In hindsight 3D Realms could not have chosen a more ironic title for its ill-fated Duke Nukem: Forever (Other than Duke Nukem: Never, perhaps).
It looks as though the game which will forever be remembered for spending an inordinate amount of time stuck in ‘development hell’ has found its final resting place; tied up in court and swamped in legal documents.
Initial reports began rolling in that the studio responsible for Duke Nukem: Forever, 3D Realms, was closing down due to financial problems. Shortly thereafter a series of screenshots as well as a gameplay video emerged. Publisher Take – Two then reportedly offered 3D Realms $30million for the existing Duke Nukem: Forever code, an offer which the stubborn developer refused.
Take – Two then filed a law suit against 3D Realms. Throughout the case a series of legal details have been leaked which in truth only added to the confusion.
The court case has been trudging along, with gamers caring less and less by the day. However, the most recent detail to surface is one that may appeal to hardened Duke fans that are still hoping for the day that a modern realization of the 90s icon is delivered.
According to legal documents dug up by Shacknews, an agreement signed in 2007 between 3D Realms and Take-Two included details regarding another Duke Nukem game being developed by a third-party game studio.
The third- party studio is none other than Gearbox, the developer behind games such as Brothers in Arms and the upcoming Borderlands. The game in question is ‘Duke Nukem: Begins’.
Take – Two has admitted that development on Duke Nukem: Begins has been halted for now, the publisher denies that the game has been canceled, and goes on to say that work can continue on the game at any time without Apogee/3D Realms’ consent.
This means that while Duke Nukem: Forever may live on eternally as one of gaming’s greatest disappointments, Duke Nukem: Begins may just be the fresh start that the franchise needs to get back on its feet.
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