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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 | caption = North American cover art
| developer = ] | developer = ]{{efn|Additional development by ], ] and Triptych Games}}
| publisher = ]{{efn|Published to Mac by ]}}
{{collapsible list|title=Additional work by:|Triptych Games<ref>{{cite web
| director = {{plainlist|
| url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?id=23904881#itemanchor_23904881
*Bryan Ekman
| title=Duke Nukem Forever Hands-on Preview (comment from ])
*]}}
| date=2010-09-03
| producer = {{plainlist|
| author=]<br/>Allen H. Blum III
*Mike Wardwell
| 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 What you see coming from PAX right now is what we originally made at 3DR with polish and additional work by Triptych and assistance from Gearbox''
*Geoff Gordon
| accessdate=2011-02-11}}</ref><br />]<ref>{{cite web|last=Hackersho |first=Yu Yu |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx |title='&#39;We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago'&#39; |publisher=Gameinformer.com |date=2010-09-03 |accessdate=2011-02-18}}</ref><br />
*Matthew Newman
]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2972677 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Interview with Gearbox Software |publisher=AusGamers.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-18}}</ref><br /><small>(Multiplayer and console ports)</small>}}
*Brian Hook}}
| publisher = ]<ref name="dnpressrelease">''2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history...'' {{cite web|url=http://www.dukenukem.com |title=Press Release: Duke Nukem Forever Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum |publisher=DukeNukem.com |date=2011-01-21 |accessdate=2011-02-18}}</ref>
| writer = {{plainlist|
| engine = Modified ]
*Valeta Wensloff
| designer = ]
*Kristen Haglund
*David Riegel}}
| composer = Eric Von Rothkirch
| genre = ] | genre = ]
| modes = ], ] | modes = ], ]
| series = '']''
| ratings = {{vgratings|ACB=MA15+<ref>{{cite web|author=TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE |url=http://classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/d853f429dd038ae1ca25759b0003557c/5aed2ea32b6af758ca2578300057efbb?OpenDocument |title=Classification Database – DUKE NUKEM FOREVER (MA 15+) |publisher=Classification.gov.au |date= |accessdate=2011-02-18}}</ref>|BBFC=18|ESRB=M|PEGI=18+|CERO=Z|USK=18}}
| 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>
| series = '']''
| platforms = ], ], ], ] | platforms = {{unbulleted list|]|]|]|]}}
| release = {{vgrelease|EU=June 10, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>|AUS=June 10, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>}}{{vgrelease|NA=June 14, 2011<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|publisher=Eurogamer}}</ref>}}<!-- Please do not update the date without referencing a reliable source; retailers do not count. --> | 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. -->}}
| media = ], ], ]
| input = ] and ], ]
| requirements = {{Collapsible list |title=]<ref>{{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=3 May 2011 |accessdate=03-05-2011 }}</ref> |
'''Minimum Specs'''
* Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0 Ghz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 @ 2.0 Ghz
* 1GB RAM
* nVidia GeForce 7600 / ATI Radeon HD 2600 or equivalent with 256MB video memory
* Windows XP/Vista/7 OS
* 10GB free hard disk space
* DirectX Compatible sound card
'''Recommended Specs'''
* Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.4 Ghz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 @ 2.6 Ghz or better
* 2GB RAM
* nVidia GeForce 8800 GTS / ATI Radeon HD 3850 or better, with 512MB video memory
* Windows XP/Vista/7 OS
* 10GB free hard disk space
* DirectX Compatible sound card
}} }}
}}
'''''Duke Nukem Forever''''' is an ] ] ] for ], ] and ] that was developed by ] and Triptych Games and finished by ] and ]. It is a sequel to the 1996 game '']'', as part of the long-running '']'' video game series.


'''''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.
Intended to be groundbreaking, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' became infamous in the video game industry and its name became synonymous with ] due to its severely-protracted ]; the game was released in 2011 but had been in development since 1996. On June 27, 2011, ] announced that Duke Nukem Forever would be making its way onto ] in August 2011. It was made available for pre-order on June 27 via their online game distribution platform ].<ref></ref>


''Duke Nukem Forever'' began development under ] and underwent a ] that lasted 14 years. Announced in 1997 following the critical and commercial success of ''Duke Nukem&nbsp;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-->
== Plot ==
The game takes place about twelve years after the events of ''Duke Nukem 3D''. Duke is now a worldwide icon, and has achieved great fame from his heroic deeds. After sampling a video game based on his past heroics (the game Duke plays is a revamped version of the final level of ''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 on a nearby television screen announcing that aliens have once again invaded. 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 cancelled to allow television stations to cover the alien invasion, and he retires to the "Duke Cave".


''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.
There, he receives a call from the president and General Graves of the military. The president orders him not to harm the invaders, and adds that he is in diplomatic talks with the alien overlord. Duke obliges this request, but remains uneasy about the whole situation. However, before he can leave his chambers, he is attacked by hostile aliens. Duke is forced to disobey the president's orders and fight his way through the alien hordes in an effort to save Earth. While fighting through his casino, Duke witnesses the aliens abducting women including his two live-in 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 the ] to power a wormhole so more aliens can come through. Nukem 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 giving "birth" to alien babies. Duke finds the Alien Queen in control of the Dome and kills her, but is wounded in process and blacks out.


==Gameplay==
After regaining consciousness, Duke travels to the Hoover Dam in his ]; after battling through the dam, he finds his old friend Dylan, mortally wounded. He tells Duke that the Cycloid Emperor is at the dam, and that the only way to shut down the portal is to completely destroy the dam. 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 after a soldier performs CPR on him; he 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 and that 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. However, the Cycloid Emperor emerges and kills the President and his security detail. Duke kills the Cycloid Emperor and is rescued by Graves just as the nuclear bomb explodes.
''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" />


''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" />
The game ends with a satellite surveying the detonation area and listing Duke Nukem as "KIA", to which Duke replies off-screen "What kind of shit ending is that? I ain't dead, I'm coming back for more!". A short scene after the ending credits depicts a press conference, where Duke announces his intent to run for the 69th ].


== Gameplay == ==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 '']'', 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 Nukem Forever'' is an action-oriented ]. Players take control of Nukem as they navigate through a series of levels which take place on Earth and beyond. The game allows players to interact with various in-game objects, including urinals, water coolers and ] which allow players to draw their own images. The gameplay is similar in some respects to the first-person shooter games of the late ]s and early ], with each level culminating in a boss battle in which Nukem has to fight and kill a large, significant alien.


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.
Unlike in the previous games, Nukem can only hold two weapons at any one time in a manner similar to the '']'', although ] and laser tripwires are considered inventory items and as such are not limited by this restriction. Items that have an effect on Nukem can be picked up by the player; these items are steroids, beer, and the "holoduke". Steroids increase the strength of Nukem's melee attacks by a great deal for a limited time. Beer makes Nukem much more resistant to damage, but blurs the screen. A holoduke creates a hologram of Duke Nukem that looks and acts in a very similar way to Duke, but often says slightly twisted versions of his one-liners. While the holoduke is in effect, Nukem becomes invisible and the AI characters do not recognize his presence. The jetpack also returns, but only in multiplayer.


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.
Instead of the health system featured in the previous ''Duke Nukem'' game, in which health would be depleted when Nukem was injured and would only increase upon finding a health pack, drinking water from fountains/broken fire hydrants, urinating or using the portable medkit special item, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' employs a system involving an "ego bar". The ego bar depletes when Nukem is attacked; once it is fully depleted, Nukem becomes susceptible to damage, dying and causing the game to reload the last checkpoint. If the player avoids further damage the ego bar is restored, as is Nukem's health. The player can increase the size of the ego bar (thus increasing the amount of damage Nukem can take) by interacting with certain items throughout the game (for example, a mirror), and by defeating bosses. The game employs a saving system that is solely based on checkpoints.

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.

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 ].

===''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 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== ==Development==
{{main|Development of Duke Nukem Forever}} {{main|Development of Duke Nukem Forever}}


=== Announcement ===
Originally in development under ], director ], one of the creators of the original '']'' game, first announced the title's development in April 1997, and various promotional information for the game was released between 1997 and 1998. After repeatedly announcing and deferring release dates, 3D Realms announced in 2001 that it would be released simply "when it's done".
In 1996, 3D Realms released '']''. Set apart from other first-person shooter games by its adult humor and interactive world, it received acclaim and sold around 3.5 million copies.<ref name="Thompson-2009">{{Cite magazine |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=1 December 2009 |title=Learn to let go: how success killed Duke Nukem |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/fail-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |magazine=] |language=en-US |volume=18 |issue=1 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The 3D Realms co-founder ] announced the sequel, ''Duke Nukem Forever'', on April 27, 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-08-09 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Had More Advanced Graphics Until It Launched, Modders Discover |url=https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815203114/https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which he expected to be released by Christmas 1998. It was widely anticipated.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> The 3D Realms co-founder ] said the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise would last for decades across many iterations, like '']'' or '']''.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> Broussard and Miller funded ''Duke Nukem Forever'' using the profits from ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and other games. They gave the marketing and publishing rights to ], taking only a $400,000 advance.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> 3D Realms also began developing a 2D version of ''Duke Nukem'' ''Forever,'' which was canceled due to the rising popularity of 3D games.<ref name="atdec27">{{cite web |author=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Leaker posts an early, canceled 2D version of the infamous ''Duke Nukem Forever'' |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |accessdate=December 27, 2022 |work=] |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227183119/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Engine changes and delays ===
In 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.
Rather than create a new ], 3D Realms began development using ]'s ].<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> They demonstrated the first ''Duke Nukem Forever'' trailer at the ] convention in May 1998. Critics were impressed by its cinematic presentation and action scenes, with combat on a moving truck.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> According to staff, Broussard became obsessed with incorporating new technology and features from competing games and could not bear for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' to be perceived as outdated.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> Weeks after E3, he announced that 3D Realms had switched to ], a new engine with better rendering capabilities for large spaces, requiring a reboot of the project.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In 1999, they switched engines again, to a newer version of Unreal Engine.<ref name="Thompson-2009" />


By 2000, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was still far from complete. A developer who joined that year described it as a series of chaotic ], and the staff felt that Broussard had no fixed idea of what the final game would be.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> As the success of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' meant that 3D Realms did not require external funding, they lacked deadlines or financial pressure that could have driven the project. Broussard became defiant in response to questions from fans and journalists, saying it would be released "when it's done".<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In December 2000, the rights to publish ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were purchased by ], which hoped to release it the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2000-12-06 |title=Duke Nukem Eventually |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612110332/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2001, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was being cited as a high-profile case of ], and '']'' gave it the "vaporware of the year" award.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=4 June 2011 |title=Duke Nukem ends 12-year reign as vaporware king |language=en-US |magazine=] |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/06/duke-nukem-vaporware/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
On September 3, 2010, after 14 years, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was officially reported by ] to be in development at ].<ref>{{cite web| author=Jessica Citizen |url=http://www.gamepron.com/news/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever/|title=Duke Nukem Forever confirmed! |date=September 4, 2010 |accessdate=September 4, 2010}}</ref> It was originally confirmed to be released on May 3, 2011 in North America, with a worldwide release following on May 6, 2011.<ref name="gameinformer_releasedate">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/01/21/exclusive-duke-nukem-forever-has-a-release-date.aspx |title=Exclusive: Duke Nukem Forever Has A Release Date |author=Jeff Cork |publisher=] |date=2011-01-21 |accessdate=2011-01-21}}</ref> This was, however, delayed by a month to June 10 internationally, with a North American release on June 14.
On May 24, 2011, it was announced that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' finally "]" after 15 years.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Robinson |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/295133/news/duke-nukem-forever-delayed-again-really/|title=Duke Nukem Forever delayed again (really) |date=March 24, 2011 |accessdate=March 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Gearbox Twitter|url=http://twitter.com/#!/GearboxSoftware/status/72995691902939136|title=Duke Nukem Forever gone gold|date=May 24, 2011|accessdate=May 24, 2011}}</ref> After going gold the launch trailer for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was released on June 2, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bunker37.com/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-the-long-awaited-launch-trailer/|title=Duke Nukem Forever, the Long Awaited Launch Trailer|date=June 2, 2011|accessdate=June 2, 2011}}</ref>


At E3 2001, 3D Realms released another trailer, the first public view of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' in three years. It received a positive response, and the team was elated, feeling that they were ahead of their competitors. However, Broussard still failed to present a vision for a final product. One employee felt that Miller and Broussard were developing "with a 1995 mentality", with a team much smaller than other major games of the time. By 2003, only 18 people were working on ''Duke Nukem Forever'' full time.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> In a 2006 presentation, Broussard told a journalist the team had "fucked up" and had restarted development.<ref name="Thompson-2009" /> By August 2006, around half the team had left, frustrated by the lack of progress.<ref name="Thompson-2009" />
==Marketing==
Duke's First Access Club is joined by using a code, obtained from either the pre-order of the game, the '']'', or ''Borderlands'' on Steam (if bought before the club was announced), on the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' website. Members are granted access to wallpapers, the demo, concept art, artwork, podcasts (which are added often), the theme song, and screenshots.


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" />
E-mails were sent asking members to "please help obtain the most accurate up to date information for your First Access profile." Members were then prompted to choose their preferred platform of choice for the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' demo by May 15, 2011. It then stated that "users that currently live in a territory where the demo may not be supported on console will automatically be defaulted to the PC Steam option."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefocus.ca/?nav=new&nid=14034|title=Duke Nukem's First Access Club E-mail Hints Upcoming Demo Arrival|publisher=Game Focus|unused_data=but Matty D is still smoking on the best author=Jay Acevedo}}</ref> Gearbox sent a second e-mail to First Access Members in conjunction with a video showing that the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' demo was released on June 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/news/duke-nukem-forever-demo-coming-june-3|title=Duke Nukem Forever Demo Coming on June 3|author=Chris Pereira|publisher=1up.com}}</ref>


=== Layoffs and Gearbox takeover ===
A special limited Collector's Edition was available upon release called "Balls of Steel Edition" for all platforms. This version includes a five-inch bust<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.2kgames.com/showthread.php?104345-Balls-of-Steel-Edition-of-Duke-Nukem-Forever-CONFIRMED!&p=1344894#post1344894 |title=Balls of Steel Edition of Duke Nukem Forever CONFIRMED! |publisher=Forums.2kgames.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12}}</ref> of Duke Nukem,
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>
a 100-page hardcover artbook following the development of the game, postcards, sticker, a comic book, playing cards, dice, poker chips and foldable papercraft, and with every item being marked with the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/duke-nukem-forever-balls-of-steel-edition|title=Duke Nukem Forever 'Balls of Steel' Edition: Is this some kind of bust?|author=JC Fletcher|publisher=Joystiq}}</ref><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|publisher=The Escapist}}</ref> Another edition called the "King Edition" was made available exclusively for pre-order from ] in Australia and New Zealand. It comes with the bonus "Ego Boost", Duke Playing Cards and Duke Bubblegum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/Duke-Nukem-Forever-King-Editio |title=Duke Nukem Forever: King Edition "exclusive" at EBGames – PS3 News &#124; MMGN Australia |publisher=Ps3.mmgn.com |date= |accessdate=2011-05-12}}</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>
Two themes, avatar items, and a gamerpic pack are available for download for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems. The premium theme for the Xbox 360 showcases the inside of Duke Burger during the alien invasion. The avatar items for said system include Duke's outfit, his throne, the Freeze Ray, a Pigcop mask, and a pet Octabrain while the gamerpic pack features "babes, aliens, and the King himself." The official ''Duke Nukem Forever'' website hosts the free PlayStation 3 theme, which includes three wallpapers and an icon set.<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}}</ref>


In 2022, Miller released a blog post on the Apogee website about 3D Realms' failure to complete ''Duke Nukem Forever''. He attributed it to understaffing, repeated engine changes and a lack of planning.<ref name="Wilde-2022" /> On ], Broussard responded that Miller's claims were "nonsense", described him as manipulative and narcissistic, and accused him of blaming others. He blamed Miller for the loss of 3D Realms and the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property.<ref name="Wilde-2022" />
2K Games launched a website titled "Boob Tube" to promote the game. The website features videos and features to download. On May 19, 2011, a flash game was released via the website titled ''Duke Nudem'' where players have to shoot targets against a CPU bot "woman" of their choice, and if successful will have a piece of clothing taken off the girl until she is topless. However, if the player loses, the actress will act as though Duke has stripped naked.<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=]|date=2011-05-18}}</ref>


==Marketing and release==
Originally set for release in Australia on June 10, 2011, the game was made available for sale a day early on June 9 from all retailers due to ] being 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=]|date=2011-06-09}}</ref>
The ''Duke Nukem Forever'' launch trailer was released on June 2, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zimmerman |first=Conrad |date=2011-06-02 |title=Against all odds, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has a launch trailer |url=https://www.destructoid.com/against-all-odds-duke-nukem-forever-has-a-launch-trailer/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=] |language=en-CA |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226154818/https://www.destructoid.com/against-all-odds-duke-nukem-forever-has-a-launch-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A playable demo was released on June 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris |first=Pereira |title=Duke Nukem Forever Demo Coming on June 3 |url=http://www.1up.com/news/duke-nukem-forever-demo-coming-june-3 |publisher=1up.com |access-date=May 17, 2011 |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060141/http://www.1up.com/news/duke-nukem-forever-demo-coming-june-3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was released in a special "Balls of Steel" edition, with items including a five-inch bust of Duke Nukem, a 100-page artbook, a comic, stickers and poker chips.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107714-2K-Announces-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Balls-of-Steel-Edition |title=2K Announces Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel Edition |author=Andy Chalk |date=February 12, 2011 |publisher=The Escapist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214084437/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107714-2K-Announces-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Balls-of-Steel-Edition |archive-date=February 14, 2011 }}</ref> Themes and avatars were also sold for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2kgames.com/blog/deck-out-your-360-and-ps3-with-duke-nukem-forever-goodness |title=Deck out your 360 and PS3 with Duke Nukem Forever Goodness |author=Elizabeth Tobey |publisher=2K Games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309012343/http://www.2kgames.com/blog/deck-out-your-360-and-ps3-with-duke-nukem-forever-goodness |archive-date=March 9, 2012 }}</ref>


2K Games launched a website titled "Boob Tube" to promote the game. On May 19, 2011, a ] was released on the website, ''Duke Nudem,'' whereby players shoot targets against a woman. If successful, her clothing is removed until she is topless.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5803009/shoot-targets-to-get-duke-nukem-girls-topless |title=Shoot Targets to Get Duke Nukem Girls Topless |publisher=Kotaku |date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519232938/http://kotaku.com/5803009/shoot-targets-to-get-duke-nukem-girls-topless |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref> 2K released a ''Duke Nukem Forever'' ] for ], including a number of Duke Nukem's phrases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5806336/duke-nukem-had-eggs-for-breakfast-your-mom-had-sausage |title=Duke Nukem Had Eggs For Breakfast, Your Mom Had Sausage |publisher=Kotaku |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=May 27, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805083338/http://kotaku.com/5806336/duke-nukem-had-eggs-for-breakfast-your-mom-had-sausage |archive-date=August 5, 2011 }}</ref> ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was made available a day early on June 9 from all retailers after the ] was broken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-breaks-street-date/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever Breaks Street Date |publisher=Kotaku |date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612112957/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-breaks-street-date/ |archive-date=June 12, 2011 }}</ref> It was released in Japan on March 29, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=13年+α! 『デューク ニューケム フォーエバー』が3月29日に発売延期 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201202/15010015.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105224132/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201202/15010015.html |archivedate=January 5, 2015 |website=ファミ通.com}}</ref>
==="Duke's Big Package"===

In North America, 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," and "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, The Playstation Network, and Steam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/pdf/dukepc.pdf|title=Dukes Big Package|publisher=]|date=2011-06-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/|title=Code Redemption Instructions|publisher=]|date=2011-06-14}}</ref>
==Downloadable content==

===''Duke's Big Package''===
In North America, the video game retailer ] promised exclusive in-game content for customers pre-ordering ''Duke Nukem Forever''. The exclusive content, known as "Duke's Big Package", allowed the player from the start of the game to access "Big Heads", the "Ego Boost", and custom in-game T-shirts. A code printed on the final receipt could, at the time of release, be activated over Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/pdf/dukepc.pdf |title=Dukes Big Package |publisher=GameStop |date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626013113/http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/pdf/dukepc.pdf |archive-date=June 26, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/ |title=Code Redemption Instructions |publisher=GameStop |date=June 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610064827/http://www.gamestop.com/gs/ravecode/ |archive-date=June 10, 2011 }}</ref>

===''Hail to the Icons Parody Pack''===
''Duke Nukem Forever: 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''===
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== ==Reception==

===Critical reception===
{{Video game reviews {{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>
<!-- Aggregators -->
| GR = (PS3) 49.98%<ref name=GRPS3>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/944793-duke-nukem-forever/index.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever (PlayStation 3) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-20 |accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref><br />(X360) 48.95%<ref name=GRX360>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/944794-duke-nukem-forever/index.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever (Xbox 360) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref><br />(PC) 47.95%<ref name=GRPC>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/448848-duke-nukem-forever/index.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever (PC) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-20}}</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>
| MC = (PC) 54/100<ref name=MCPC>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/duke-nukem-forever |title=Duke Nukem Forever (PC) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref><br />(PS3) 53/100<ref name=MCPS3>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/duke-nukem-forever |title=Duke Nukem Forever (PlayStation 3) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-20}}</ref><br />(X360) 49/100<ref name=MCX360>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever |title=Duke Nukem Forever (Xbox 360) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-20}}</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>
<!-- Reviewers -->
| LevelUp = F<ref name="1up-review">{{cite web|url=http://www.levelup.com/reviews/13671/Duke-Nukem-Forever/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever Review for PC, 360, PS3 from LevelUp.com |work=] |date=2011-06-15 |accessdate=2011-06-18}}</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>
| 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=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-14}}</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>
| Edge = 3/10<ref name="edgereview">http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review</ref>
| GameRev = D+<ref name=GRevolutionReview/>
| 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=2011-06-11 |accessdate=2011-06-11}}</ref>
| 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>
| 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=2011-06-14 | accessdate=2011-06-17}}</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=2011-06-14 | accessdate=2011-06-15}}</ref>
| 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=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref><br />(X360) 3/10<ref name="GSX360">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/duke-nukem-forever |title=Duke Nukem Forever (Xbox 360) reviews at |publisher=] |date=2011-06-14 |accessdate=2011-06-14}}</ref> | 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>
| GamePro = {{Rating|3|5}} <ref name="gamepro">http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220392/review-duke-nukem-forever-360-ps3/</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=2011-06-16 |accessdate=2011-06-16}}</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>
| IGN = 5.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1175639p1.html |title=Duke Nukem Forever |publisher=] |date=2011-06-11 |accessdate=2011-06-11}}</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 |publisher=] |date=2011-06-11 |accessdate=2011-06-11}}</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 web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/06/10/duke-nukem-forever-review/3/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever |publisher=] |date=2011-06-11 |accessdate=2011-06-11}}</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>
| rev1 = ]
| rev1Score = {{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=] |date=2011-06-10 | accessdate=2011-06-10}}</ref>
| rev2 = Gamer UK
| rev2Score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="Gamer UK review">{{cite web|last=Ryan-Smith |first=Tom|url=http://www.gamer-uk.co.uk/archives/3928/review-duke-nukem-forever |title= Duke Nukem Forever|publisher=Gamer UK |date=2011-06-25 | accessdate=2011-06-25}}</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>
Critically, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' received mixed reviews across all three platforms ranging from 0 to 80/100. Most of the criticism has been directed towards the game's clunky controls on consoles, shooting mechanics, and overall aging and dated design. Aggregating review websites ] and ] gave the ] version 49.98% and 53/100,<ref name=GRPS3 /><ref name=MCPS3 /> the ] version 48.95% and 49/100,<ref name=GRX360 /><ref name=MCX360 /> and the PC version 47.95% and 54/100.<ref name=GRPC /><ref name=MCPC />


Many critics took issue in regards to the level design and shooting mechanics, particularly when compared to both the original ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and those of current modern shooters. ] felt that the "joy of that game's shooting has been flattened", with a "little sense of impact", finding the overall design to be "tedious".<ref name="GSPC"/> ] commented that "few of the locations the sort of exploration and excitement that made Duke 3D such a memorable experience. ''Duke Nukem Forever'' is linear to a fault, and huge chunks of the game are spent simply walking from one fight to another through uninspired corridors."<ref name="EG"/> ] criticized "the frequent first-person platforming segments that make up an unnecessarily large percentage of the story mode", even when stating "shooting sections are simple fun".<ref name="IGN"/> ] concluded "Duke Nukem Forever’s 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" /> 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" />


Others questioned certain other design choices when compared to ''Duke Nukem 3D'' with ] stating that "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", noting its negative mix with modern shooter conventions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5813461/duke-nukem-forever-the-kotaku-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever: The Kotaku Review |publisher=] |date=2011-06-21 |accessdate=2011-06-21}}</ref> a view echoed by '']'' who felt "why a game like Duke, having been almost cryo-frozen for more than a decade, then awoken and peppered with modern touches, feels so out of place."<ref>http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/8949-Duke-Nukem-Forever-Review.3</ref> One other common criticism was leveled at the game's technical side including inconsistent graphics and overly long loading times with ] calling it "unholy" with ] finding the console version to take up to 40 seconds when loading. '']'' commented on "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 ] that "when they started on the design, that tech was already outdated". 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>


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}}
In regards to the humor of ''Duke Nukem Forever'', certain aspects received a mixed response. In one regard, some critics like ] favorably mentioned the voice work of Jon St. John being an "excellent job as always with Duke’s persona", while others like ] 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 seem so 2002, 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." Australian gaming website ] found the game only "saved only by its humor and nostalgic value."<ref name="PALGN"/>. While '']'' UK thought that the humor "isn't so much offensive or misogynistic as just suffering from an adolescent fixation with boobs and crowbarred-in innuendo. We say 'for the most part' with good reason, though". The same critic took issue with one sequence in which Duke encounters abducted women who have been forcibly impregnated with aliens, having to kill them before the alien's birth does so, finding it "doesn't mesh with the rest of the game's tone at all". This scene was received even more negatively elsewhere, being called "outright revolting" and turning Duke into a "thoroughly detestable psychopath" by ] and ] respectively.<ref name="Dest rev">http://www.destructoid.com/review-duke-nukem-forever-203658.phtml</ref><ref name="1up-review" /> ] noted that the game's multiplayer "Capture the babe" ] mode, involving "spanking a woman into submission," "really is as painful as it sounds."<ref name="joystiq-nelson review" /> Many critics also negatively responded to the character of Duke Nukem, declaring his decidedly one-dimensional personality juvenile and outdated compared to more recent video game heroes.


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" />
Many critics did note the long and fragmented development time as a major 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"/> ] however 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."


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>
The PR firm responsible for the game's publicity, ], reacted to these reviews in a statement on the corporation's Twitter account. This comment appeared to threaten to withdraw access to review copies of future titles for reviewers who had been highly critical of the game. ], head of the firm, later apologized for and retracted this comment, and the original tweet has been deleted.<ref>http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/06/duke-nukems-pr-threatens-to-punish-sites-that-run-negative-reviews.ars</ref> Despite the apologies, publisher 2K Games has officially dropped The Redner Group from representing its products.<ref>http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/35262/2K_Games_Drops_PR_Firm_Following_Duke_Nukem_Forever_Blackball_Threats.php</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/164488/20110617/duke-nukem-forever-pr-company-threatened-reviewers-got-fired-the-redner-group-2k-games-videogame-la.htm |title=Duke Nukem Forever PR company threatened reviewers, got fired |publisher=] |date=2011-06-17 |accessdate=2011-06-17}}</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>

===Sales===
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==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Cleanup-link rot|date=June 2011}}
<!-- <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> -->
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
<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>
<!-- <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> -->
<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>
<!--<ref name="gamesradar">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/games-that-changed-dramatically-after-their-e3-demo/ |title=Games that changed dramatically after their E3 demo |last=Roberts |first=David |date=June 10, 2016 |website=] |access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref>-->
<!--
<ref name="take2110218">{{cite web|author=TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE |url=http://classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/d853f429dd038ae1ca25759b0003557c/5aed2ea32b6af758ca2578300057efbb?OpenDocument |title=Classification Database – Duke Nukem Forever (MA 15+) |publisher=Classification.gov.au |access-date=February 18, 2011}}</ref>-->
<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>
<!--
<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>-->
}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website}}
{{Portal box|United States|Video games}}
* at ] website
*{{Official website|http://www.dukenukem.com}}
*{{IMDb title|363582}} * {{IMDb title|363582}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130202459/http://www.mobygames.com/game/duke-nukem-forever |date=January 30, 2018 }} at ]
* at ] web site
*Silverman, Dwight. "." '']''. May 25, 2011.


{{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

2011 video game
Duke Nukem Forever
North American cover art
Developer(s)Gearbox Software
Publisher(s)2K
Director(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mike Wardwell
  • Geoff Gordon
  • Matthew Newman
  • Brian Hook
Writer(s)
  • Valeta Wensloff
  • Kristen Haglund
  • David Riegel
Composer(s)Eric Von Rothkirch
SeriesDuke Nukem
EngineUnreal Engine (heavily modified as "Duke Engine")
Platform(s)
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
AggregatorScore
Metacritic(PC) 54/100
(PS3) 51/100
(X360) 49/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comF
Destructoid2/10
Edge3/10
Eurogamer3/10
Game Informer6.75/10
GamePro
GameRevolutionD+
GameSpot(PC) 3.5/10
(X360) 3/10
GameSpy
GamesRadar+6/10
GameTrailers5.4/10
IGN5.5/10
Joystiq
PALGN5/10
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

  1. Additional development by 3D Realms, Piranha Games and Triptych Games
  2. Published to Mac by Aspyr
  3. Duke Nukem Forever released in 2012 in Japan.

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  80. Patrick Perrault (June 6, 2022). "Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Restoration Mod Project Announced". TechRaptor. Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  81. Andrew Heaton (December 22, 2022). "Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Fan Restoration Project Is Out Now". Game Rant. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.

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