News - 3D Realms says goodbye

[HEXUS]

Duke Nukem developer appears to confirm its closure with a brief statement on its website.

Read more.

[Jay]

thats a real shame but it had to happen

[tickedon]

thats a real shame but it had to happen

Why did have to happen?

The most annoying thing is that we've had nothing about DNF really in 12 years, and now that it's over all these great screenshots and potential gameplay videos appears. At least we know they were busy, and they were busy making what looks like a really kick ass game...

[cheesemp]

I'm sorry - 12 years - as a software developer I can't believe someone in the management didn't give a project manager a kickup the arse or got one himself. I could understand 2, 3 or even 4 years but that stupidly long in terms of consumer software (most software thats released doesn't get support this long). I feel really sorry for the employees but someone really let the ball drop.

[staffsMike]

"DNF" is a really unfortunate abbriviation/acronym (can't decide what it is) for that game

Really sad to see them go though, they were the rulers of the FPS for a time.

[kalniel]

Why did have to happen?

The most annoying thing is that we've had nothing about DNF really in 12 years, and now that it's over all these great screenshots and potential gameplay videos appears.

So you missed all the screenshot and video clips that they put out over the last 12 years?

[Fraz]

Given that 3D Realms had failed to deliver a finished product after 12 years of trying, its closure might actually increase the chances of the game being completed

12 years - that's crazy long. In fact, it such a long time-scale that technology changes would render much of the original development useless.

Just think - 12 years ago the original Half-Life wasn't even out. That game ran on my 233 MHz Pentium-2 laptop with a 4-meg VRAM non-3D accelerating graphics card. I doubt I could even view this webpage today with that laptop...

[Hicks12]

Yes 12years is long but its cause they wanted a finish product and they made like 3 or 4 engine changes which means 12 years is realistic(few years per engine). Unfortunately methods of providing a pro game over a long period doesnt work well(it should though) and yet crappy games pumped out from big companies like EA make them loads.

[Yosh]

I don't think many people are surprised by this, considering the length of time its taken on DN forever, and the lack of output in recent years. Shame though.

[OilSheikh]

Rip.

[TAKTAK]

http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/t...rever-gameplay

edit: just to point out, ^^ that's an online version of the rapidshare link at the end of the article...

Just thought it was a bit more convenient

[mayhem]

So you missed all the screenshot and video clips that they put out over the last 12 years?

Wow so there were **** then 12 years just to render some thing lol ....................

[TooNice]

Yes 12years is long but its cause they wanted a finish product and they made like 3 or 4 engine changes which means 12 years is realistic(few years per engine). Unfortunately methods of providing a pro game over a long period doesnt work well(it should though) and yet crappy games pumped out from big companies like EA make them loads.

It may be realistic given that they changed engines several times, but I don't see that in itself as a good idea. Even if their goals was not to maximise profit (good on them, and as a gamer, there's nothing I would like to applaud more), I don't see how a project taking to long to develop won't lose them money. And unless the project was self-funded (paid out of the employees own pocket - for 12 years no less), I don't see how they can expect to be funded for so long (I am surprised that the plug was only pulled out now to be honest).

Blizzard's software development cycle is about as long (and ideal) as it should in my opinion. They do take their sweet time between each game, but few would argue that their games are not of the highest quality. Sure one could argue that the graphics of the end products tend to be rather average compared to other titles available at the time. But I view that as better than adding another 3-5 years just to move to a new engine. At least they are still around to make more quality games.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Duke Nukem 3D immensely. And I would say that it's a shame that 3D Realms is gone and Duke Nukem Forever likely with it, I just never had the impression that the game was ever going to be released (yes I have seen the screenshots and video - barely a teaser though).

[MadduckUK]

play serious sam. do your own duke impressions. done

[davidcrofter]

Surely if they felt the graphics were not up to date and maybe showing their age they should have switched this to a Wii Exclusive Title job done ....