The 12-year-long development soap opera that was Duke Nukem Forever ended on a disappointing note. More disappointing for publisher Take-Two Interactive, which invested over $12 million in the game. Understandably, Take-Two is suing 3D Realms.


Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. filed a breach of contract suit against Apogee Software Ltd. this week in a Manhattan Court over the developer's "continually delayed" Duke Nukem sequel. Details of the suit were not disclosed in a report by Bloomberg, nor has the New York County Civil Court provided specifics about the damages Take-Two is seeking.


(For the record, the legal name of 3D Realms is Apogee Software Ltd., the party being sued. It is a separate entity from Apogee Software LLC, developers of the still alive Duke Nukem Trilogy.)

According to the complaint, "Apogee repeatedly assured Take-Two and the video-gaming community that it was diligently working toward competing development of the PC Version of the Duke Nukem Forever."

Those assurances have yet to result in a working, shippable product. Instead, 3D Realms was shut down and many former Duke Nukem Forever staffers are looking for work.


After repeated promises that "industry joke" Duke Nukem Forever was finally "on the right track" and rumored to have been released year in and year out, Take-Two went far enough to offer cash incentives to 3D Realms to have the game finished at various points. Looks like the developer is completely out of cash now. And may owe more than it expected.


Take-Two Sues Apogee Over ‘Duke Nukem' Game Sequel [Bloomberg]