The Duke is back - Duke Nukem Forever gets a release date
13 years following its first announcement, Duke Nukem Forever finally gets a release date - 2011.
Yes, finally what is probably the most anticipated game is coming to PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.
Given that DNF has been the biggest vaporware source for years now, I'm simply speechless at this announcement so I'll let 2K Games pick up the story:
Duke's return has been nothing short of astounding for everyone involved. Yesterday, we had approximately 200,000 views during our unveiling Ustream and hundreds upon hundreds of people coming to watch Randy Pitchford's demo, see the exclusive PAX trailer, and, most importantly, get some hands-on time with Duke Nukem Forever for the first time ever.
The press release also amps the game to epic levels:
Put on your sunglasses and prepare to step into the boots of Duke Nukem, whose legend has reached epic proportions in the years since his last adventure. The alien hordes are back and only Duke can save the world, again. Pig cops, alien shrink rays and enormous alien bosses won't stop our hero from accomplishing his one and only goal: to save the world, save the babes and to be a bad-ass while doing it. The King of All Shooters is back with over-the-top weapons, massive aliens and unprecedented levels of interactivity. This game puts pedal to the metal and tongue firmly in cheek, among other places. Shoot hoops, lift weights, read adult magazines, draw crude messages on whiteboards or ogle one of the many beautiful women that populate Duke's life; that is if you can pull yourself away long enough from kicking ass and taking names. Duke Nukem was and will forever be immortalized in gaming history, and this is his legend.
"Hail to the king, baby! It's unbelievable, it kicks ass and it's totally going to happen!" said Randy Pitchford, president of Gearbox Software, "Gearbox has enabled die-hard key Duke Nukem franchise builders and skilled veteran game makers to stand together and deliver. All gamers deserve a happy ending and after all of us gamers feeling the full range of emotions about Duke Nukem Forever, I am thrilled to be in a position with the trust, power and means to make it happen. Am I crazy? Balls of steel, baby, balls of steel!"
My biggest worry (or more accurately, fear) is that the game doesn't live up to expectations give the hype over the years. Things have changed a lot since Duke Nukem Forever was first announced in 1998 and I wonder if the inevitable compromises that will need to be made to prevent the game causing too much controversy will turn DNF into just another shooter.
I hope not!
More Duke news at www.dukenukem.com.