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Duke Nukem Forever FAQ Updated

Posted by simoniker on from the new-version-of-something-released dept.

Thanks to several readers for pointing to a significant update to the Duke Nukem Forever FAQ over at PlanetDuke, which isn't 'official', but is linked from the 3D Realms site. The FAQ collates handy information such as the current engine choice ("DNF will be using an extremely enhanced version of Epic Games' Unreal engine"), release date ("DNF will be released 'When It's Done.' What this means is that 3D Realms will not release the game until they are sure it is the best first person shooter ever"), and the labyrinthine publisher list for the game ("Take 2 Interactive Software is publishing DNF. Prior to this.. [it was] Gathering of Developers... Prior to that, their publisher was Infogrames (now known as Atari), who bought out GT Interactive.. [who] had bought the rights from FormGen.")

57 comments

  1. Soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    There won't be anyone left who played the original Duke Nukems

    1. Re:Soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When do we get the Mac port?
      (sorry couldnt resist...)

  2. But... by skinfitz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...3D Realms will not release the game until they are sure it is the best first person shooter ever.

    Yes but each time it's delayed and a new game comes out that might be considered "the new standard" - i.e Return to Castle Wolfenstein or Quake 3, then surely they have to return to the drawing board to make something even better?

    Blimey - no wonder it's been delayed.

    1. Re:But... by spongebob · · Score: 1

      If this is true, what the hell will they do when Half Life 2 comes out????

      At this point, THAT game appears that it will set the new standard.....

    2. Re:But... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...3D Realms will not release the game until they
      are sure it is the best first person shooter
      ever.

      if that's the reason it's more delayed than

      Daikatana was ( and aparently for the same
      reason), we can safely asume DNF will be never
      released, or be as "unimpressive" as Daikatana
      was

    3. Re:But... by mrpuffypants · · Score: 2, Insightful

      And of course don't forget the second coming of Half-Life and the third installment of DOOM.

      After those come out I think the only way that Duke could ever be the "best FPS ever" would require it to literally have the second coming of christ in every box.

      Either that or one of those genii's that gives wishes. "I wish for Doom 3, Half-Life 2, and a G5"

    4. Re:But... by cgenman · · Score: 4, Interesting

      ...3D Realms will not release the game until they are sure it is the best first person shooter ever.

      3D Realms will not release the game until their publisher gets fed up with footing their bill without any resulting product. 3D Realms will be forced to foot their own bill, and go broke or finish. See Ion Storm for more information.

      And also some comments by Joe Siegler: "If we had wanted some quickie piece of crap, it would have been out ages ago. It takes time to innovate - it doesn't take any time to shovel any old crap out there. Since we are not a publically held company, we aren't beholden to the same things that some big companies hold their development teams to, hence we can afford to take the time to make a quality product. Besides, once it's released, no one will care how long it took, they'll care that they have a cool fun game."

      Quality products have been made, recieved sequals, and fallen into squallor in the time that 3D Realms has been working on this title. Quality takes time: 3 years. But quality also takes luck. In the now 7 years of development that Duke Nukem Forever has been undergoing, 3D Realms could have released 3 FPSs, one of which might have had that elusive magical all-togetherness that makes games great.

      You can't simply throw more development time at the problem of quality... at some point you need to throw out what you have done and start over. You can do this as the DNF people have been doing and release nothing, or you can release what you have done, and move on with your life.

      --
      The ______ Agenda
    5. Re:But... by illuvata · · Score: 5, Interesting

      the reason 3DRealms is able to not produce anything for years is because they already foot the bill themself. DN3D was so succesful that they can still make money with their rights to it, and its characters
      if they would be funded by a publisher, they probably would have been forced to release something years ago

    6. Re:But... by silentbobdp · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Don't forget that they also get money from Max Payne, for whatever it is they do for that title (has anyone figured that out yet?)

      --
      --Moo.
    7. Re:But... by neverkevin · · Score: 2, Insightful

      But quality also takes luck

      That is crap, you shouldn't rely on luck for quality. You have to put the time in and do the work.

      Of course I don't believe 3D Realms stratagy on DNF is good for their bottom line. But you have to respect them for trying to innovate. However, I think the fact that it has taken them so long says more about the FPS genre then it does about 3D Realms.

    8. Re:But... by jelevy01 · · Score: 1

      Check you facts man, 3DRealms has ALWAYS footed the bill for development of DNF, thats why they are allowed to get away with taking 2 million years for development.

      They restared from scrach after the 2001 E3 Video, so if you want to be nice you *could* say that it has only been in development for 2 or 3 years, and clal the rest research.

      While I can't wait for the day they release this game, it is nice to see that there motivation seems to be quality rather then just pushing it out the door like so many other games feel like.

      I reserve judgement until the game is released, considering they owe me nothing, I look foward to a kick ass game.

    9. Re:But... by illuvata · · Score: 1

      from 3DRealms max payne site:

      Q: So let me get this straight, I've read articles on Max that mention Remedy, 3DRealms and The Gathering of Developers. Who's doing what?
      A: Remedy is developing the game, all technology, editors, art, sounds, the story, etc. have been done at Remedy office. 3DRealms is taking part in that development by helping out on content and gameplay matters, Scott, George and everyone at 3DR are outstanding hardcore game developers and we really dig working with them. The Gathering is our publisher and will eventually ship all those Max Payne boxes to the shelves with Take2 handling European distribution.

    10. Re:But... by cgenman · · Score: 1

      You can't rely upon luck for quality, but you can't take it on faith that hard work will pay off. I don't know of a single game developer that doesn't put in 60-80 hour weeks, doesn't want their game to be the greatest ever, and doesn't sweat the small stuff. But the fact of the matter is that many games get released that had tremendous years of effort and the backing of some of the greatest minds in the industry and still aren't very good. MOO3 comes to mind. It was a highly polished, highly intricate game that just fell flat. Perhaps I should have said "fun" instead of quality, but in my book the two are synonomous.

      As for "trying to innovate," innovations take far more luck than fun or quality. For every Street Fighter, there are 100 Wild 9's, and even more innovative games that were canceled by the publisher. What 3D realms is trying to release is the best FPS game they can, not the most innovative: that's why they have been working on existing engines rather than coding their own.

      The success of a game does involve a great deal of luck. Daiktana was a horrible failure, yet the disregarded branch of Ion Storm created the wonderful Deus Ex. Did they work harder than the other branch? Were they better funded? No, they worked their tails off just as much as the rest of Ion Storm, but they had a great game idea and they shipped while it was still fresh.

      A lot of great developers have failed. Perhaps chalking one up to luck is a defense mechanism that we all need to survive in this industry.

      -Chris

      --
      The ______ Agenda
  3. I'll believe this when I see it.... by Prien715 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't believe this...I mean, isn't DNF the vaporware standard?

    --
    -- Political fascism requires a Fuhrer.
    1. Re:I'll believe this when I see it.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm with you.

      I think they're right. If they actually deliver and it rocks, there will be much rejoicing in the streets and all will be forgiven-- but until then it stays the Vaporware Posterchild in my book.

    2. Re:I'll believe this when I see it.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't believe this...I mean, isn't DNF the vaporware standard?

      Well, they've been making jokes about the software being vaporware for a couple of (a few?) years, by name. I think that pretty much says it all.

      In other words, I would expect to see Hurd finished before DNF. And they've been working on Hurd since 1990.

  4. This is news?! by LazyBoy · · Score: 2, Troll
    It's news when a FAQ gets updated?!

    Hey I took a dump today! Film at 11.

    --

    If Chaos Theory has taught us anything, it's that we must kill all the butterflies.

  5. Yeah, and also by forged · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Also DoomIII, etc. I'm just sick of hearing more rumors from DNF, it's been way too long. Leave it to rest already.

    Kind of like the IETF's philosophy has been famously summarized as "We reject kings, presidents, and voting. We believe in rough consensus and running code."

    And Linus to add, "I have the numbers for the current practice being BAD. You show me yours to back up YOUR claims. Until you do, you're just spouting opinions and hot air."

    I like both very much. I'd love to see it when it's done, but until then it's just hot air.

  6. Damn. by Ath · · Score: 2, Funny
    They will only release it when it's the best first person shooter ever?

    Does that mean now that they have seen Half-Life 2 they are gonna start over again?

  7. In other news... by Ummagumma · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've just released the "Second Coming of Christ" FAQ - I'm sure this will happen before Duke Nukem Whatever is released....

    --
    "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." - Thomas Jefferson
  8. DNF by Rip!ey · · Score: 3, Informative

    Can we please drop this pretense that DNF stands for 'Duke Nukem Forever'. We all know that it really means 'Do Not Finish'.

    1. Re:DNF by beta21 · · Score: 1

      In marathons it means "Did Not Finish"

    2. Re:DNF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That joke is soo 1998. :-P

  9. wow by alph0ns3 · · Score: 0

    I remember reading this, like, years ago? :D

  10. So what was the change? by Snowspinner · · Score: 2, Funny

    So.

    Ummm...
    What was the change to the FAQ, anyway?

    --
    Philip Sandifer's academic website
    1. Re:So what was the change? by The+Evil+Couch · · Score: 1

      the changes are marked with asterixes. they're nothing very amazing or anything that we haven't already found out or figured out, but they're there if you feel like reading it.

      --
      The World's Worst Webcomic!
  11. FAQ by executebusiness.com · · Score: 1, Troll

    They have decided to let us know they are still working on it. Seriously I think all the 3dr guys must think the world is full of idiots. They should have cancelled this project years ago! Without being trollish, the guys at 3dR have made the public wait long enough that there is zero possibility that this game will sell any units or make any money at all. Because they kept falling behind the real pros with tech, 3dR has lagged and lagged this project to the bitter end. There is no possibility that this will be anything other than vapourware, and in the strict possibility that they release the product, they will definitely release an inferior product. There is nothing new to the shooters out there, really anyway. Sorry if I sound emotional over this project, but I strongly dislike companies that promise the world and fail to deliver. If you can't execute, you're lost in business. Give up. 3dR has proven time and time again that they can't deliver on promises, so their word is crap. Don't get me wrong, they have made some quality products, such as Max Payne, who was the basis for the guy in GTA3. But don't be fooled. 3dR cashes in on false promises, which is a real industry no-no, IMHO.

    1. Re:FAQ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      People who are modding the post above down don't know all the facts. The user above is totally correct and I would have modded this up as insightful if it weren't for that I used all my mod points!

  12. Missing icon by Tsuzuki · · Score: 2, Funny

    You forgot the foot. I was looking for it as soon as I read the headline. :)

    1. Re:Missing icon by sharkey · · Score: 1
      You forgot the foot.

      Ah-ha! So it's the Gnome team that's slowing things down?

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  13. definate by August_zero · · Score: 4, Funny

    This game is like that 32 year old guy you knew in college. You know, the one that was still living in a frat house, was still taking basic studies classes and was always certain he was going to graduate even if neither he nor anyone else had any idea when.

    If Duke Nukem Fornever ever actually comes out, the gaming community will be robbed of one of it's biggest longest running jokes.

    --
    On Wall Street they say "buy low, sell high" On the pad we say, "buy high, sell high" Isn't that somehow better?
    1. Re:definate by robson · · Score: 3, Funny

      This game is like that 32 year old guy you knew in college. You know, the one that was still living in a frat house, was still taking basic studies classes and was always certain he was going to graduate even if neither he nor anyone else had any idea when.

      Yup. And just like that 32-year-old guy in college, I have to wonder how they're supporting themselves.

    2. Re:definate by Scarblac · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm 29, but otherwise I'm that guy.

      I have a day job, that's how. Sheesh. This eternal student thing is hard work, you know.

      --
      I believe posters are recognized by their sig. So I made one.
  14. When it's finished.... by tprime · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For a game that will be released When it's finished , 5 years ago I would have been excited at any new development... Now, I will be willing to plunk down 50 bones When I care.

    --
    http://www.tomandemily.com
  15. They changed the name. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's now "Duke Nukem Whenever".

    1. Re:They changed the name. by danila · · Score: 1

      Or "Duke Nukem If Ever".

      --
      Future Wiki -- If you don't think about the future, you cannot have one.
  16. Apocalypse coming soon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Repent! Coupled with Valve announcing Half-Life 2 this has to be one of the signs of the end times!

  17. Re:I don't belive it.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's because this article isn't on the frontpage...

  18. Duke Nuken Forever by Prien715 · · Score: 3, Funny

    A little known fact is that the "Forever" in DNF stands for the legnth of the development cycle.

    --
    -- Political fascism requires a Fuhrer.
  19. Far too obvious :P by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Q: How long will it take?
    A: Read the fucking title.

  20. a guess as to why it's taking so long by tankdilla · · Score: 3, Funny
    "Ok team, we're going to use all capabilities of directx 8 to make this the best fps ever."

    ...months later....

    "Guys, directx 9 was just released, back to the drawing board. This is gonna be the best shooter ever, we're going to push the limits of gaming to new levels. DNF will change the world"

    ...and still later...

    "They just released directx 10! Everybody start over, we're going to make sure this the best damn game ever.

    I mean seriously, they're using an extremely modified Unreal engine, and now that the beautiful Unreal 2 engine is out, they're probably trying to change the game to use that instead.

    --

    -Look lively. LOOK LIVELY!!! --Mr. Shmallow

    1. Re:a guess as to why it's taking so long by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Am I hallucinating, or did they already make an engine change on this title?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    2. Re:a guess as to why it's taking so long by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're not. DNF was first supposed to use the FIRST Quake engine, then the Quake II engine. I'm not sure if they were supposed to use Half-Life's after that, but they then moved to the Unreal engine.

      Fun fun.

    3. Re:a guess as to why it's taking so long by damiam · · Score: 1

      Unreal 2 is the Unreal engine, just a later version of it. 3DRealms is presumably using the version newer than the original Unreal.

      --
      It's hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.
  21. HURD by danro · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The HURD isn't _all_ waporware. Not in the same league as Duke Nuke'em Forever.
    I mean, HURD publicly available, and somewhat functional.

    For all we know Duke Nuke'em Forever still only exists as a design document and a Power Point presentation ;-)

    --

    "First lesson," Jon said. "Stick them with the pointy end."
  22. DNF by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I always find it funny that DNF means "Did Not Finish" in motor racing...

  23. Where... by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

    Where do they get the scratch to keep the company going? Takes a lot of money to pay people to do nothing...just ask Eidos about Ion Storm...

    --
    Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  24. This isn't any real news by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    This isn't a "significant" update to that FAQ. I used to check that site, until I found that they'd announce an "updated FAQ" every month or so, with no real updates.

    The only new material on this FAQ is stuff that's turned up in discussions here at /. And the only reason _that's_ up there is because of the recent "25 Worst Moments of Gaming" article. Otherwise, no screenshots, no system specs, not even an "official word" from 3d Realms.

  25. FOrEvEr by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dudes, you know 3d Realms is just fucking with all you. The games never coming out. Its there sick secret joke. Those screenshots that came out in 99 were just stuff done in 3dmax.
    THose guys have been laughing at all you for awhile.

    They played one hell of a joke for you guys and me to be in here talking about all this!!

  26. The New Conspiracy Theory... by Slime-dogg · · Score: 1

    This just announced: 3D-Realms has admitted that they completed the Duke Nukem Forever computer game about four years ago. They were correct when they said that it would be the best shooter game ever, because they were instantaneously addicted to the game. They have been playing the game non-stop for the past four years, having become so entranced that they have missed all 57 release dates.

    Ladies and Gentleman, this is what the pool was in the story of Narcissus.

    --
    You need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button.
  27. Development costs? by Hackie_Chan · · Score: 1

    Anyone got any idea how much this game has so far cost to make? I'm interested to see wether they will go minus or plus on this even after selling a couple of millions of copies. Unless 3DRealms is 1 person, then this game must have had a damn expensive development cost...

    --

    What's so bad about being lazy? What if there was a war and nobody showed up?
  28. Orwellian game development by hoser · · Score: 1

    Whenever I read something about DNF it reminds me of Party members in Orwell's 1984. The telescreen announces a 24% increase in the production of razors in the latest five-year plan and the drab, blue overall-clad party members believe every word of it while shaving with dull slivers of iron.

    I imagine 3D Realms employees sitting at their PII 300Mhz workstations (they've been working on the same bloody game for 7 years, after all) when Broussard runs out and announces, "Comrades! Comrades! We've just updated the FAQ! We've just come one step closer to releasing the game!" They all stand up and chant "When It's Done! When It's Done!" And remember that Ignorance is Strength, Freedom is Slavery, and Game Development Cycles are Ten Years Long.

    --


    hoser: Slashdot reader since 1987.
  29. Name change by babbage · · Score: 1

    Why aren't people just coming out and calling it what it is: Duke Postponem Forever

    --
    DO NOT LEAVE IT IS NOT REAL