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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.")

24 of 57 comments (clear)

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

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

  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 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"

    2. 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
    3. 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

    4. 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.
    5. 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.

  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.
  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'.

  9. 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
  10. Missing icon by Tsuzuki · · Score: 2, Funny

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

  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. They changed the name. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's now "Duke Nukem Whenever".

  14. 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.
  15. Far too obvious :P by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

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

  16. 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

  17. 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."