Duke Nukem Forever
Duke Nukem Forever | |
---|---|
File:Duke Nukem Forever Box art.jpg | |
Developer(s) | 3D Realms (1997–2009)
Triptych Games[2] (July 2009[3]–) in collaboration[4] with: Gearbox Software (2009[5]–) multiplayer[6] and console ports[7] by: |
Publisher(s) | GT Interactive (1997–1999) Gathering of Developers (1999–2001) Take-Two Interactive (2001–2009) 2K Games[8] (2010–) |
Designer(s) | George Broussard |
Series | Duke Nukem |
Engine | Modified Unreal Engine 2.5 |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
Release | |
Genre(s) | First-person shooter, Science fiction |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Duke Nukem Forever is an upcoming first-person shooter video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 currently in development by Gearbox Software, and a sequel to the 1996 game Duke Nukem 3D, as part of the long-running Duke Nukem video game series.
Development
Intended to be groundbreaking, Duke Nukem Forever has become infamous in the video games industry and become synonymous with vaporware due to its severely-protracted development schedule; the game has been in development since 1997. Originally in development under 3D Realms, director George Broussard, one of the creators of the original Duke Nukem game, first announced the title's development in April 1997, and promotional information for the game was released in one form or another from 1997 to 2008.
After repeatedly announcing and deferring release dates, 3D Realms announced in 2001 that it would be released simply "when it's done". In May 2009, 3D Realms was downsized for financial reasons, resulting in the loss of the game's development team. Statements by the company indicated that the project was due to go gold soon with pictures of final development. Take-Two Interactive, which owns the publishing rights to the game, filed a lawsuit in 2009 against 3D Realms over their failure to finish development. 3D Realms retorted that Take-Two's legal interest in the game is limited to their publishing right. The case was settled with prejudice and details undisclosed in May 2010. On September 3, 2010, after 13 years, Duke Nukem Forever was officially reported by 2K Games to be in development at Gearbox Software.[10] It was originally confirmed to be released on May 3, 2011 in North America, with a worldwide release following on May 6, 2011.[11] This has however been delayed by a month to June 10 internationally with a North American release on June 14.[12]
Press coverage
Wired News has awarded Duke Nukem Forever its Vaporware Award several times. It placed second in June 2000 and topped the list in 2001 and 2002.[13][14][15] Wired created the Vaporware Lifetime Achievement Award exclusively for DNF and awarded it in 2001. George Broussard accepted the award, simply stating, "We're undeniably late and we know it."[16] In 2004, the game did not make the top 10; Wired editors said that they had given DNF the Lifetime Achievement Award to get it off of the list.[17] However, upon readers' demands, Wired changed its mind, and DNF won first place in 2005, 2006, and 2007.[18][19][20] In 2008, Wired staff officially considered removing DNF from their annual list, citing that "even the best jokes get old eventually", only to reconsider upon viewing the handheld camera footage of the game in The Jace Hall Show, awarding the game with first place once again.[21] In 2009, Wired published Wired News' Vaporware Awards 2009:[22] Duke Nukem Forever was excluded from consideration on the grounds that the project was finally dead.[23] Duke made a comeback with an unprecedented 11th place award on Wired's 2010 Vaporware list.[24]
Duke Nukem Forever has drawn a number of jokes related to its development timeline. The video gaming media and public in general have routinely suggested several names in place of Forever, calling it "Never", "(Taking) Forever", "Whenever", "ForNever", "Neverever", and "If Ever".[18] The game has also been ridiculed as Duke Nukem: Forever In Development, "Either this is the longest game ever in production or an elaborate in-joke at the expense of the industry".[25]
When the GameSpy editors compiled a list of the "Top 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming History" in June 2003, Duke Nukem Forever placed #18.[26]
Jason Hall, host of The Jace Hall Show, featured Duke Nukem Forever in the show's premiere episode on June 4, 2008 and described his hands-on play experience with the game as "perfect", ending the segment with "I saw it. They have been working. It's not a myth. You're going to be pleased."[27] In a subsequent interview with 1UP.com, he described the game as "amazing" with the summation, "This might be the only game in history worth waiting 12 years for, perhaps longer.... It was good."[28]
Promotion
Retail version
A special limited Collector's Edition will be available upon release called "Balls of Steel Edition" for all platforms. This version will include a five-inch bust[29] of Duke Nukem, a 100-page hardcover artbook following the development of the game, postcards, sticker, a comic book, playing cards, dice, poker chips and foldable papercraft, and with every item being marked with the Duke Nukem Forever logo. [30] [31] Another edition called the "King Edition" was made available exclusively for pre-order from EB Games in Australia and New Zealand. It comes with bonus Ego Boost DLC, Duke Playing Cards and Duke Bubblegum.[32]
Controversy
On March 26 2011, vice president of the Women's Media Center Jamia Wilson said that the 'Capture the Babe' mode where players can choose to spank women on the buttocks while abducting them is "extremely harmful." She said about the series "It was offensive then and it's even more offensive now," to Fox News. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said to Xbox Magazine in an interview about the game "Our goal isn't to shock people, but I think there's some stuff that'll be just a bit uncomfortable," he said. "We try to get right up to that edge and then relax enough so people don't reject it."[33][34][35]
References
- ^ a b Robert Purchese. "Gearbox delays Duke Nukem Forever". Eurogamer.
- ^ Ex 3d Realms software developers web site who continued to work on DNF http://www.triptychgames.com/
- ^ http://www.dukenukemforever.com/html/us/community/transcripts/transcript2.html
- ^ George Broussard (September 3, 2010). "Duke Nukem Forever Hands-on Preview (comment from [[George Broussard]])". Retrieved February 11, 2011.
Triptych Games which continued the game for us through all of 2009 and into 2010 with Gearbox. Triptych is made up of 9 3DR employees who refused to let the game go and we found a way through the legal maze to keep them working on the game and to keep the game alive. They have been the development force for the last year that's made the game possible. What you see coming from PAX right now is what we originally made at 3DR with polish and additional work by Triptych and assistance from Gearbox
{{cite web}}
: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Hackersho, Yu Yu (September 3, 2010). "''We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago''". Gameinformer.com. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Duke Nukem Forever Interview with Gearbox Software". AusGamers.com. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ http://www.dukenukemforever.com/html/us/community/transcripts/transcript2.html
- ^ 2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history... "Press Release: Duke Nukem Forever Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum". DukeNukem.com. January 21, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
- ^ "Duke Nukem Forever PC system requirements posted". New Game Network. 3 May 2011. Retrieved 03-05-2011.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ Jessica Citizen (September 4, 2010). "Duke Nukem Forever confirmed!". Retrieved September 4, 2010.
- ^ Jeff Cork (January 21, 2011). "Exclusive: Duke Nukem Forever Has A Release Date". GameInformer. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
- ^ Andy Robinson (March 24, 2011). "Duke Nukem Forever delayed again (really)". Retrieved March 24, 2010.
- ^ Kahney, Leander. "Vaporware 2000: Missing Inaction". December 27, 2000. Wired News.
- ^ Manjoo, Farhad. "Vaporware 2001: Empty Promises". January 7, 2002. Wired News.
- ^ Vaporware Team. "Vaporware 2002: Tech Up in Smoke?". Wired News. January 3, 2003.
- ^ Vaporware Team Null. "Vaporware: Nuke 'Em if Ya Got 'Em". Wired News. January 20, 2004.
- ^ Vaporware Team. "Vaporware Phantom Haunts Us All". January 7, 2005. Wired News.
- ^ a b Kahney, Leander. "Vaporware: Better Late Than Never". Wired News. February 6, 2006.
- ^ Calore, Michael. "Vaporware '06: Return of the King". Wired News. December 27, 2006.
- ^ Calore, Michael. "Vaporware '07: Long Live the King". Wired News. December 20, 2007.
- ^ Wired Staff. "Vaporware 2008: Crushing Disappointments, False Promises and Plain Old BS". Wired News. December 29, 2008.
- ^ Michael Calore (December 21, 2009). "Vaporware 2009: Inhale the Fail'". Wired Magazine.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Michael Calore (December 7, 2009). "Vaporware 2009: A Call for Submissions'". Wired Magazine.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
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(help) - ^ Michael Calore (January 3, 2011). "Vaporware 2010: The Great White Duke". Wired Magazine.
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(help) - ^ Walbank, Mark. "Feature: The Most Delayed Games". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
- ^ "Never Bet on the Duke". Top 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming History. GameSpy. June 10, 2003.
- ^ "The Jace Hall Show". Retrieved June 4, 2008.
- ^ "Jason Hall Discusses His New Online Show". Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ http://forums.2kgames.com/showthread.php?104345-Balls-of-Steel-Edition-of-Duke-Nukem-Forever-CONFIRMED!&p=1344894#post1344894
- ^ JC Fletcher. "Duke Nukem Forever 'Balls of Steel' Edition: Is this some kind of bust?". Joystiq.
- ^ Andy Chalk. "2K Announces Duke Nukem Forever Balls of Steel Edition". The Escapist.
- ^ http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/Duke-Nukem-Forever-King-Editio
- ^ "Video Game's 'Capture the Babe' Mode Has Players Slapping Women". Fox.
- ^ "Duke Nukem Forever "Slaps" Up Controversy On Its Portrayal Of Women". Daily Planet Dispatch.
- ^ "Is Duke Nukem Forever a throwback to gaming's sexist past?". Guardian.
External links
- Official website
- Duke Nukem Forever News Archive at 3D Realms web site