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Rumor: Gearbox Software To Finish Duke Nukem Forever

Look, I know this sounds weird. Just stay with me.

If you thought the Duke Nukem Forever saga was over when 3D Realms and Take-Two settled their legal differences, you were (possibly) wrong. Kotaku is reporting that a build of the fabled shooter is now in Gearbox Software's hands, and the full game will eventually come to market.

Sounds like a long shot--and it feels like it is, considering this is DNF we're talking about, a game that has been in development for over a decade--but apparently this rumor is crashing against some sort of truth. Speaking with Kotaku, Gearbox head honcho Randy Pitchford said that he would be able to "clarify" (the pub's words) this alleged involvement at PAX West in Seattle. He declined direct comment.
 

No Caption Provided
 
Gearbox Studios is the developer of Borderlands and currently working on Aliens: Colonial Marines. It has been connected with rumored high-profile titles before, including a continuation of Halo, a game based on the film Heat, and a Duke Nukem prequel.

Take-Two still owns the publishing rights to DNF, a game it has presumably lost a ton of money on as its development stretched out over eons. And Gearbox and Take-Two have worked together before, most notably with Borderlands.

While I'd like to just shake my head and say "no way" about this rumor, despite Pitchford's weird comment on the matter, this game already has a legacy linked with the strange, so we'll have to wait and see what the truth is on this latest development. 

207 Comments

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Deusoma

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Edited By Deusoma
@vidiot said:
" Who want's this game? WHO?!   
 
Duke is the most generic hero ever, he hasn't had games to evolve since Duke 3D! What's the edgy quality that separates Duke from the pack? Boobs? Space aliens that look like pigs? They're "pig-cops", get it? 
 
There have been so many different, superior gamesjust in conceptthat have been released. 
Think of all the project in this industry that couldn't get funding. Yet this...thing keeps getting money? Seriously?! You think the Halo and Call of Duty generation, even know who Duke is? Or cares?! I don't even think this game is commercially viable at this point! 
 
It's all just! UGH! LET IT DIE!
"
If they released a video game about a slice of ham with arms who battled the identical footsoliders of the evil nation of Generica while forgettable synth music played in the background, I would still play that game if the gameplay was good enough. A good concept is nice, yes, that's why I play Halo and Uncharted and inFamous, but not absolutely necessary. 
 
You need to calm down a little, would you like a hug? :)
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buzz_clik

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Edited By buzz_clik

No Caption Provided
Way to cause mad ambivalence in me, guys. On the one hand, it's obvious that a Gearbox-created Duke Nukem Forever could all six of the bee's knees, especially because I think Borderlands was close to being my GOTY. On the other hand, we all want the DNF story to continue on until our kids who have kids have their own kids.
 
On a third, crudely stitched-on hand, I'd imagine that although I loved Duke Nukem 3D (Build Engine represent) the brand's time has well and truly smoked its last cigar. But on a fourth, half-formed-and-growing-out-of-your-neck hand, I'm always one for a brisk jog down memory lane, especially if the game turns out to be a ripper.
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vidiot

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Edited By vidiot
@Deusoma said:
" @vidiot said:
" Who want's this game? WHO?!   
 
Duke is the most generic hero ever, he hasn't had games to evolve since Duke 3D! What's the edgy quality that separates Duke from the pack? Boobs? Space aliens that look like pigs? They're "pig-cops", get it? 
 
There have been so many different, superior gamesjust in conceptthat have been released. 
Think of all the project in this industry that couldn't get funding. Yet this...thing keeps getting money? Seriously?! You think the Halo and Call of Duty generation, even know who Duke is? Or cares?! I don't even think this game is commercially viable at this point! 
 
It's all just! UGH! LET IT DIE!
"
If they released a video game about a slice of ham with arms who battled the identical footsoliders of the evil nation of Generica while forgettable synth music played in the background, I would still play that game if the gameplay was good enough. A good concept is nice, yes, that's why I play Halo and Uncharted and inFamous, but not absolutely necessary.   You need to calm down a little, would you like a hug? :) "
Yes. Because Duke's gameplay has truly stood out the test of time. Oh, wait- No, it totally hasn't.
 
I...this is...why are we still? With the thing! And the! With! AND! AGHHH!!!!
Hug?! Yes. I would like a hug. Apologies for what could be interpreted as high-emotion. 
This thing seriously needs to die. Die I say!
...

...The project, not you.
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Shadowsquire

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Edited By Shadowsquire
@vidiot said:
" @Deusoma said:
" @vidiot said:
" Who want's this game? WHO?!   
 
Duke is the most generic hero ever, he hasn't had games to evolve since Duke 3D! What's the edgy quality that separates Duke from the pack? Boobs? Space aliens that look like pigs? They're "pig-cops", get it? 
 
There have been so many different, superior gamesjust in conceptthat have been released. 
Think of all the project in this industry that couldn't get funding. Yet this...thing keeps getting money? Seriously?! You think the Halo and Call of Duty generation, even know who Duke is? Or cares?! I don't even think this game is commercially viable at this point! 
 
It's all just! UGH! LET IT DIE!
"
If they released a video game about a slice of ham with arms who battled the identical footsoliders of the evil nation of Generica while forgettable synth music played in the background, I would still play that game if the gameplay was good enough. A good concept is nice, yes, that's why I play Halo and Uncharted and inFamous, but not absolutely necessary.   You need to calm down a little, would you like a hug? :) "
Yes. Because Duke's gameplay has truly stood out the test of time. Oh, wait- No, it totally hasn't.
 
I...this is...why are we still? With the thing! And the! With! AND! AGHHH!!!!
Hug?! Yes. I would like a hug. Apologies for what could be interpreted as high-emotion. 
This thing seriously needs to die. Die I say!
...

...The project, not you. "
You obviously never played Duke Nukem when you were younger did you?
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Bionicicide

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Edited By Bionicicide

Plausible, but don't really care now that there's Bulletstorm. Let me know when there's a Limited Edition chronicling the game's rocky history in a documentary.

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shakra

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Edited By shakra

Ken Silverman 4 lyfe

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Liam_mk

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Edited By Liam_mk

YOU ARE ALL DUM EVERYONE ONE OF YOU IS DUM I HATE ALL OF YOU AND EVERYTHING FUCK FUCK FUCK BUFFALO BUFFALO...okay...I think I'm good now. Also IF they throw in a loot mechanic I will hunt you all down and murder your cats!

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vidiot

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Edited By vidiot
@Shadowsquire: Check previous comments. Check my achievements.
 
Are we talking about a literal continuation of keycard design? Probably not. Brainless shooters that harken back to the days of Duke are bargain-bin titles. At this point this franchise is running on name-recognition, especially for younger gamers.
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MrKlorox

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Edited By MrKlorox

/shrug
 
Not too insane.

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tebbit

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Edited By tebbit

My guess is that "clarifying it" will be when they show off Colonial Marines at PAX. 
 
Although I desperately want it to be DNF for a whole raft of reasons. A WHOLE RAFT.

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gormanator

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Edited By gormanator

I'll believe it when i see it

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seram

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Edited By seram

Wow it really is Forever...

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Blitzer

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Edited By Blitzer
@stinky said:
" let it die. "
NO! i'll take DNF instead of the dozen generic FPSs that will come out for the next 3 years.
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iSylence

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Edited By iSylence

I just laugh whenever I read about DNF now :D

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kylekrueger

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Edited By kylekrueger

even if this game does come out who's gonna care anymore? not me.

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klinkcow

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Edited By klinkcow

I don't care how much everyone poopoos it, I am so excited for something Duke. If not for pure nostalgia, I think it will be a fun mindless adventure.
 
I will purchase day and date if it comes out.
 
Well, I may wait for one review.
 
In the same way that Mortal Kombat holds a special place in peoples hearts, those people should acknowledge that Duke lives in that same realm...3d realm, that is.

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ArbitraryWater

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Edited By ArbitraryWater

Yeah. Kotaku.

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selbie

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Edited By selbie

Two words: Blue Balls

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ModusOperandiXO

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Edited By ModusOperandiXO

This will never happen! It just can't

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ThePickle

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Edited By ThePickle

Never. 

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blacklab

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Edited By blacklab

Whoever made the 'Aliens: Colonial Marines' logo on the 'Aliens: Colonial Marines' page linked to in the article spelled the word Aliens wrong in the graphic.  It makes the page maddening to look at.  I tried to delete the image but couldn't figure out how. Anyone know?

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MegaGoat

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Edited By MegaGoat

For all the people sick of hearing about DNF, do these kinds of rumors keep you up at night?

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deactivated-5c5cdba6e0b96

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Here we go again....
 
 

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Wrect

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Edited By Wrect

*sighs*  Why do I feel like a battered woman who is going back to her abusive husband again, just because he said he was sorry... again?
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Beechbone

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Edited By Beechbone

It would be lovely to see DNF making their way to the store shelves with Gearbox as developer but first of all, this game is obviously cursed and it's not letting anyone finish itself. And secondly, Gearbox should rather work on Aliens Colonial Marines, a very promising game that has a chance of being first great Alien game since 1999's "AvP"

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sagesebas

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Edited By sagesebas

the man has been through enough he wants to rest in peace

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Colin

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Edited By Colin

Old rumor is olddddd.  That's been rumored ever since the Take2 lawsuit.
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st3vie

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Edited By st3vie

Oh... my... god... mode!  Just release some actual material IF it's really going to be released, or just stop the gossip! After years, I'm getting tired of this freak show.

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deactivated-60468572473b7

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I'm not holding my breath, but it would be nice to see a modern sequel to the game. Duke Nukem 3D was so much fun when it first came around, enviroments like cities when standard was scifi military bases and dorky dungeons and cool weapons with interesting effects in addition to usual shotguns and rocket launchers. It was early 1st person shooter game to popularize many of those neat ideas that kids these days take for granted.
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Rekt_Hed

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Edited By Rekt_Hed

Great....so this will be the last game Gearbox ever makes CAUSE THEY WILL NEVER FINISH IT lol O LORD!

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penguindust

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Edited By penguindust

Apart from the curiosity factor, how many people are really interested in this franchise still?  If the game turns out to be mediocre at best, and with its troubled past that is more than possible, I don't think many gamers are going to put down $60 for this anomaly.  Let Duke live in our memories and let this particular game fade away like an old soldier.

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Godmil

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Edited By Godmil

I'll buy it day one if it's ever released, no matter what the quality is... this game is too important an even in the history of video games to be left alone.

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aaronrhancock

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Edited By aaronrhancock

I think its  ridiculous to keep putting us through this.

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Hamst3r

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Edited By Hamst3r

I'm still totally on-board to play this. The delays and all have not affected my interest.
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CaptDiablo

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Edited By CaptDiablo

The day Duke Nukem Forever comes out is the day the whole fuckin world will just end.

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c1337us

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Edited By c1337us

Never gonna happen.

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harvey_the_pooka

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Edited By harvey_the_pooka

NOT 
 
GONNA 
 
HAPPEN

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Melvis

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Edited By Melvis

I could see Gearbox doing awesome things with the Duke.  It'd be nice if anyone did anything with the franchise really.

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NekuSakuraba

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Edited By NekuSakuraba

LET IT DIE!

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napalm

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Edited By napalm

Nope. I am done with false hope.

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plumeria

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Edited By plumeria
@MegaGoat said:
" For all the people sick of hearing about DNF, do these kinds of rumors keep you up at night? "
Considering I was in high school when the last "real" Duke Nukem game hit, i.e. Duke Nukem 3D, there must be a great deal of younger gamers on here who have never played that game and have actually only heard rumors of the revival of a franchise of old. 
 
It cannot keep me up at night anymore ;o) but I still cannot let the damn idea go that the game might actually happen one day. 
 
Here's hoping that it never does because nothing can live up to the hype based on nostalgic memories accumulated over a decade and a half. (Except maybe StarCraft II ;o) but I feel that's in a league of its own.)
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jacksonroye

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Edited By jacksonroye

How many years do we think it'll take this time?

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Raineko

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Edited By Raineko


The Duke will return with glory.

His guns shall destroy all enemys.

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reflekshun

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Edited By reflekshun

lol DNF.. what an ironic acronym

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Infinityslimit

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Edited By Infinityslimit

Oh my GOD not again. Seriously I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!!

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kabukiman

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Edited By kabukiman

do people still care about duke nukem?  i mean come on this is getting ridiculous.  I definitely want this to be a false rumor because all I want out of Gearbox is more Borderlands, preferable a sequel!

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fleshturd

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Edited By fleshturd

I always think it's ironic that DNF is also an acronym meaning "Did not finish"

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zitosilva

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Edited By zitosilva

I don't care if it's true or not. I just think it's awesome that this game just won't die. We're still talking about it!

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deactivated-5865c6a5c9438

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Never die.