3D Realms Demise Takes Another Twist

[Dark Drakan]

3D Realms Demise Takes Another Twist

3D Realms has denied reports that the studio has closed, although it has admitted to having to lay off the Duke Nukem Forever development team.

Despite rumours and statements to the contrary, 3D Realms (3DR) has not closed and is not closing. 3DR retains ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise. Due to lack of funding, however, we are saddened to confirm that we let the Duke Nukem Forever (DNF) development team go on May 6, while we regroup as a company. While 3DR is a much smaller studio now, we will continue to operate as a company and continue to licence and co-create games based upon the Duke Nukem franchise.

Last week publisher Take-Two said it was suing the studio for its failure to finish Duke Nukem Forever after 12 years in development.

3D Realms have also issued a statement about that and are fighting the lawsuit.

Take-Two was well aware that 3DR needed the funding to continue the DNF game development. Suddenly, after months of negotiations, Take-Two materially changed the parameters of the proposed funding agreement. "3DR informed Take-Two that it could not financially afford the changes Take-Two was suggesting and would be forced to release the team if an agreement was not reached. Take-Two then apparently attempted to acquire the Duke Nukem franchise and the 3DR development team, although the developer said it found the proposal "unacceptable... for many reasons". Not least among them, the offer didn't include upfront cash or a guarantee to complete DNF. Less than a week after the DNF team was released, Take-Two filed its lawsuit in New York, seeking immediate temporary injunctive relief.

The court denied Take-Two's request for a temporary restraining order. While we cannot comment on the details of the ongoing lawsuit, we believe Take-Two's lawsuit is without merit and merely a bully tactic to obtain ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise. We will vigorously defend ourselves against this publisher.