The mysterious "well-known videogame developer" behind new Duke Nukem series entry "Duke Begins" is Gearbox Software (Brothers in Arms, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Borderlands), Take-Two has revealed in court filings uncovered by Shacknews. Gearbox was named within Take-Two's answer to a counterclaim filed by series creator 3D Realms/Apogee Software Ltd. The increasingly complicated lawsuit sees publisher Take-Two going after 3D Realms for the incomplete state of the long-in-development shooter Duke Nukem Forever, with 3D Realms labeling the lawsuit as a "bully tactic."

Duke Begins emerged from a 2007 Agreement between 3D Realms and Take-Two, with development taking place at an external third party studio now known to be Gearbox. As part of the deal, 3D Realms received a $2.5 million advance to help fund... Read more

In an apparent effort to keep the Duke flame alive, 3D Realms has continued to release screenshots from its unfinished shooter Duke Nukem Forever on the Duke Nukem Facebook page, despite an impending court battle with publisher Take-Two.

It's difficult to muster any contemptuous or enthusiastic words for the images. They merely exist, another reminder of the sad saga that is DNF.

Though work on Duke Nukem Forever has largely stalled with the release of the vast majority of 3D Realms employee, development is said to be continuing. A new full-featured Duke title referred to as "Duke Begins" was being developed at an external studio, but was apparently halted in early April. Meanwhile, a trilogy of handheld Duke Nukem games and an iPhone port of Duke Nukem 3D are still in the works.

Thanks to Montykoro.

Duke Nukem series creator 3D Realms/Apogee Ltd. has responded to publisher Take-Two's lawsuit over the incomplete state of Duke Nukem Forever, revealing that 3DR is continuing to work on the long-delayed title alongside word that a previously unknown separate Duke game was in the works at a "well-known videogame developer."

The new effort, titled "Duke Begins," was part of the October 2007 Agreement that saw Take-Two provide 3D Realms with $2.5 million. That sum was paid July 2008 in order to "help fund the development of the DNF game," with 3D Realms having previously said the money was "in connection with another agreement for an unannounced game."

The Take-Two-published Duke Begins was slated for release by mid-2010, with development set to begin within 2 months of the October 2007 agreement and 3D Realms stating that it needed to approve "any changes to that... Read more

Update: 3D Realms/Apogee Ltd. founder Scott Miller has chimed in with his thoughts:

Do readers here realize that filed lawsuits are entirely one-sided statements, based on knee-deep BS and with more spin that[sic] a top?

3DR has been in nearly a dozen lawsuits (including against Warner and Fox). We're always innocent, and we always win. This one is no exception. Give it a year, then the truth will come out.

Original: More documents relevant to the ongoing courtroom drama between Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms/Apogee Ltd. and publisher Take-Two have been released, shedding new light on the circumstances that lead to the termination of the game's dev team and the subsequent lawsuit over the game's incomplete state.

The team handling the long-in-development shooter was let go on May 6, with 3D Realms later explaining that this stemmed from funding issues after negotiations with Take-Two fell through and the publisher made an "unacceptable" last minute proposal "to acquire the Duke Nukem franchise and the 3DR development team."

The court documents reveal that those negotiations were related to an Xbox 360 port of the anticipated game, which Apogee subsidiary 3D Realms was crafting for the PC.

In early 2009, Take-Two "solicited" 3D Realms to see if the studio could co-develop an Xbox 360 edition. In the following negotiations, 3D Realms apparently "demanded that Take-Two fully fund Apogee's reaching certain milestones" if it was... Read more

Several minutes of previously unreleased footage from 3D Realms' infamously unreleased shooter Duke Nukem Forever are now available courtesy of the Jace Hall Show.

The DNF segment begins at 6:33, while the footage starts up at 7:37. International viewers may be unable to watch the Crackle-hosted clip.

Click through to check out the video:... Read more

The remaining executives at Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms have responded to the charges levied against them by DNF publisher Take-Two, stating that 3DR never received funds from Take-Two for DNF until a payment in 2008.

3D Realms also sought to clarify reports that it had completely closed, saying that it is now planning to "regroup" as a company after spending nearly $20 million on the unfinished title in question.

"While 3DR is a much smaller studio now, we will continue to operate as a company and continue to license and co-create games based upon the Duke Nukem franchise," it said in a release.

"Take-Two never paid 3DR advances or any signing bonus or any other funds related to DNF, up until July 2008, at which time they paid $2.5m in connection with another agreement for an unannounced game," added the company. "This is the sum total Take-Two has paid 3DR in connection with DNF."

Take-Two filed suit against 3D Realms last week, claiming that it was owed "millions of dollars" after 3D Realms failed to finish DNF. The game had been in development for over 12 years until a "lack of funding" abruptly shut down production.

According to 3D Realms, Take-Two did eventually offer 3D Realms a "last minute" proposal to acquire the Duke Nukem franchise and the 3DR... Read more

Following the sudden shut down of Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms last week, rumors began to circulate that the studio had opted to close instead of selling the overall Duke Nukem property to publishing partner Take-Two for some $30 million. Now, 3D Realms co-founder Scott Miller has outright denied those rumors, telling Shacknews that the studio "would have taken this offer without hesitation" if it meant finishing DNF, indicating that the reality is "Not. Even. Close." to the rumors.

Responding to one reader that claimed they would have "sold the IP in a heart beat and created a new IP with that 30 million," Miller said "Hell, I would have also... Read more

The first legal documents filed by publisher Take-Two in its lawsuit against Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms have been released.

The documents amount to a call for a restraining order and a preliminary injunction, essentially a move to force 3D Realms to keep the Duke Nukem Forever assets intact during proceedings.

The order would force 3D Realms to "mantain and enforce all security measures necessary to preserve the integrity of [the Duke Nuke Forever source] code," as well as prevents them from "disclosing, distributing transfferring or selling...any proprietary information related to DNF."

Take-Two claims that it is owed "millions of dollars" by 3D Realms for breaking an agreement to finish the game. The publisher also requested a copy of the existing Duke Nukem Forever source and object code "to ensure the code is preserved and remains unharmed during the pendency of this lawsuit."

Meanwhile, 3D Realms co-founder Scott Miller last night issued... Read more

Update: Documents for the case have appeared online, revealing that, among other things, Take-Two is demanding a copy of the Duke Nukem Forever source code.

Original: Take-Two Interactive, publisher of Duke Nukem Forever, has filed suit against the remains of Apogee Ltd./3D Realms for failing to deliver the long-awaited title.

Take-Two claims that an agreement to finish the shooter was breached when 3D Realms shut down development last week. At the time of the studio's closing, Duke Nukem Forever had been in development for over 12 years.

"Apogee continually delayed the completion date for the Duke Nukem Forever," says Take-Two in the complaint, according to Bloomberg. "Apogee repeatedly assured Take-Two and the video-gaming community that it was diligently working toward competing development of the PC Version of the Duke Nukem Forever."

Take-Two paid $12 million to former DNF publisher Infogrames for the exclusive publishing rights to the game in 2000. According to the publisher, a second unspecified agreement was struck between Take-Two and 3D Realms in 2007.

Following the closure last week, Take-Two spokesman Alan Lewis confirmed that the publisher was not providing 3D Realms with "ongoing funds... Read more

"Maybe the one thing you can't say about Duke Nukem Forever is that it's been canceled," I wrote in the first edition of this short history of the game. Well, that's still true--to a point. 3D Realms may now exist only in name, but there has been no word on the final fate of Duke Nukem Forever. And why should there be? A fitting end would see the death of DNF drawn out for years.

Whether the game will eventually see the light of day or not, it's time now to pause once again and look back through history, all the way to 1996 and up to the present, in our updated account of the infamous game's development. ... Read more

When the news broke that Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms was shutting down, many fans were let down--perhaps moreso than if it had happened years ago.

The reason? After over 12 years in development, trailers were starting to find their way out again. Footage had been shown. Screenshots were released. Word from company executives lead many to believe that the final push had began.

And following the closing of the studio, new details seem to indicate this was the case. Leaked internal 3D Realms documents show that many of the game's levels were nearly finished.

But now the team at 3D Realms is no more, the employees already scattered due to a lack of funds. Does this leave any hope that Duke Nukem... Read more

Joining the already leaked assets and gameplay footage, more media from Duke Nukem Forever has emerged from now-defunct developer 3D Realms. [Screenshots and design documents removed at the request of a former 3D Realms staffer.]

First up, we have a variety of character models and enemy renders from ex-artist Mark Skelton. Be warned, some of the images are not work safe due to bare breasts.

Following that, some level art from former artist Chris DeSimone: ... Read more

Following the shut down of 3D Realms last week and subsequent asset leaks, an extended look at some Duke Nukem Forever gameplay footage has surfaced via Duke4.net and the demo reel of former 3D Realms artist Brian Brewer.

Being Duke, some of the footage is obviously not wholesome family viewing.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

The reel was not meant for public consumption, as Brewer's... Read more

3D Realms community manager Joe Siegler has updated the official company website with a photo of the team (seen left) and a simple goodbye.

"Thanks for being fans and for all your support," reads the short message.

Siegler tells us that the photo, taken today, preceded a team visit to the local cinema for a showing of Star Trek. A full 3D Realms staff page, once kept for internal use, has also been made public.

The news broke yesterday that after some 12 years of development on Duke Nukem Forever, 3D Realms had been forced to shut down due to funding issues.

While all 3D Realms employees have been let go, representatives have since confirmed that publisher Apogee Software is still in operation, and that Frontline Games' Duke Nukem Trilogy of handheld titles will make it to stores.

Whether we'll ever see a Duke Nukem Forever is another matter. Publisher Take-Two retains the publishing rights to the title, while 3D Realms, which owns the rights to the game and Duke IP, has made no signal as to its plans.

Either way, our sympathies again go out to the affected employees. Thanks for the memories, 3DR.

A number of images from now-closed developer 3D Realms' shooter Duke Nukem Forever have been posted by former employees of the company today. Chief among them are screenshots of DNF levels--apparently of the EDF base and an infested Hoover Dam--featured on the blog of former 3DR art director Tramell Isaac, seen above.

Concept art from artist Layne Johnson has also been added to his personal blog, showing more of the Aliens-inspired theme, in addition... Read more

Update 5: More images and some DNF gameplay footage have surfaced.

Update 4: Images from 3DR's Duke Nukem Forever have started to leak.

Update 3: 3D Realms webmaster Joe Siegler has commented on the shut down, stating: "It's not a marketing thing. It's true. I have nothing further to say at this time."

Siegler's post also reflects the unexpected nature of the situation, as he was unaware of the impending shut down during an interview conducted yesterday afternoon.

Update 2: Duke Nukem Forever publisher Take-Two has confirmed to Shacknews that it was not funding ongoing development of the 3D Realms project.

"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 VP of communications Alan Lewis in a prepared statement.

"In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever," he added.

Update: Apogee Software LLC and Deep Silver have issued a statement to Shacknews, confirming that the situation at 3D Realms has not affected the development of Frontline Games' upcoming handheld Duke Nukem Trilogy.

"Deep Silver and Apogee Software are not affected by the situation at 3D Realms," a representative for the companies told us. "Development on the Duke Nukem Trilogy is continuing as planned."

Original story: A very reliable source close to Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms today confirmed to Shacknews that the development studio has shut down.

The closure came about as a result of funding issues, our source... Read more

As a Christmas present to its stalwart fans, 3D Realms has released a new Duke Nukem Forever image (left), featuring several monsters from the upcoming shooter.

The last time we got a look at 3D Realms' infamously-delayed title was in September, after fans discovered several high-resolution shots hidden in the Xbox Live Arcade version of Duke Nukem 3D.

This new image comes just one day shy of the one-year anniversary of 2007's DNF teaser trailer, which debuted the game's updated look.

As usual, we don't have any new information on when the first-person shooter will make it to stores, or what platforms it will ship on. Rumors circulated earlier this year suggested that an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 version of the game might be in the works, alongside the obvious PC release.

Update: At long last, after a series of low-res pictures and Motorola KRZR-produced images, 3D Realms has officially released the two new Duke Nukem Forever shots. Original Story (9/26/08): Tucked away within this week's Xbox 360 release of Duke Nukem 3D were two new screenshots of 3D Realms' long-in-development sequel Duke Nukem Forever.

Available only upon earning all of the game's achievements, the screenshots can be found within the Duke Nukem 3D art gallery.

Thanks to 3DR forumite Steve and fansite Duke4.net for supplying better quality images of the new media prior to the official 3DR release.

Scott Faye, producer of the upcoming Max Payne film adaptation, is working on a Duke Nukem movie with Scott Miller, CEO of game series creator 3D Realms.

"As is the case with all of my game adaptations, I'd rather not make the movie than make a poor adaptation," Faye told Kotaku. He added, "I'm working at establishing a Duke film scenario that will compel a studio to finance a feature version. Certainly, there's a large audience that knows and loves this character."

According to the report, Miller's Radar Group will be involved in every step of the film's production. "Why go out of your way to acquire an [intellectual property] if you're not going to use as much of it as you can in the adaptation process?" Faye asked.

Details on the film were scant, but Faye promised to stay faithful to the series: "We're expanding Duke's 'storyverse' in a very significant major way without abandoning or negating any element that's being used to introduce Duke to the next gen platforms."

Faye also told Kotaku about Max Payne star Mark Wahlberg's interest in making a sequel as well as his method for video game adaptation, saying, "If I'm going to play a videogame based on a feature film, the last thing I want to do is play through the film narrative."

The Shacknews editorial staff humbly reminds readers that a Duke Nukem film is actually old news.

Developer 3D Realms continued its tradition of agonizingly sparse Duke Nukem Forever (PC) updates with a small, single screenshot (pictured left) of Duke in action, appearing on the studio's official website.

Discovered on an update to the 3D Realms careers page, the screenshot appears to depict Duke gripping a classic pipebomb from the original Duke Nukem 3D. The explosives were hinted at in recently released footage of the title, in which a device similar in shape to a pipebomb appeared in a drop-down weapon selection menu.

While more substantial footage and evidence of the game's decade-long development have been surfacing as of late, fans may recall the single screenshot released in January of last year, confirming 3D Realms' continued work on the game amidst murmurs of a possible cancellation.

Naturally, the developer has not yet specified a release date for Duke Nukem Forever. Rumors of possible PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the title in addition to PC have circulated since earlier this year.