Frederik Schreiber was an amateur modeler with a dream: to bring 3D Realms’ classic FPS, Duke Nukem 3D, into a modern engine. This was not an uncommon dream for fans to have. Over the 12 years that 3D Realms tried to guide that seminal game’s successor, Duke Nukem Forever, to release, many other teams of bright-eyed aspiring developers had tried to remake Duke 3D on modern graphical technology. Unfortunately, those fan-made efforts were shut down almost unanimously, as these teams did not have the rights to use the Duke Nukem property in any form. As such, Duke 3D was confined within the old Build Engine, forever doomed to shoot billiard balls on pool tables and asking ladies to kindly shake it.
(Not that there’s anything wrong with the Build Engine, mind. Does your game have functional mirrors? Didn't think so.)
Dude! That was my brand new ride! == TEASER ==But with the stewardship of Duke Nukem officially passed to Gearbox Software, Schreiber decided to give that dream another shot. So over a period of a few weeks, he created several test maps of his proposed Duke 3D remake by rendering a couple of memorable level locations in the Unreal Engine 3. These were only prototypes maps designed to show off the look of these levels, but tell me that isn’t the spitting image of the rooftop starting point in Hollywood Holocaust.
Fan reaction to these screens and videos on the Gearbox boards was ecstatic, and Schreiber, emboldened by the praise, took his request directly to Gearbox, asking if there was any way to let players see Duke’s ride get shot down like they’ve never seen it before: with normal mapping and physics.
Mr. Schreiber is going to get that chance. Gearbox Software has extended the aspiring designer a personal non-commercial license to the Duke Nukem likeness and property, giving Schreiber the legal rights he needs to push forward on the project. With the rights in hand, Mr. Schreiber has begun mobilizing a team for the codenamed Duke Nukem: Next Gen, an Unreal Engine 3-powered version of the Duke 3D which, upon completion, will be released for free to the public. It’s like the Black Mesa mod for Half Life 2, but with more balls.
It’s always nice to see a major corporation reach out and help nurture these fan projects rather than shut them down. Companies like Square Enix and more recently, Activision, have gone after these graphically enhanced fan-made remakes with the cease and also the desist, ending many promising game mod in its tracks (until, at least, it becomes good PR to let the fans release that game). Now, Schreiber and the Next Gen team has Gearbox’s blessing to show their passion for the Duke. The time was right to bet on Duke, and it paid off for these fans in spades. I know, from these screens and video, I’m looking forward to seeing what this team creates.
Frederik Schreiber was an amateur modeler with a dream: to bring 3D Realms’ classic FPS, Duke Nukem 3D, into a modern engine. This was not an uncommon dream for fans to have. Over the 12 years that 3D Realms tried to guide that seminal game’s successor, Duke Nukem Forever, to release, many other teams of bright-eyed aspiring developers had tried to remake Duke 3D on modern graphical technology. Unfortunately, those fan-made efforts were shut down almost unanimously, as these teams did not have the rights to use the Duke Nukem property in any form. As such, Duke 3D was confined within the old Build Engine, forever doomed to shoot billiard balls on pool tables and asking ladies to kindly shake it.
(Not that there’s anything wrong with the Build Engine, mind. Does your game have functional mirrors? Didn't think so.)
Dude! That was my brand new ride! == TEASER ==But with the stewardship of Duke Nukem officially passed to Gearbox Software, Schreiber decided to give that dream another shot. So over a period of a few weeks, he created several test maps of his proposed Duke 3D remake by rendering a couple of memorable level locations in the Unreal Engine 3. These were only prototypes maps designed to show off the look of these levels, but tell me that isn’t the spitting image of the rooftop starting point in Hollywood Holocaust.
Fan reaction to these screens and videos on the Gearbox boards was ecstatic, and Schreiber, emboldened by the praise, took his request directly to Gearbox, asking if there was any way to let players see Duke’s ride get shot down like they’ve never seen it before: with normal mapping and physics.
Mr. Schreiber is going to get that chance. Gearbox Software has extended the aspiring designer a personal non-commercial license to the Duke Nukem likeness and property, giving Schreiber the legal rights he needs to push forward on the project. With the rights in hand, Mr. Schreiber has begun mobilizing a team for the codenamed Duke Nukem: Next Gen, an Unreal Engine 3-powered version of the Duke 3D which, upon completion, will be released for free to the public. It’s like the Black Mesa mod for Half Life 2, but with more balls.
It’s always nice to see a major corporation reach out and help nurture these fan projects rather than shut them down. Companies like Square Enix and more recently, Activision, have gone after these graphically enhanced fan-made remakes with the cease and also the desist, ending many promising game mod in its tracks (until, at least, it becomes good PR to let the fans release that game). Now, Schreiber and the Next Gen team has Gearbox’s blessing to show their passion for the Duke. The time was right to bet on Duke, and it paid off for these fans in spades. I know, from these screens and video, I’m looking forward to seeing what this team creates.
Damn, Gearbox actually did something that 3D Realms should have done years ago. I mean, there was supposed to be a remake of Duke 3D using Source, but was cancelled because of 3D Realms. This is a good marketing tactic on Gearbox's part. Have a modder make a remake for Duke 3D to hype up the gamers of old and new for the new DNF to come out next year.
Gearbox is great. This is why I consider them up there in the elite with Bioware and Blizzard and Valve and Bungie. They know that the passion of gaming is way too important to shit on people for.
damn,what a tease. I just played DN3D 6 months or so ago, but I would almost immediatly play this version again. I appreciatte the no real problems with Gearbox, Broussard (sp. probably and no disrespect) might feel hurt...they(3DRealms)kept their foot on it for good reasons I guess. But those reasons are gone.
I don't really care about this game, but I've gained major respect for Gearbox for letting the fans have their time doing this. It's a win-win-win as far as I'm concerned -- for the fans, modders, and the company.
Very awesome on gearbox's part. It would be awesome if they cut a deal with him to publish it on XBLA also. Seems like it would make a great game for that.
" I really give a fuck if Gearbox gives consent to something they have no right to consent on. Anyway, looks pretty cool "
They actually do have a right because they now own Duke Nukem and could sue them if they so desired. Especially when you consider it will be competing with their retail game at some point, and it will be free, so Gearbox has proven to have balls of steel to let them go ahead and do it.
Not like when EA killed a fan remake of System Shock 2 only because they might one day decide to return to that franchise.
It might end up being something like Valve and the various HL mod teams, recognizing talent and bringing them in to release the game.
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