The popular video-game character Duke Nukem may have saved the planet in the first three games in the “Duke Nukem” franchise, but even Duke couldn’t fight off bankruptcy. According to BBC News, 3D Realms, the software company behind the games, has closed due to lack of funds.
Founded in 1987, the firm was a leader in the the concept of shareware gaming and published the seminal Duke Nukem and Wolfenstein 3D first-person shooters. The company had a huge hit with the 3-D shooter, “Duke Nukem 3-D” which allowed users to strafe and jump for the first time within the 3-D shooter environmnent.
The company was working on a follow-up title, Duke Nukem Forever, which after being in development for 12 years has become the object of industry derision.
Publisher Take-Two says it will no longer fund development of the game but retains rights to the title.
“We can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title,” said Take-Two’s Alan Lewis in a statement.
There has been no official comment from 3D Realms, other than a forum posting from the company’s webmaster, Joe Siegler, who said: “It’s not a marketing thing. It’s true. I have nothing further to say at this time.”
Other companies with links to 3D Realms or the Duke Nukem series were quick to distance themselves.
I feel bad about this, but i mean seriously, 12 years and they werent able to finish this game, i was truethfully looking forward to this game a lot, but i this is rediculious. im not surprised their funds are cut short, it didnt seem like they were coming out with anything. but damn…i wish they released something, even if it was unfinished, even if they cut it short like a bad “to be continued” scene at the end so they could get money for the sequal, anything, its supposed to be so good, but nothing is realeased! *sigh*
Well, I’m surprised anyone still thought that game was ever gonna make it. I wasn’t surprised by the turn of events that have transpired lately. 12 years and no product is not a healthy was of running a business. Since the legal proceedings will most likely drag out, I think it’s safe to say that DNF is now buried.
Hey, guess what comes out on May 3rd, 2011?
Hey, guess what won’t come out on May 3rd, 2011, but on June 10th?