Duke Nukem Forever development hell

Lore & Background

Initial development had begun at 3D Realms, but in 2009, 3D Realms was forced to lay off a number of its staff, and development of Duke Nukem Forever stalled. Take-Two Interactive, which was to publish the game, sued 3D Realms for failing to deliver, which was settled in 2010. Gearbox Software had close contact with many of the laid off 3D Realms staff and quietly hired them to continue its development as Triptych Games. 3D Realms sold the rights to Duke Nukem to Gearbox in 2010. The game was officially released on June 10, 2011.

In Their Own Story

The year is 2011. Duke Nukem, after years of waiting in a cryogenic chamber, awakens to find Earth overrun by aliens once again. The world has moved on without him—fast food is healthier, action heroes are wimps, and his catchphrases are considered passé. But Duke doesn't care. He cracks open a cold one, grabs a shotgun, and sets out to save the world his way, one crude one-liner at a time. The journey takes him from a ruined Las Vegas to alien motherships, all while the weight of a 14-year development cycle hangs over every pixel.

Reader's Guide

The source article does not provide a guide for Duke Nukem Forever.

Did You Know?

• Duke Nukem Forever was initially developed by 3D Realms, then by Gearbox Software and Triptych Games after the rights were sold in 2010.
• The game was announced in April 1997 and released in June 2011, after more than a decade of delays.
• The source article does not specify which game engines were used for Duke Nukem Forever.
• 3D Realms did not collapse; it laid off staff and halted development, and the IP was sold by 3D Realms to Gearbox in 2010.