Duke Nukem 3D Remake Put on Indefinite Hold
The non-commercial remake of Duke Nukem 3D has been put on hold indefinitely thanks to a conflict between the developer and Gearbox.
As we've witnessed with Duke Nukem Forever, the term "forever" doesn't always mean forever even though it certainly feels like forever. The Duke Nukem 3D sequel seemed like it was in development for generations -- or rather, forever -- when in fact it was chopped up and tossed around for a measly 14 years. Unfortunately, fans looking forward to the "Reloaded" remake of the original Duke Nukem 3D game may end up actually waiting forever, as the fan-based revision has been put on indefinite hold.
Indefinite. Forever. Seemingly the same thing.
"After careful consideration of the progress and direction of the project, Interceptor Entertainment has decided to finish Duke Nukem: Reloaded at a future date that is yet to be determined," the developer said on Saturday. "Interceptor Entertainment still has the good will and non commercial license provided to us to use the Duke Nukem brand for our creative ambitions. We hope to resume that work again when the time is right."
As reported earlier, this revision is/was a non-commercial, fan-based overhaul of the classic shooter using Epic's Unreal Engine 3. It even received a green light from Gearbox Software itself almost a year ago. But now it seems that Gearbox and Interceptor aren't quite seeing eye-to-eye on the project, so it's been tossed aside indefinitely.
"We are around 90-percent finished with the current Multiplayer version – but you have to remember that we don’t own the game," Reloaded’s project lead clarified in a forum post. "It’s done under a signed license with Gearbox Software, which ultimately means that we cannot do whatever we want with the project.
He goes on to add that there are some conditions which the team can’t live with [in] the license and agreement. "Because of this, we have decided to put the project on hold," he added. "This might change in the future – it all depends on what Gearbox decides to do after the DNF DLC has been released."
"We don't have a problem with a media blackout, but when the license doesn't secure us a release, we can't justify spending so much time with the development, knowing that it might never see the light of the day," he said in a later post. "That decision is not ours - it's Gearbox Software's. And at this given moment, we were unable to come to an agreement concerning a release of the game."
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Sounds like another Duke Nukem project in limbo. Boo hiss.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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RabidFace Not that I was following the remake, do remember seeing this a little while ago.Reply
I am quite sad :'(
Just wonder what the conflicts are and why it has been put in "limbo".
This screen shot alone makes me want a complete remake of DN3D. But now it seems like it will never be a reality. We can only hope. -
alidan can someone elaborate on what they couldn't come to terms with?Reply
colossal dick move on gear box if they are holding them back for dnf though. -
Goldengoose It's just too painful... Leave duke to rest in piece and stop prodding him with sticks!Reply -
plasmastorm There's already a totally free D3D out there, all you need is your original Duke 3d game files.Reply
It aint the greatest, would compare it to quake 2 engine but certainly makes it fun to play again. -
bennaye Vapourware put on indefinite hold...Reply
Mate, you can't vapourise vapour. You'd have nothing left.
Vague metaphors aside, just stop developing the franchise. After DN3, no one really expects anything from you anymore, and any money spent on it is money wasted. Sure, you have your hardcore fanbase out there, but that's a tiny portion of the fans you ha(d)ve. DN3 had expectations set too high, and we should leave it at that. -
Burodsx Just hope they come to an agreement before the graphics on the remake are out-dated...Reply -
reggieray Who cares, tried the Demo of the latest Duke and it was pretty sad. Maybe if they used the new id Software Tech 5 engine and put a good story behind it with a RPG element to it....Reply -
gsxrme DUKE NUKEM: FOREVER is so.... crappy and a waste of money the engine sucked, The game play sucked, the story sucked!Reply
and finally someone using the unreal3 engine to remake the old game is going to remake the original is halted!
Gearbox you company sucks. You're company should close it's doors and the building should be leveled for this!