New Duke Nukem Game Revealed - briefly
(hx) 11:59 PM CEST - Jun,22 2009
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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 3D Realms 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.' However, 3D Realms claims, Take
Two/2K Games ordered work halted on Duke Begins in April 2009,something
which 3D Realms says Take Two has denied.
Development was due to be completed by mid-2010, but was mysteriously
suspended in April 2009. 3D Realms alleges that Take Two cancelled the
game to restrict 3D Realms' income, giving Take Two the ability to
purchase the Duke Nukem rights at a lower cost because 3D Realms would
be desperate for any cash to keep their studio afloat, especially as
they would be unable to repay the $2,500,000 royalty advance due 2012.
Amid its rebuttals, 3D Realms also revealed that they've pumped over
$20,000,000 of their own money into Duke Nukem Forever's development,
which is presumably on top of the advances they received. To put that
figure in perspective, Grand Theft Auto IV cost around $100,000,000,
Halo 3 $30,000,000, and Killzone 2 $40,000,000. Difference being, the
aforementioned games had publishers funding development, whereas 3D
Realms has flown solo for the past thirteen years to retain complete
control of intellectual property rights. Interestingly, 3D Realms
claims that development continues on Duke Nukem Forever, but with what
staff and what cash remains unclear.
Heh! This reminds me of that Duke Nukem hunting game that was to be made by Action Forms. It was announced in early 2001 and cancelled by the end of the same year.
Surprisingly, 3D Realms explicitly notes that it continues to work on "the development of" Duke Nukem Forever, though "it released the majority of its employees working on the development" because of a "lack of funding to sustain the high level of development." |
Updated:09:24 AM CEST Apr,21
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