Duke Nukem Forever: Difference between revisions

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1997 -> 2011 is 14 years, not “more than 15”.
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| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
| series = ''[[Duke Nukem]]''
| engine = [[Unreal Engine]] (heavily modified)<ref>{{cite web |title=Spiele mit Unreal Engine - Von 1998 bis heute |url=https://www.gamestar.de/galerien/spiele_mit_unreal_engine,98204.html |website=www.gamestar.de |language=de-DE}}</ref>
| engine = [[Unreal Engine]]
| platforms = {{unbulleted list|[[Windows]]|[[PlayStation 3]]|[[Xbox 360]]|[[Mac OS X]]}}
| released = {{ubl|'''Windows''', '''PS3''', '''Xbox 360'''{{vgrelease|EU/AU|June 10, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>|NA|June 14, 2011<ref name="Eurogamer_releasedate"/>}}|'''Mac OS X'''{{vgrelease|WW|August 18, 2011}}<!-- Please do not update the date without referencing a reliable source; retailers do not count. -->}}
}}
 
'''''Duke Nukem Forever''''' is a 2011 [[first-person shooter]] [[Video game|game]] developed by [[Gearbox Software]] and published by [[2K (company)|2K]] for [[Windows]], [[PlayStation &nbsp;3]], and [[Xbox 360]] and [[MacOS X]].<ref name="gamein100903"/><ref name="dnpressrelease"/> It is the fourth main installment in the ''[[Duke Nukem]]'' series and the sequel to ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]'' (1996). Players control [[Duke Nukem (character)|Duke Nukem]] as he comes out of retirement to battle an alien invasion. Like its predecessor, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' features pop culture references, [[Toilet humour|toilet humor]], and adult content.
 
''Duke Nukem Forever'' began development under [[3D Realms]] and underwent [[Development of Duke Nukem Forever|a severely protracted development]] that lasted more than 14 &nbsp;years. Announced in 1997 following the critical and commercial success of ''Duke Nukem &nbsp;3D'', it was [[Development hell|delayed several times]], which was attributed to [[Game engine|engine]] changes, understaffing, and a lack of a development plan. After 3D Realms downsized in 2009, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was finished by Triptych Games, Gearbox Software and [[Piranha Games]]. It holds the [[Guinness world record]] for the longest development for a video game, though this period was exceeded in 2022 by ''[[Beyond Good and Evil &nbsp;2]]'', which remains unreleased {{as of|July 2024|lc=yes}} and ''[[Kien (video game)|Kien]]'', which took 22&nbsp;years to come to market.<ref name="kien">{{Cite news |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |language=en-GB |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |department=Games |accessdate=2024-07-04 |date=2024-07-04 |first=Patricia |last=Hernandez |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/04/kein-the-most-delayed-video-game-in-history-released-after-22-years |title=Kien, the most-delayed video game in history, released after 22 years}}</ref><!--This is not the same Guinness world record as the one held by Clockwork Aquario, which was not in continuous development-->
 
''Duke Nukem Forever'' was released on June 14, 2011, and received mostly unfavorable reviews, with criticism for its graphics, dated humor and story, simplistic mechanics, and unpolished performance and design. It did not meet sales expectations but was deemed profitable by [[Take-Two Interactive]], the owner of 2K Games. An additional episode, ''The Doctor Who Cloned Me'', was released as [[downloadable content]] later in the year. Early versions of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were leaked in 2022.
 
==Gameplay==
''Duke Nukem Forever'' is a [[first-person shooter]] that combines combat, exploration and puzzle-solving.<ref name=":2" /> The game also switches to a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person view]] when in vehicle use. Players control [[Duke Nukem (character)|Duke Nukem]], a 1980s-style action hero, as he battles alien invaders<ref name="IGN" /> through three main locations: Las Vegas, a highway and [[Hoover Dam]].<ref name=":2" /> Some areas feature [[boss fights]], [[Fetch quest|fetch quests]] and driving sequences;<ref name=":2" /> in one sequence, Duke is shrunk to a miniature size and drives a toy car.<ref name="IGN" /> Minigames include [[air hockey]], [[Whac-A-Mole|whack-a-mole]] and [[pinball]].<ref name="IGN" />
 
''Forever'' is slower than previous ''Duke Nukem'' games. As in the ''[[Halo (franchise)|Halo]]'' series, players can only carry two weapons at a time, and Duke's [[Health (game terminology)|health]] regenerates automatically.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="IGN" /> The weapons include a shotgun, trip mines, a [[shrink ray]] (which shrinks enemies so Duke can stomp on them) and a freeze ray (which freezes enemies so Duke can shatter them).<ref name="IGN" /> Like ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]], Forever'' includes pop culture references, [[Toilet humour|toilet humor]] and adult content, such as strip clubs and the ability to urinate.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=McDougall |first=Jaz |date=2010-10-05 |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' includes real-time peeing |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/duke-nukem-forever-includes-real-time-peeing/ |access-date=2022-05-31 |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531165946/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/duke-nukem-forever-includes-real-time-peeing/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] mode, players compete in games such as [[Deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]], [[capture the flag]] and [[King of the Hill (game)|king of the hill]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name="IGN" />
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==Development==
{{main|Development of Duke Nukem Forever}}
In 1996, 3D Realms released ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''. Set apart from other first-person shooter games by its adult humor and interactive world, it received positive reviews and sold around 3.5 million copies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=1 December 2009 |title=Learn to let go: how success klilled Duke Nukem |language=en-US |volume=18 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |issue=1 |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/fail-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> 3D Realms co-founder [[George Broussard]] announced the sequel, ''Duke Nukem Forever'', on April 27, 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-08-09 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Had More Advanced Graphics Until It Launched, Modders Discover |url=https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815203114/https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which he expected to be released by Christmas 1998. The game was widely anticipated.<ref name=":0" /> [[Scott Miller (entrepreneur)|Scott Miller]], 3D Realms' co-founder, felt the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise would last for decades across many iterations, like ''[[James Bond]]'' or ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Broussard and Miller funded ''Duke Nukem Forever'' using the profits from ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and other games. They gave the marketing and publishing rights to [[GT Interactive]], taking only a $400,000 advance.<ref name=":0" /> 3D Realms also began developing a 2D version of ''Duke Nukem'' ''Forever,'' which was canceled due to the rising popularity of 3D games.<ref name="atdec27">{{cite web |author=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Leaker posts an early, canceled 2D version of the infamous ''Duke Nukem Forever'' |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |accessdate=December 27, 2022 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227183119/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
=== Announcement ===
Rather than create a new [[game engine]], 3D Realms began development using Id Software's [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]].<ref name=":0" /> They demonstrated the first ''Duke Nukem Forever'' trailer at the [[E3]] convention in May 1998. Critics were impressed by its cinematic presentation and action scenes, with combat on a moving truck.<ref name=":0" /> According to staff, Broussard became obsessed with incorporating new technology and features from competing games and could not bear for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' to be perceived as outdated.<ref name=":0" /> Weeks after E3, he announced that 3D Realms had switched to [[Unreal Engine]], a new engine with better rendering capabilities for large spaces, requiring a reboot of the project.<ref name=":0" /> In 1999, they switched engines again, to a newer version of Unreal Engine.<ref name=":0" />
In 1996, 3D Realms released ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]''. Set apart from other first-person shooter games by its adult humor and interactive world, it received positiveuniversal reviewsacclaim by critics and sold around 3.5 million copies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Thompson |first=Clive |date=1 December 2009 |title=Learn to let go: how success klilledkilled Duke Nukem |language=en-US |volume=18 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |issue=1 |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/fail-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |language=en-US |volume=18 |issue=1 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The 3D Realms co-founder [[George Broussard]] announced the sequel, ''Duke Nukem Forever'', on April 27, 1997,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liang |first=Lu-Hai |date=2022-08-09 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Had More Advanced Graphics Until It Launched, Modders Discover |url=https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |website=TheGamer |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815203114/https://www.thegamer.com/duke-nukem-forever-once-had-more-advanced-graphics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which he expected to be released by Christmas 1998. The game was widely anticipated.<ref name=":0" /> [[Scott Miller (entrepreneur)|Scott Miller]], 3D Realms' co-founder, felt the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise would last for decades across many iterations, like ''[[James Bond]]'' or ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Broussard and Miller funded ''Duke Nukem Forever'' using the profits from ''Duke Nukem 3D'' and other games. They gave the marketing and publishing rights to [[GT Interactive]], taking only a $400,000 advance.<ref name=":0" /> 3D Realms also began developing a 2D version of ''Duke Nukem'' ''Forever,'' which was canceled due to the rising popularity of 3D games.<ref name="atdec27">{{cite web |author=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Leaker posts an early, canceled 2D version of the infamous ''Duke Nukem Forever'' |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |accessdate=December 27, 2022 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227183119/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/12/leaker-posts-an-early-canceled-2d-version-of-the-infamous-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
=== Engine changes and delays ===
Rather than create a new [[game engine]], 3D Realms began development using Id[[id Software]]'s [[Quake II engine|''Quake II'' engine]].<ref name=":0" /> They demonstrated the first ''Duke Nukem Forever'' trailer at the [[E3]] convention in May 1998. Critics were impressed by its cinematic presentation and action scenes, with combat on a moving truck.<ref name=":0" /> According to staff, Broussard became obsessed with incorporating new technology and features from competing games and could not bear for ''Duke Nukem Forever'' to be perceived as outdated.<ref name=":0" /> Weeks after E3, he announced that 3D Realms had switched to [[Unreal Engine]], a new engine with better rendering capabilities for large spaces, requiring a reboot of the project.<ref name=":0" /> In 1999, they switched engines again, to a newer version of Unreal Engine.<ref name=":0" />
 
By 2000, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was still far from complete. A developer who joined that year described it as a series of chaotic [[Tech demo|tech demos]], and the staff felt that Broussard had no fixed idea of what the final game would be.<ref name=":0" /> As the success of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' meant that 3D Realms did not require external funding, they lacked deadlines or financial pressure that could have driven the project. Broussard became defiant in response to questions from fans and journalists, saying it would be released "when it's done".<ref name=":0" /> In December 2000, the rights to publish ''Duke Nukem Forever'' were purchased by [[Take-Two Interactive]], which hoped to release it the following year.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2000-12-06 |title=Duke Nukem Eventually |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=[[IGN]] |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612110332/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/duke-nukem-eventually |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2001, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was being cited as a high-profile case of [[vaporware]], and ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' gave it the "vaporware of the year" award.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=4 June 2011 |title=Duke Nukem ends 12-year reign as vaporware king |language=en-US |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/06/duke-nukem-vaporware/ |access-date=2022-02-27 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>
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At E3 2001, 3D Realms released another trailer, the first public view of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' in three years. It received a positive response, and the team was elated, feeling that they were ahead of their competitors. However, Broussard still failed to present a vision for a final product. One employee felt that Miller and Broussard were developing "with a 1995 mentality", with a team much smaller than other major games of the time. By 2003, only 18 people were working on ''Duke Nukem Forever'' full time.<ref name=":0" /> In a 2006 presentation, Broussard told a journalist the team had "fucked up" and had restarted development.<ref name=":0" /> By August 2006, around half the team had left, frustrated by the lack of progress.<ref name=":0" />
 
According to Miller, the Canadian studio [[Digital Extremes]] was willing to take over the project in 2004, but the proposal was rejected by others at 3D Realms. Miller later described this as a "fatal suicide shot".<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |author1=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2022-05-11 |title=Former 3D Realms owners clash over Duke Nukem Forever blame |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/former-3d-realms-owners-blame-each-other-for-losing-duke-nukem-forever/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |archive-date=May 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511163144/https://www.pcgamer.com/former-3d-realms-owners-blame-each-other-for-losing-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2007, 3D Realms hired Raphael van Lierop as the new creative director. He was impressed by the game and felt it could be finished within a year, but Broussard disagreed.<ref name=":0" /> 3D Realms hired aggressively to expand the team to about 35 people. Brian Hook, the new creative lead, became the first employee to push back against Broussard.<ref name=":0" />

=== Layoffs and Gearbox takeover ===
In 2009, with 3D Realms having exhausted its capital, Miller and Broussard asked Take-Two for $6 million to finish the game.<ref name=":0" /> After no agreement was reached, Broussard and Miller laid off the team and ceased development.<ref name=":0" /> However, aA small team of ex-employees, which would later becomebecame Triptych Games, continued developing the gamedevelopment from their homes.<ref>{{cite web|last=e |title=Show 373: Another one without Major Nelson |url=http://majornelson.com/2010/10/12/show-373-another-one-without-major-nelson/ |work=Major Nelson Podcast |access-date=January 11, 2013 |date=October 12, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116171916/http://majornelson.com/2010/10/12/show-373-another-one-without-major-nelson/ |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }}</ref>
 
In September 2010, [[Gearbox Software]] announced that it had bought the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property from 3D Realms and would continue development of ''Duke Nukem Forever.''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2010 |title=Gearbox acquires ''Duke Nukem'' IP |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip/1100-6275307/ |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205115531/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip/1100-6275307/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Gearbox team included several members of the 3D Realms team, but not Broussard.<ref name=":1" /> On May 24, 2011, Gearbox announced that ''Duke Nukem Forever'' had "[[Golden master|gone gold]]" after 15 years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=2011-05-24 |title=''Duke Nukem Forever'' goes gold |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-24-duke-nukem-forever-goes-gold |access-date=2022-02-27 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |language=en |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227125831/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-24-duke-nukem-forever-goes-gold |url-status=live }}</ref> It holds the [[Guinness world record]] for the longest development for a video game, at 14 years and 44 days,<ref>{{cite web |title=Longest development period for a videogame |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-protracted-game-development |access-date=5 May 2018 |website=[[Guinness World Records]] |date=June 10, 2011 |archive-date=May 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506041248/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-protracted-game-development |url-status=live }}</ref><!--This is not the same Guinness world record as the one held by Clockwork Aquario, which was not in continuous development--> though this period was exceeded in 2022 by ''[[Beyond Good and Evil 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wolens |first=Joshua |date=2022-10-03 |title=''Beyond Good and Evil 2'' has broken ''Duke Nukem Forever'''s record for longest game development time |language=en |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-good-and-evil-2-has-broken-duke-nukem-forevers-record-for-longest-game-development-time/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004183755/https://www.pcgamer.com/beyond-good-and-evil-2-has-broken-duke-nukem-forevers-record-for-longest-game-development-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
In 2022, Miller released a blog post on the Apogee website about 3D Realms' failure to complete ''Duke Nukem Forever''. He attributed it to three major factors: understaffing, repeated engine changes and a lack of planning.<ref name=":4" /> On [[Twitter]], Broussard responded that Miller's claims were "nonsense", described him as manipulative and narcissistic, and accused him of blaming others. He blamed Miller for the loss of 3D Realms and the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property.<ref name=":4" />
 
==Marketing and release==
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| Edge = 3/10<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |title=Duke Nukem Forever review – Edge Magazine |publisher=Next-gen.biz |access-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718021108/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/duke-nukem-forever-review |archive-date=July 18, 2011 }}</ref>
| EuroG = 3/10<ref name="EG">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-12-duke-nukem-forever-review?page=3#justposted |title=Duke Nukem Forever |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |date=June 11, 2011 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615041244/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-12-duke-nukem-forever-review?page=3 |archive-date=June 15, 2011 }}</ref>
| GI = 6.75/10<ref name="gameinformerreview">{{cite web|last=Reiner |first=Andrew |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/duke_nukem_forever/b/ps3/archive/2011/06/14/12-years-in-the-making.aspx |title=Duke Nukem Forever review: 12 Years In The Making.. |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |date=June 14, 2011 |access-date=June 17, 2011 |url-status=livedead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618012315/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/duke_nukem_forever/b/ps3/archive/2011/06/14/12-years-in-the-making.aspx |archive-date=June 18, 2011 }}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="gamepro">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220392/review-duke-nukem-forever-360-ps3/ |title=Duke Nukem Forever Review from |publisher=GamePro |access-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202203722/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/220392/review-duke-nukem-forever-360-ps3/ |archive-date=December 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
| GameRev = D+<ref name=GRevolutionReview/>
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}}
 
On the review aggregation site [[Metacritic]], ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has a range score of 54 out ofbetween 49–54/100, indicating "Mixedmixed or average reviews" on the PC and PlayStation 3 versions and "generally negative reviews" on the Xbox 360 version.<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS3"/><ref name="MCX360"/> Criticism focused on the long loading times, clunky controls, offensive humor and dated design. The critics Elton Jones of [[Complex (magazine)|''Complex'']],''<ref name="destructoidreview" />'' [[Jim Sterling]] of ''Destructoid''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_X2tYMO40 Jimquisition: The Ten Worst Games of 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721145013/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID_X2tYMO40 |date=July 21, 2016 }}. YouTube (2012-06-26). Retrieved on 2013-07-31.</ref> and [[BenYahtzee Croshaw|Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw]], creator of ''[[Zero Punctuation]]'', named it among the worst games of the year.<ref>[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/5207-Top-5-of-2011 The Escapist : Video Galleries : Zero Punctuation : Top 5 of 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405032631/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation/5207-Top-5-of-2011 |date=April 5, 2015 }}. Escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved on 2013-07-31.</ref>
 
Many critics disliked the level design and shooting. Kevin VanOrd of ''[[GameSpot]]'' felt that the "joy" of the ''Duke Nukem 3D'' combat had been "flattened", with "little sense of impact", and found the design tedious. He called ''Duke Nukem Forever'' a "bad, boring, bargain bin kind of game".<ref name="GSPC"/> ''[[Eurogamer]]'' wrote that the locations lacked the "exploration and excitement that made ''Duke 3D'' such a memorable experience", and that the levels were too linear, with "huge chunks of the game are spent simply walking from one fight to another through uninspired corridors".<ref name="EG"/> ''[[IGN]]'' felt the shooting was "simple fun", but criticized the platforming sequences, which "make up an unnecessarily large percentage of the story mode".<ref name="IGN"/> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' concluded that the "world-record development time has produced an ugly, buggy shooter that veers back and forth between enjoyably average and outright boring, with occasional surges of greatness along the way".<ref name="gamesradarreview"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' felt that "unexpected moments ... are really the game's biggest strengths. But they're few and far between."<ref name="gamepro" />
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== Legacy ==
In the years since its release, ''Duke Nukem Forever'' has been cited as one of the [[List of video games notable for negative reception|worstmost disappointing video games of all time]], mainly attributed to its extremely long and arduous development cycle. In their 2016 list of the 8 worst games of all time, ''[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]'' called it "an example of what happens when the hype is far greater than the quality of the game".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-19 |title=8 of the Worst Games of All Time |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/8-of-the-worst-games-of-all-time/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521094005/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/8-of-the-worst-games-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
In a retrospective, ''[[Destructoid]]'' stated that reactions at the time "ranged from negative to 'I guess it could have been worse,'" and that much of the failure was down to its imitation of the first-person shooter contemporaries at the time and that the game lacked "self-awareness".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-10 |title=Duke Nukem Forever proves the worst part of Duke Nukem is Duke Nukem |url=https://www.destructoid.com/duke-nukem-forever-proves-the-worst-part-of-duke-nukem/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064405/https://www.destructoid.com/duke-nukem-forever-proves-the-worst-part-of-duke-nukem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In another retrospective, ''[[Screen Rant]]'' attributed the negative reaction to the long development, rather than any specific aspect of the final game, with the series's sense of humour being more frowned on than in the eras of its previous entries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-29 |title=Why Duke Nukem Didn't Reboot Successfully |url=https://screenrant.com/duke-nukem-forever-reboot-problems-bad-remake-series/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064404/https://screenrant.com/duke-nukem-forever-reboot-problems-bad-remake-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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=== Leaks ===
On May 9, 2022, an unfinished version of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' from 2001, including the level editor and the full source code, leaked online.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zak |first=Robert |date=2022-05-09 |title=The leaked 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever is actually real |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-leaked-2001-build-of-duke-nukem-forever-is-actually-real/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510064405/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-leaked-2001-build-of-duke-nukem-forever-is-actually-real/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Broussard confirmed its authenticity on [[Twitter]], stating that he did not know who had leaked it and that "there is no real game to play".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Broussard |first=George |title=Yes, the leak looks real. No, I'm not really interested in talking about it or retreading a painful past. You should heavily temper expectations. There is no real game to play. Just a smattering of barely populated test levels. I have no knowledge who leaked this.|user=georgebsocial|number=1523602422437842944 |access-date=July 17, 2022|date=May 9, 2022}}</ref> Miller, in a post on the [[Apogee Entertainment|Apogee]] website, wrote that "anyone expecting much of a playable game will be disappointed".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Scott |date=2022-05-10 |title=The Truth About Duke Nukem Forever |url=https://www.apogeeent.com/devblog/dnf-truth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511053544/https://www.apogeeent.com/devblog/dnf-truth |archive-date=2022-05-11 |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=Apogee Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> The leak includes a version of ''Duke Nukem 3D''{{'s}} first level that ends with a sequence taken from the television series ''[[Twin Peaks]]''. Writing for ''[[Ars Technica]]'', Sam Machkovech found that the gunfights were "surprisingly solid", with "punchy sound design and powerful weapons", and resembled the ''[[Soldier of Fortune (video game)|Soldier of Fortune]]'' series. He wrote that the leak included large environments, such as casinos, built to a realistic scale, and "play out like a confused team coming to grips with brand-new engine technology, simply building out larger-than-usual levels without yet getting to the crucial stages of balancing".<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2022-05-12 |title=We have played the lost Duke Nukem Forever build from 2001 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-have-played-the-lost-duke-nukem-forever-build-from-2001/ |access-date=June 19, 2022 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610171459/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/05/we-have-played-the-lost-duke-nukem-forever-build-from-2001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A fan project, called the ''Duke Nukem Forever Restoration Project'', aims to bring the leaked version of the game to a more complete state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heaton |first=Andrew |date=2022-09-01 |title=First Trailers For Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Restoration Project Drop |url=https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-trailer/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Patrick Perrault |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Restoration Mod Project Announced |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-mod-project-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625013822/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-mod-project-announced |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |accessdate=June 20, 2022 |work=TechRaptor}}</ref> The "first slice" of the work in progress [[Video game modding|mod]] was released in late December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |author=Andrew Heaton |date=December 22, 2022 |title=Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Fan Restoration Project Is Out Now |url=https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-release/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102192429/https://gamerant.com/duke-nukem-forever-2001-restoration-project-release/ |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |accessdate=August 25, 2023 |work=[[Game Rant]]}}</ref>
 
A 1996 version of the canceled [[2D game|2D]] version of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' was leaked in December 2022.<ref name="atdec27" />
 
==Notes==
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{{Reflist|refs=
<!-- <ref name="shack100903">{{cite web | url=http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=23904881#item_23904881 | title=Duke Nukem Forever Hands-on Preview (comment from George Broussard) | date=September 3, 2010 |first1=George |last1=Broussard| author-link1=George Broussard |first2=Allen H., III |last2=Blum | quote=Triptych Games which continued the game for us through all of 2009 and into 2010 with Gearbox. Triptych is made up of 9 3DR employees who refused to let the game go and we found a way through the legal maze to keep them working on the game and to keep the game alive. They have been the development force for the last year that's made the game possible. What you see coming from PAX right now is what we originally made at 3DR with polish and additional work by Triptych and assistance from Gearbox |access-date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> -->
<ref name="gamein100903">{{cite web|last=Cork |first=Jeff |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx |title=Duke Nukem Forever hitting in 2011 |quote=We now know that Gearbox started working on the game year ago |publisher=Gameinformer.com |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=livedead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909104949/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/03/duke-nukem-forever-hitting-in-2011.aspx |archive-date=September 9, 2010 }}</ref>
<!-- <ref name="ausgam110218">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2972677 |title=Duke Nukem Forever Interview with Gearbox Software |publisher=AusGamers.com |access-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021043925/http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2972677 |archive-date=October 21, 2010 }}</ref> -->
<ref name="dnpressrelease">{{cite web|url=http://www.dukenukem.com |title=Press Release: Duke Nukem Forever Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum |publisher=DukeNukem.com |date=January 21, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2011 |quote=2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history... |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127063243/http://www.dukenukem.com/ |archive-date=January 27, 2007 }}</ref>
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