Giant Bomb News

Gearbox Software To Finish Duke Nukem Forever

The Texas-based developer announces its involvement with 3D Realms long-awaited project.

Borderlands developer Gearbox Software will indeed be finishing work started by 3D Realms on Duke Nukem Forever. The FPS--which has been in development since some of us were in swaddling clothes--will finally see its release in 2011 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, according to Gearbox.

Gearbox was rumored to be the studio to bring the game to completion well before the confirmation this afternoon. In August, Kotaku kicked off the murmurs thanks to a well-placed source that pegged Gearbox as the dev. And when the publication went to the studio's boss Randy Pitchford for the official word, it received a coy statement that didn't deny the fact that Gearbox had DNF in its paws.  
 
Much later this September, 2K Games teased that it had something "big" to show at PAX Prime. Shortly after that, 3D Realms boss George Broussard tweeted an image of flying pigs, keeping the recent speculation alive and well.   
 

 This is indeed a thing at PAX Prime.
 This is indeed a thing at PAX Prime.

DNF was indeed the reveal both were hinting at, according to an on-and-off again live stream 2K set up for the game's PAX unveil event, where attendees listened to Pitchford speak, watched a short video, and then got hands-on time with the game.
 
At the event, Pitchford said Gearbox wants the game to be "the game it was supposed to be," and suggested that he and his studio brought in people from 3D Realms to help with its completion--a process that started back in 2009.  
 
Speaking to the Wall Street Journal before the event, Pitchford revealed that the game is in a "polishing phase," and admitted that a launch plan is not yet in place. But at least it's actually coming now, right?
msavoon Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
It's about dam time. 
Grissefaron Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
Wrong developer. I am disappoint.
Sin4profit is online on Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
 Probably be better to let it die a legend...but i wonder if it'll make any money on curiosity alone...or, could be great, who the hell knows.
OverLord00on Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
damnit
DeathbyYetion Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
No thank you
Dedodidoon Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
About time.
fitzinatoron Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
boom
msavoon Sept. 3, 2010 at noon
BALLS OF STEEL!!!!
Yzzerddon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.
This is why you always bet on Duke.
TheKbobon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:01 p.m.
Bubble Gum Collector's edition, eh?
darkdragonmage99on Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
I'll believe it when i see a finished product 
n00d13zon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
I think that this is going to be one of the most overhyped games in recent history. 
ComradeKhanon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
I just Duked my pants. I can't believe this is really happening.
Delta_Asson Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
Time to finish the fight.
Nytrikon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
My first reaction: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
floodiastuson Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:03 p.m.
Duke is a curse, gearbox is going DOWN!
lolgregon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:03 p.m.
Shit just got real
BraveFarton Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:03 p.m.
You can see the girl to the right want's to touch Dukes leet peenor.
Mariorules85on Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:03 p.m.
2011 looks like a fixed date to me.
sins_of_mosinon Sept. 3, 2010 at 12:04 p.m.

Sure hope this don't delay Borderlands 2.

Dig Deeper into Duke Nukem Forever

Duke Nukem Forever, the long-awaited sequel to Duke Nukem 3D, was finally released in June 2011, after approximately fourteen years of development. The game was heavily panned for the low-to-abysmal quality of nearly every aspect of its presentation and design.

US Release Date: June 14, 2011

Edit/View the Wiki
Hit the Forums (290 Posts)
Add/View Images (555 Images)
Watch Some Videos (15 Videos)
38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.

Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.

Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.

Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.

And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.

38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."

Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.

Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.

38 Studios Unveils its First Look at Project Copernicus

In the wake of the studio's recent financial drama, the studio finally opens the door on its long-awaited MMO.

Diablo III Sells 3.5 Million Copies In its First Day Alone

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is now the fastest-selling PC game of all time.

Wii U’s Controller May Have Seen Some Changes

No more Circle Pad-style analog sticks, and some swapped button placement.

Johann Sebastian Joust Is Latest iOS Cloning Victim

Studio behind awfully similar game for iOS claims an agreement was in place.

38 Studios Pays its $1.125 Million Debt, Will Receive No Additional Funds from State

Oh, and the governor of Rhode Island just tossed out a release date for "Copernicus."

And Now Aliens: Colonial Marines Won't Be Coming Out This Year, Either

Gearbox's Aliens side-story slips to February.

Activision Lawsuit Has Details on Bungie’s Next Game

First game scheduled for Xbox 360, sequels on unannounced platforms.

Worth Reading: 05/18/2012

You have 20 seconds to click on this article and discover what games you might have missed and what stories passed you by.

Submissions can take several hours to be approved.

Save ChangesCancel