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May 7th '09, 02:15 PM
<p><b>Update 3:</b> 3D Realms webmaster Joe Siegler has commented on the shut down, <a href="http://forums.3drealms.com/vb/showpost.php?p=867590&postcount=129">stating:</a> "It's not a marketing thing. It's true. I have nothing further to say at this time." </p> <p>Siegler's post also reflects the unexpected nature of the situation, as he was unaware of the impending shut down during an interview conducted yesterday afternoon. </p> <p><b>Update 2:</b> Duke Nukem Forever publisher Take-Two has confirmed to Shacknews that it was not funding ongoing development of the 3D Realms project. </p> <p>"We can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title," said Take-Two VP of communications Alan Lewis in a prepared statement. </p> <p>"In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever," he added. </p> <p><a href="http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=10772&game_id=4886&id=126409"><img src="http://www.shacknews.com/images/sshots/Screenshot/10772/10772_48e128bce4f63_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=10772&game_id=4886&id=126410"><img src="http://www.shacknews.com/images/sshots/Screenshot/10772/10772_48e128bfc3aa9_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> <br /><i>Duke Nukem Forever</i></p> <p><b>Update:</b> Apogee Software and Deep Silver have issued a statement to Shacknews, confirming that the situation at 3D Realms has not affected the development of Frontline Games' upcoming handheld <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57852">Duke Nukem Trilogy</a>. </p> <p>"Deep Silver and Apogee Software are not affected by the situation at 3D Realms," a representative for the companies told us. "Development on the Duke Nukem Trilogy is continuing as planned." </p> <p><b>Original story:</b> A very reliable source close to Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms today confirmed to Shacknews that the development studio has shut down. </p> <p>The closure came about as a result of funding issues, our source explained, with the shut down said to affect both 3D Realms and the <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53589">recently resurrected</a> Apogee. Employees of both entities have already been let go. </p> <p><a href="http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=3866&game_id=257&id=60893#img60890"><img src="http://www.shacknews.com/shack_images/sshots/duke3d//shot1_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/screenshots.x?gallery=3866&game_id=257&id=60893#img60897"><img src="http://www.shacknews.com/shack_images/sshots/duke3d//shot7_thumbnail.jpg" /></a> <br /><i>Duke Nukem 3D</i></p> <p>Phone calls and e-mails to various 3D Realms veterans have thus far gone unanswered, with 3D Realms publishing partner Take-Two and Apogee partner Deep Silver likewise unavailable for comment. One 3D Realms spokesperson declined to comment when reached. </p> <p>3D Realms was founded in 1987 by Scott Miller and George Broussard, and was best known for its Duke Nukem series of shooters starring the titular, bubblegum-lacking hero. The studio had <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=720">infamously been working on Duke Nukem Forever</a>, the next flagship franchise entry, for over 12 years. </p> <p>A final push to release Duke Nukem Forever began in 2007, marked by a <a href="http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/50464">short teaser</a> starring the in-game hero that was released late that year. </p> <p>As recent as January 2009, company steward George Broussard wrote on his <a href="http://twitter.com/georgeb3dr">Twitter feed</a> that he was visiting Take-Two to show off the title. </p> <p><a href="http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58519">Duke Nukem Developer 3D Realms Shuts Down (Update 3) - Shacknews </a></p> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='http://res1.blogblog.com/tracker/6214430959664794120-3413327381250515056?l=ooedbone.blogspot.com'/></div><br />