Internet Stuuffs

Is Duke Nukem Forever Close to Release?

Have you ever been watching a movie when you just know that the good guy is about to rise up in the face of the opposition and win the day? Well this Take-Two / 3D Realms media circus over Duke Nukem Forever is starting to give me that feeling.

It all started on May 6th when 3D Realms announced it was shutting down and Take-Two released a statement reminding gamers that they retained the rights to the DNF game. This was followed by a flurry of screenshots and rumors about the now doomed DNF game, a logical beginning to any games release. The material was all ‘leaked’ by now ex-employees at 3D Realms

Then Take-Two filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms in New York where Take-Two is headquartered. This actually did occur and the records for the N.Y. Supreme Court actually show the documents against Apogee Software Ltd. (which is 3D Realms). You can find those documents yourself here: Take Two vs. Apogee Software
or search the NY database here: http://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/webcivil/

Then today (May 18th) 3D Realms sent out a press release (via shacknews) which states that they are still in business but that they “let go” the DNF development team. In the same release 3D Realms claims they were never paid for the long delayed DNF development until just a few months ago, which would seem odd that after being paid they shut the project down. They also refer to the lawsuit claim from Take-Two and use strong words about how it makes them feel.

While this might seem like normal bickering between feuding companies there are a few odd things that arise out of this. Here are some questions that come to mind:

• If Take-Two wants to still pubish DNF why is the project shut down?
• Why did Take-Two pay $2.5 million for project development that is canceled a month and a half later? After 12 years of waiting? That doesnt feel right.
• Why is all the press going through ShackNews first?
• Why was the court filing so wimpy, lacking teeth and substance? It would seem Take-Two and 3D Realms would have some sort of contract that directed where assets would go in case of a project cancellation.. the court filings make no mention of it.
• Why are we still hearing about DNF?

Sure I guess this could all be normal business relations, but look a little deeper. All of this back and forth has caused a ton of interest in Duke Nukem Forever again. Media all over the internet is covering it, and last we heard the game was close to release, some guy on crackle was even invited to 3D Realms to look at it. You can’t buy this kind of publicity… or can you? Keep your fingers crossed late 20’s-early 30’s duke nukem fans I think we’re about to get our long awaited game.

Update: Please note. There is not a SINGLE press release on Take-Two’s website relating to 3D Realms or Duke Nukem Forever. http://ir.take2games.com/releases.cfm