3D Realms still alive, claims Take-Two accusations 'without merit'

by Ben Gilbert { May 18th 2009 at 6:40PM }

It's become clear as of late that Duke Nukem Forever has become a topic that we can't ignore. Today is no exception, with 3D Realms releasing its first public statement since the dissolving of the game's development team and saying that it's "not closed and is not closing." Though the developer admits Take-Two "retains publishing rights to the game [DNF]," it's positing an ability to "sell the game directly to the public."

Furthermore, the company is charging Take-Two with bully tactics for the way it has treated 3D Realms over the past year or so of negotiation. 3DR says Take-Two tried to force a "fire sale" out of the situation and due to this, 3DR left the table as of May 4. As the release pointedly notes, this was only two days before the news broke of the original events, and a flood of screenshots and video of the game was loosed on the public. Seems like we've got more litigation on our hands! Yeehaw!

Tags: 3d-realms, business, duke-nukem, duke-nukem-forever, geoff-keighley, lawsuit, litigation, take-two

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr Khan @ May 18th 2009 6:44PM

So it was a lie, a misunderstanding. What are we looking at?

Linkario @ May 18th 2009 8:07PM

The cake is a lie, if that is any consolation to you.

Jawmuncher @ May 18th 2009 6:45PM

Come on and just give me DNF already.

Duken Nukem 3D isn't cutting it anymore on XBLA

NaeemTHM @ May 18th 2009 6:47PM

Poor Duke Nukem Forever. If 3D Realms is not working on it, they're fighting over the rights to not work on it.

D_Average @ May 18th 2009 6:48PM

I couldn't agree with 3D Realms any more. What's the big deal if a game takes 10+ years? Even though the previous game wasn't all that great, Take Two should still trust these men and finance the project no matter how long it takes.

Linkario @ May 18th 2009 8:08PM

Damn there are some touchy, PMSing S.O.B.s on this site. I applaud you for your mockage of this situation.

Levi @ May 18th 2009 10:16PM

D, I have to say, I feel the opposite man. I don't really care that they took so long, bt most people do. And the last game was GREAT, as long as you're talking about Duke 3D.

D_Average @ May 19th 2009 9:47AM

"Oh uh! A dissenting opinion that's related to the post! Quick guys, fade em out!"

Pantsparty @ May 18th 2009 6:48PM

And the fiasco continues!

Seriously, They should try to make some games that they can put out. You can make money that way. Heck, They can just be Wii crap and you'll still make money!

zombiejesus @ May 18th 2009 6:52PM

no they shouldn't, no game should ever take 10+ years to complete with a team that large in the photo.

Quattro @ May 18th 2009 6:52PM

I feel bad for Take Two, the paid what, 12 million dollars to be able to publish this game, and its been 12 years and they still haven't seen any return on that money.

Marmot @ May 18th 2009 7:16PM

Well that floor's nice and couldn't have been cheap...

Shagittarius @ May 18th 2009 6:52PM

I hope Take-Two rips off their heads and shits down their necks.

Ignatius @ May 18th 2009 7:49PM

Seriously. It's been 13 years and 3DRealms is whining about Take Two using "bully tactics" to get a game out of them?

If I didn't pay my loan shark for 13 years, I'd have spent 12 of those years 6 feet under.

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 18th 2009 6:55PM

This train-wreck still has the ability to hold my attention! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

THE Ezio Auditore de Firenze (PSN slycooper_rocker) @ May 18th 2009 6:56PM

what? didn't a guy from 3d realms already confirm they went down? did their stocks of gum get replenished or something?

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 18th 2009 7:30PM

They got balls of steel.

FJ 2036 @ May 18th 2009 7:04PM

I really hope these guys got shut down, they should be sued. They " claimed " to be making DN: F for 10 YEARS... its pathetic. I fully support them being sued by take two, them spending all that money for a game they " claim " to be making for 10 YEARS is sad.

I hope they all remain jobless

DangerMouse @ May 18th 2009 7:26PM

Why are you so angry? Because you have one less game to play?

dabamf @ May 18th 2009 7:05PM

Duke still lives...he LIVES!!!

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 18th 2009 7:35PM

More like half alive...or half dead but that's relative to your own point of view.

Premature ejaculation man @ May 18th 2009 8:12PM

ZOMBIE DUKE!

mcatrage @ May 18th 2009 7:09PM

I hope the guy doesn't expect any sympathy from us.

Siggy @ May 18th 2009 7:14PM

Ahh 3D Realms, the Bernie Madoff of the gaming industry.

RudyHuxtable @ May 18th 2009 7:16PM

Just so I'm clear here:

You've been working on it for how long exactly?

VaultICEE @ May 18th 2009 7:16PM

Wait, sooo... 3D Realms is still alive, albeit no development team?

I'm so confused....

Roto13 @ May 18th 2009 7:19PM

What the f-

Sidebuster @ May 18th 2009 7:21PM

Hey as long as there is a chance for DNF to be released, I'm down for it.

FJ 2036 @ May 18th 2009 8:40PM

lol yeah sry I came off so angry, I just mean I think its right that there getting sued. Its like they took take twos money for 10 years.

Derwin @ May 18th 2009 9:04PM

Actually, according to 3DR's recent statement, they only received 2.5 million dollars from T2 starting in July of 2008. The rest of the money T2 is claiming went to GT Interactive and Infograms to buy the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever... money which never made its way to the hands of 3DR.

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 18th 2009 9:28PM

In other words they were ripping them off so fuck you 2k I'm not buying your games unless they are good and dirt cheap...so forget about me buying your mediocre games or your good game at full price unless the collector's swag is good which I dobut because you guys at 2K suck.

Debikul @ May 18th 2009 7:40PM

So, if 3DR can secure some funding then the Duke team could possibly get their jobs back?

Maybe if that happens they will be like "Oh man, that was close. I think we should actually finish the game a make more money so we can develop another title for two decades instead of one."

Good luck 3DR.

Robobagins @ May 18th 2009 7:52PM

3D Realms should be ashamed of themselves.

Really not only is there a list of things that happened during DNFs development (http://duke.a-13.net/) there is a list of things that happened since THAT list came into existence. (http://blag.xkcd.com/2009/05/07/duke-nukem-forever/).

Good god, this game should be retitled Schrödinger's Duke Nukem Forever. Because we will never know if this game is dead or alive till someone peeks in the box.

AstarothReborn @ May 18th 2009 10:16PM

From the linked statement: "Take-Two’s proposal was unacceptable to 3DR for many reasons, including [...] no guarantee to complete the DNF game."

*3D Realms* was demanding someone else guarantee DNF would be completed as a condition of selling it? I laughed so hard I got complaints from next door...

Dave @ May 18th 2009 9:25PM

I'd rather see Duke Nukem Forever still alive instead of 3D Realms.

Ameen @ May 18th 2009 9:29PM

Btw guys, a 3D Realms employee has confirmed that about 80% of the game's assets have been done, NOT 80 % of the game, moreover, the video leaked out was from a few months ago, and gameplay and graphics have been tweaked since then, Its our wish that this game gets released for it would be a game worth playing in this sea of "Realistic-Crap" of games that we're currently getting.

For More info: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=97701010831

(Content & info provided by Ex-3DRealms Devs themselves)

Btw, we've been having a "Movement" of sorts to get this game out, here's the petition page of it, http://www.petitiononline.com/duke4eva/petition.html

We just hope that DNT ain't Duke Nukem's Swansong !

Daniel @ May 19th 2009 12:26AM

all publicity stnt built up to remind us how long it took to get this game watch them announce a date at e3

Derek @ May 19th 2009 2:07AM

I agree

ecco6t9 @ May 19th 2009 2:46AM

3D Realms lost any say in anything about 5 years ago.

avan @ May 19th 2009 7:33AM

This is bullshit, if that's true then why some of their artist said that and i quote "with the closing of 3d Realms and Duke Nukem" and started showing their stuff all over the net to try to score a job?

nick @ May 19th 2009 8:50AM

The whole ordeal is odd. First 3D Realms says they're out of business. Take Two comes out of the wood work and says they didn't finance the game, but they own the publishing rights. Then Take Two later says they did finance the game, and will pursue the source code through litigation because of it. 3D Realms contends they didn't get any money from Take Two. Then we the learn 3D Realms isn't out of business and work on the game continues. What is going on?!