there is a surprise for Duke fans when Season 4 of ''The Jace Hall Show'' debuts in mid-to-end of October, 2010.<ref> {{cite web\| url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I40VqvTqisI \|title=''Triplebeard.com'' interviewing Jace Hall\|publisher=Youtube\|date= \|accessdate= 9.25.2010\|}}</ref>
			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 ==
			'']'' 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 ===
			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>

			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" />

	==Notes==		==Notes==
			{{Reflist\|group=lower-alpha}}
	{{Cleanup-link rot\|date=September 2010}}
	{{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> -->
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			<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=June 15, 1998\|url=http://www.3drealms.com/press/dnfunreal.html\|title=Duke Nukem Forever Switches to Unreal Engine\|publisher=]\|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</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> -->
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			<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>
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			<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>
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			<!--
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			<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>-->
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			}}
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	*<div id="IGNStaff1999">{{Cite web\|author=IGN Staff\|date=October 19, 1999\|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=IGN\|accessdate=December 26, 2009}}</div>
	*<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>
	*<div id="Lee2006">{{Cite web\|author=Lee, Garnett\|date=January 31, 2006\|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3147571\|title=Say It Ain't So: We interview the enigmatic George Broussard\|publisher=]\|accessdate=February 13, 2010\|pages=1–2}}</div>
	*<div id="McNamara2005">{{Cite web\|author=McNamara, Tom\|date=May 19, 2005\|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/617/617251p1.html\|title=E3 2005: Duke Nukem Forever Not Here\|publisher=IGN\|accessdate=2010-02-13}}</div>
	*<div id="Morris2003">{{Cite news\|author=Morris, Chris\|date=June 11, 2003\|url=http://money.cnn.com/2003/06/11/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/\|title=Duke Nukem vs. Take Two\|work=CNN\|accessdate=January 17, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Reed2003">{{Cite web\|author=Reed, Kristan\|date=May 30, 2003\|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_fallofdukenukem\|title=The Fall Of Duke Nukem\|publisher=]\|accessdate=December 24, 2009}}</div>
	*<div id="Remo2006">{{Cite web\|author=Remo, Chris\|date=August 30, 2006\|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/43655\|title=3D Realms Sees Major Employee Departures, Fate of DNF in Question?\|publisher=]\|accessdate=February 10, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Remo2007">{{Cite web\|author=Remo, Chris\|date=2007-12-17\|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50457\|title=New DNF Trailer\|publisher=]\|accessdate=December 18, 2007}}</div>
	*<div id="Thompson2009">{{Cite web\|author=Thompson, Clive\|date=December 21, 2009\|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=December 24, 2009}}—also published in ''Wired'' '''18''' (1), January 2010 print issue.</div>
	*<div id="Thorsen2003">{{Cite web\|author=Thorsen, Tor\|date=December 18, 2003\|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/dukenukemforever/news_6085889.html\|title=No Duke Nukem Forever 'til 2005?\|publisher=]\|accessdate=February 1, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Thorsen2004">{{Cite web\|author=Thorsen, Tor\|date=September 10, 2004\|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6107100.html\|title=3D Realms denies Duke Nukem Forever using Doom 3 engine\|publisher=]\|accessdate=January 18, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Thorsen2006">{{Cite web\|author=Thorsen, Tor\|date=June 9, 2006\|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6152594.html\|title=Take-Two stock tanks, Duke Nukem Forever due by Dec. 31?\|publisher=]\|accessdate=February 10, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Trueman2000">{{Cite web\|author=Trueman, Doug\|date=January 18, 2000\|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=December 24, 2009}}</div>
	*<div id="Varanini2003">{{Cite web\|author=Varanini, Giancarlo\|date=May 29, 2003\|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/dukenukemforever/news_6029145.html\|title=Take-Two reveals new games in lineup\|publisher=]\|accessdate=January 18, 2010}}</div>
	*<div id="Wernicke1998">{{Cite web\|author=Wernicke, Brad\|date=June 16, 1998\|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=IGN\|pages=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}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=August 2010}}
			{{Gearbox Software}}
			{{Authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 18:41, 6 December 2024

2011 video game

Duke Nukem Forever
North American cover art
Developer(s)	Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)	2K
Director(s)	Bryan Ekman George Broussard
Producer(s)	Mike Wardwell Geoff Gordon Matthew Newman Brian Hook
Writer(s)	Valeta Wensloff Kristen Haglund David Riegel
Composer(s)	Eric Von Rothkirch
Series	Duke Nukem
Engine	Unreal Engine (heavily modified as "Duke Engine")
Platform(s)	Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 Mac OS X
Release	Windows, PS3, Xbox 360 EU/AU: June 10, 2011 NA: June 14, 2011 Mac OS X WW: August 18, 2011
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 Forever

Announcement

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

Aggregate score
Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	(PC) 54/100 (PS3) 51/100 (X360) 49/100

Review scores
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...
^ Plunkett, Luke (June 21, 2011). "Duke Nukem Forever: The Kotaku Review". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
^ "Duke Nukem Forever". IGN. June 11, 2011. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
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Liang, Lu-Hai (August 9, 2022). "Duke Nukem Forever Had More Advanced Graphics Until It Launched, Modders Discover". TheGamer. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
^ Cunningham, Andrew (December 27, 2022). "Leaker posts an early, canceled 2D version of the infamous Duke Nukem Forever". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
"Duke Nukem Eventually". IGN. December 6, 2000. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
Kohler, Chris (June 4, 2011). "Duke Nukem ends 12-year reign as vaporware king". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
^ Wilde, Tyler (May 11, 2022). "Former 3D Realms owners clash over Duke Nukem Forever blame". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
e (October 12, 2010). "Show 373: Another one without Major Nelson". Major Nelson Podcast. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
^ "Gearbox acquires Duke Nukem IP". GameSpot. September 7, 2010. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
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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

v t e Duke Nukem
Title character
Main series	Duke Nukem Duke Nukem II Duke Nukem 3D Duke Nukem Forever
Spin-offs	Duke Nukem: Time to Kill Duke Nukem: Zero Hour Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project
Portable games	Duke Nukem Advance Duke Nukem Mobile Duke Nukem: Critical Mass
Production	List of media Development of Duke Nukem Forever
Related games	Death Rally Balls of Steel Vivisector: Beast Within Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded Bombshell Ion Fury Bulletstorm Duke Smoochem 3D
Category

v t e 3D Realms (list of games)
As Apogee Software	Arctic Adventure Bio Menace Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold Blake Stone: Planet Strike Boppin' Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure Crystal Caves Dark Ages Duke Nukem Duke Nukem II Kroz series Major Stryker Math Rescue Monster Bash Monuments of Mars Mystic Towers Paganitzu Pharaoh's Tomb Raptor: Call of the Shadows Realms of Chaos Rise of the Triad ScubaVenture Secret Agent Stargunner Wacky Wheels Wolfenstein 3D Word Rescue Xenophage: Alien Bloodsport List of minor video games
As 3D Realms	Terminal Velocity Duke Nukem 3D Shadow Warrior Balls of Steel Max Payne Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project Prey Duke Nukem Forever Bombshell Ion Fury Wrath: Aeon of Ruin Kingpin: Reloaded Graven Core Decay Phantom Fury Tempest Rising
People	Scott Miller George Broussard Todd Replogle
Technology	Build engine
Related	Apogee Entertainment Embracer Group Saber Interactive

v t e Gearbox Software
Part of 2K; a division of Take-Two Interactive
Brothers in Arms series	Road to Hill 30 Earned in Blood D-Day Hell's Highway Double Time
Borderlands series	Borderlands Borderlands 2 Legends The Pre-Sequel The Handsome Collection Borderlands 3 Tiny Tina's Wonderlands New Tales from the Borderlands Borderlands 4
Half-Life expansion packs	Opposing Force Blue Shift Decay
Duke Nukem games	Duke Nukem Forever Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour
Alien franchise games	Infestation Colonial Marines
Other games	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 Halo: Combat Evolved Samba de Amigo Battleborn
Published games	Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak Bulletstorm: Full Clip Edition We Happy Few Earthfall Trover Saves the Universe Risk of Rain Risk of Rain 2 Godfall Tribes of Midgard Neverwinter Star Trek Online Homeworld 3
Related	Counter-Strike: Condition Zero Tales from the Borderlands Brothers in Arms: Furious 4 Borderlands (film) Homeworld Randy Pitchford Cryptic Studios

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