Zelnick planning on more Duke Nukem, figuring out tablet gaming
38
Tuesday 21 June
I've had all scales removed from Take-Two HQ since becoming CEO. I have too much work to do and I can't be checking my buffness at every water fountain and copy machine (all of which had scale attachments). I do still check it after workouts and after a good cry, when I consume a pint of Chunky Monkey while reading Duke Nukem Forever reviews.
Food consumed today: Don't know, trying to stay relaxed and groovy as CEO. Get in touch with my inner artist. Do I eat? Did I eat? Am I eating now? I don't know and I'm trying not to care.
Morning. The light glistened off the Chrysler Building in such a magnificent way I grabbed a street artist to paint me a picture of it. New York.
Hey Diary,
Trying to stay cool and hip in this CEO gig. I get into my office every morning, lock the door, pull the shades and just shake out all my negative energies for a minute. It's helping with some highs and lows I've experienced in my first six months.
Spoke to Forbes at E3. Told them that we're going to do more Duke Nukem in the future -- of course, that was before the manure got put on the sauna heater -- but Randino Pitchford already said we would, so I'll go with that.
See, Diary... I'm just going with it. Relaxed. We have certain projects we want done, but like I told Forbes: "What we have stopped well short of is having a discussion with the creative team, saying 'Even though you think this is a stupid idea, do it anyway.' We try not to have conversations like that."
Speaking of which, we gotta get on that tablet train and make it work. GTA: Chinatown Wars for iPhone worked creatively but it wasn't "economically meaningful." We gotta figure out a way to charge real money for real games on portable devices.
Sorry to get all biz on you Diary, much love,
Straussel
I've had all scales removed from Take-Two HQ since becoming CEO. I have too much work to do and I can't be checking my buffness at every water fountain and copy machine (all of which had scale attachments). I do still check it after workouts and after a good cry, when I consume a pint of Chunky Monkey while reading Duke Nukem Forever reviews.
Food consumed today: Don't know, trying to stay relaxed and groovy as CEO. Get in touch with my inner artist. Do I eat? Did I eat? Am I eating now? I don't know and I'm trying not to care.
Morning. The light glistened off the Chrysler Building in such a magnificent way I grabbed a street artist to paint me a picture of it. New York.
Hey Diary,
Trying to stay cool and hip in this CEO gig. I get into my office every morning, lock the door, pull the shades and just shake out all my negative energies for a minute. It's helping with some highs and lows I've experienced in my first six months.
Spoke to Forbes at E3. Told them that we're going to do more Duke Nukem in the future -- of course, that was before the manure got put on the sauna heater -- but Randino Pitchford already said we would, so I'll go with that.
See, Diary... I'm just going with it. Relaxed. We have certain projects we want done, but like I told Forbes: "What we have stopped well short of is having a discussion with the creative team, saying 'Even though you think this is a stupid idea, do it anyway.' We try not to have conversations like that."
Speaking of which, we gotta get on that tablet train and make it work. GTA: Chinatown Wars for iPhone worked creatively but it wasn't "economically meaningful." We gotta figure out a way to charge real money for real games on portable devices.
Sorry to get all biz on you Diary, much love,
Straussel
Reader Comments (38)
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:08AM Rubbishy Me said
Think they should let him go it would be what he wanted :(
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:20AM Dance Mofo said
@Rubbishy Me I disagree. Can't let this one game be the end of all ends of the legendary Duke Nukem, Let 'em go out on a good note. :)
Reply
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:13AM Red Runner said
...always bet on...Zelnick?
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:13AM The Cole Train said
Hopefully a new Duke that Gearbox makes themselves from the ground up, will actually be decent.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 2:11PM Duke said
@The Cole Train
Yeah, but I dunno if the gamers will still be interested. I see by the reviews and online comments that a lot of us (who Duke Nukem formed part of early gaming for) have all grown up. His formula just isn't as funny and entertaining as before. So, I have trouble believing that they will make him relevant IP again.
Reply
Yeah, but I dunno if the gamers will still be interested. I see by the reviews and online comments that a lot of us (who Duke Nukem formed part of early gaming for) have all grown up. His formula just isn't as funny and entertaining as before. So, I have trouble believing that they will make him relevant IP again.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 2:43PM TheShaper said
@Duke
I know I'm interested. All the negative press put me off for this Duke. I don't know, maybe it was nostalgia, but the first time I saw the game intro where Duke's pissing I was really excited (yeah, a guy pisses and I get excited, call me a freak if you want). But after reading all I've read and seeing I've seen, I think I'll pass on this one. But I still would like to see a 21st Duke Nuken FPS.
Reply
I know I'm interested. All the negative press put me off for this Duke. I don't know, maybe it was nostalgia, but the first time I saw the game intro where Duke's pissing I was really excited (yeah, a guy pisses and I get excited, call me a freak if you want). But after reading all I've read and seeing I've seen, I think I'll pass on this one. But I still would like to see a 21st Duke Nuken FPS.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:17AM (Unverified) said
I can't wait to play the next Duke Nukem game in 2018!
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:18AM (Unverified) said
@(Unverified) In hindsight, it will probably be more around 2023
Reply
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:19AM (Unverified) said
@(Unverified) Also, why am I still unverified?
I've only been a joystiq member since 2009
Reply
I've only been a joystiq member since 2009
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:45AM (Unverified) said
@(Unverified)
Yeah I don't understand why I'm unverified either. I can't even delete this account and remake it. Do something about this Joystiq!
Reply
Yeah I don't understand why I'm unverified either. I can't even delete this account and remake it. Do something about this Joystiq!
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 12:03PM Mal F4cti0n said
@(Unverified)
Well, after 14 years of development, we will be talking 2025....which is just four years before an asteroid the size of Manhattan is set to fly between Earth and our satellites. Maybe the pigmen will come down and we will be playing Duke Nukem: The Manhattan Sized Asteroid Project in real life.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/13may_2004mn4/
On April 13, 2029, asteroid 2004 MN4 will fly past Earth only 18,600 miles (30,000 km) above the ground. For comparison, geosynchronous satellites orbit at 22,300 miles (36,000 km). "At closest approach, the asteroid will shine like a 3rd magnitude star, visible to the unaided eye from Africa, Europe and Asia--even through city lights," says Jon Giorgini of JPL. This is rare. "Close approaches by objects as large as 2004 MN4 are currently thought to occur at 1000-year intervals, on average."
Reply
Well, after 14 years of development, we will be talking 2025....which is just four years before an asteroid the size of Manhattan is set to fly between Earth and our satellites. Maybe the pigmen will come down and we will be playing Duke Nukem: The Manhattan Sized Asteroid Project in real life.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2005/13may_2004mn4/
On April 13, 2029, asteroid 2004 MN4 will fly past Earth only 18,600 miles (30,000 km) above the ground. For comparison, geosynchronous satellites orbit at 22,300 miles (36,000 km). "At closest approach, the asteroid will shine like a 3rd magnitude star, visible to the unaided eye from Africa, Europe and Asia--even through city lights," says Jon Giorgini of JPL. This is rare. "Close approaches by objects as large as 2004 MN4 are currently thought to occur at 1000-year intervals, on average."
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 1:59PM Rubbishy Me said
I was absolutely gutted when the game came out. It just felt out dated. You know what? If they release it in a reasonable time-scale the sequel may be a good game.
Reply
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:36AM Mmmmz said
i don't really understand the vitriol surrounding DNF. I mean the game simply isn't offensive because it's so childish and the Hive part is tamer than the Species movie series, which borders on soft porn half the time. It clearly was inspired from Alien and Species, so BFD.
The real problem is that it's a $10-$20 game being sold for full price. It's not a good game but it's not an awful game, either. I mean, it's half decent and the levels had some heart in them.
Of course, I didn't buy it (borrowed for a day) so I guess if I had bought it, I'd be a lot less forgiving. But again, I don't see most people comment on the price issue, just that it "sucks" with little objectivity.
The real problem is that it's a $10-$20 game being sold for full price. It's not a good game but it's not an awful game, either. I mean, it's half decent and the levels had some heart in them.
Of course, I didn't buy it (borrowed for a day) so I guess if I had bought it, I'd be a lot less forgiving. But again, I don't see most people comment on the price issue, just that it "sucks" with little objectivity.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:46AM LENSconcept said
@Mmmmz
i just rented it last night and played it for a few hours. my main complaint is that it would be okay had it been released as an original xbox launch title. but it wasn't...it was released in 2011 only a few month after killzone 3 and halo: reach (which was more than a few months) and at the same price. IMO, gearbox should've just broken down everything but the concept art and storyline and just started fresh. buuut..they didn't.. i was initially excited for DNF, but having played it, i can easily say it's the worst FPS for it's time that i've seen in many a year.
Reply
i just rented it last night and played it for a few hours. my main complaint is that it would be okay had it been released as an original xbox launch title. but it wasn't...it was released in 2011 only a few month after killzone 3 and halo: reach (which was more than a few months) and at the same price. IMO, gearbox should've just broken down everything but the concept art and storyline and just started fresh. buuut..they didn't.. i was initially excited for DNF, but having played it, i can easily say it's the worst FPS for it's time that i've seen in many a year.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:56AM deedubbadoo said
@LENSconcept
Pretty sure part of the agreement of the IP buyout with 3DRealms was that DNF was to be finished and released by Gearbox. They weren't really given the choice of starting over from scratch. At the end of the day, it was a fun game like I expected with some shortcomings, but I definitely look forward to a ground-up Gearbox Duke Nukem reboot.
Reply
Pretty sure part of the agreement of the IP buyout with 3DRealms was that DNF was to be finished and released by Gearbox. They weren't really given the choice of starting over from scratch. At the end of the day, it was a fun game like I expected with some shortcomings, but I definitely look forward to a ground-up Gearbox Duke Nukem reboot.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 12:04PM Mmmmz said
@Mmmmz I should clarify before I get pounced, by levels having some heart, I meant some attention to detail. Not design or fun. Just some random details thrown in that showed some care was in the game at some point. Unfortunately the detail to making them unique and fun to play was largely ignored.
Reply
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 3:03PM FriedConsole said
@Mmmmz
I like it so far. I don't play that many FPS games anymore so I don't compare it to the others. I like the simplicity of it all especially online. No stupid ridiculous amounts of layouts and tactics needed. Just open maps to shoot each other. It's awesome buy I have a lot of nostalgia for Duke.
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I like it so far. I don't play that many FPS games anymore so I don't compare it to the others. I like the simplicity of it all especially online. No stupid ridiculous amounts of layouts and tactics needed. Just open maps to shoot each other. It's awesome buy I have a lot of nostalgia for Duke.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 8:08PM Irem said
@Mmmmz
It's not the sexual content most people are having problems with, it's the tone of that content, which is pretty vile and hostile. Dead baby jokes might be hilarious in the right context, but when you're listening to someone tell one and it seems less like a way to get a ridiculous laugh and more like an excuse to describe babies dying in graphic detail, that -might- start to edge into "creepy" territory. I guess the question is: if this stuff is a joke, what's the punchline?
Reply
It's not the sexual content most people are having problems with, it's the tone of that content, which is pretty vile and hostile. Dead baby jokes might be hilarious in the right context, but when you're listening to someone tell one and it seems less like a way to get a ridiculous laugh and more like an excuse to describe babies dying in graphic detail, that -might- start to edge into "creepy" territory. I guess the question is: if this stuff is a joke, what's the punchline?
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:45AM Dick Socrates said
A new Duke Nukem done RIGHT would be amazing. The only problem was DNF wasn't done right, in any way. DN3D is still brilliant and has some fantastic level design. People don't even know what level design means any more, because there isn't any, just pre-determined routes through environments or no routes at all through open worlds.
DN3D and Doom levels are action puzzels, enemy placement and combinations are puzeels in themselves. Managing ammo and health is tactical and adds to the experience. Collecting keycards may be simplsitic, but it was never about tedium, but managing 'flow' and creating a sense of 'I sure hope there isn't something bad behind this door I've been looking at since the level started'. Having all this and putting a proper Duke Nukem in to say funny things is why 3D was briliant.
But even if the new game isn't a disaster like Forver, it won't be a classic shooter either, but some CoD knock off. Classic fps map design can induce sublime moments. You need to experience great design before you can appreciate that it exists at all. Play through DN3D *seriously* on the top difficulty.
DN3D and Doom levels are action puzzels, enemy placement and combinations are puzeels in themselves. Managing ammo and health is tactical and adds to the experience. Collecting keycards may be simplsitic, but it was never about tedium, but managing 'flow' and creating a sense of 'I sure hope there isn't something bad behind this door I've been looking at since the level started'. Having all this and putting a proper Duke Nukem in to say funny things is why 3D was briliant.
But even if the new game isn't a disaster like Forver, it won't be a classic shooter either, but some CoD knock off. Classic fps map design can induce sublime moments. You need to experience great design before you can appreciate that it exists at all. Play through DN3D *seriously* on the top difficulty.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 12:05PM Fire Walk With Me said
@Dick Socrates maybe with another 11 years they will nail it down.
Reply
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:45AM wcarnation said
Duke Nukem Forever rules, of course there will be more.
I can't help but think its a lot of johnny-come-latelys that dislike it.
I can't help but think its a lot of johnny-come-latelys that dislike it.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:45AM Anarqi said
Times have change. And it seem Duke didn't learn to adapt...
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:52AM Accessgranted said
DNF is what it is! people should enjoy it for what it is because they knew what they were getting when they bought it or rented it! :D on that note, really looking forward to aliens: colonial marines! :]
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 11:57AM Fire Walk With Me said
Dear Gearbox,
I wont be upset if you release some news about Borderlands 2.
I wont be upset if you release some news about Borderlands 2.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 1:12PM mguniverse said
I have Duke Nukem 3D on my iPad.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 2:30PM TheShaper said
"Do I eat? Did I eat? Am I eating now? I don't know and I'm trying not to care."
He pulled a Charlie Sheen there...
He pulled a Charlie Sheen there...
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 2:39PM whylekat said
Oh awesome another Duke Nuke'em in 15 years?
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 2:56PM Crayola Q Pants ESQ said
Even if he doesn't get his own game, I would like to envision a world where Duke just makes a cameo in every FPS put out from that studio, so they get their mileage out of him. Hell it's not like you'd even need to explain it, just have Duke Nukem show up in Borderlands 2, slap some wall titties, and jump off a cliff into a helicopter or something.
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 6:46PM MrGreen said
Okay I'll bite... WTF is this shit?
Posted: Jun 21st 2011 7:03PM Tachyonic Cargo said
PROBLEM
"Speaking of which, we gotta get on that tablet train and make it work. GTA: Chinatown Wars for iPhone worked creatively but it wasn't "economically meaningful." We gotta figure out a way to charge real money for real games on portable devices."
SOLUTION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PZlfWbfeF0&hd=1
"Speaking of which, we gotta get on that tablet train and make it work. GTA: Chinatown Wars for iPhone worked creatively but it wasn't "economically meaningful." We gotta figure out a way to charge real money for real games on portable devices."
SOLUTION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PZlfWbfeF0&hd=1
Posted: Jun 23rd 2011 11:46AM aristokrat said
I've never understood where these Zelnick rants came from, but they are awesome. I hope he's half as funny in real life.






