E3 2008: Apogee returns

Long-dormant 3D Realms publisher relaunches label with promise of rereleasing its legacy catalogue; Duke Nukem Trilogy slated for "handheld market."

In December, 3D Realms shocked the industry by showing, for the first time since 2001, brand-new footage for the long-regarded-vaporware Duke Nukem Forever. While scarcely more than a minute of footage, the teaser indicated that 3D Realms was on the verge of releasing Duke Nukem Forever in 2008. Comments by 3D Realms' George Broussard notwithstanding, a report from the Dallas Business Journal indicates the developer is targeting an Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 release, in addition to the PC.

With the Duke's revival assured--dare it be said--it now appears that one more remnant from the past will reemerge. Today, Apogee Software--abandoned by 3D Realms as a publishing label since 1996--announced that it would be relaunching its publishing efforts for smaller-scale development by bringing back a number of games from its legacy catalogue, as well as all-new properties.

Apogee's first project will be a three-episode Duke Nukem Trilogy that it plans to bring to the "handheld market." The trilogy's individual installments will be titled Critical Mass, Chain Reaction, and Proving Grounds. However, Apogee did not elaborate on which specific platforms the games would arrive, when they are expected to hit the market, or if the three titles were part of a single product or part of a trio of releases. Apogee had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

"This marks a new beginning for a famous publisher with a history of market-making innovation," said Apogee chief operating officer and cofounder Terry Nagy. "I can't think of a better character than Duke or a better franchise than the Trilogy to usher in a new era for Apogee."

37 Comments

  • Hungry_bunny Site moderator

    Posted Jul 21, 2008 10:14 am PT

    i wonder how long we have to wait for more news about this?

  • thunderbone

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 11:29 pm PT

    "I personally think the Duke is better suited, in terms of style, for the PSP. Scanty chicks and big guns don't sound like a DS any more than GTA does."

    I disagree. I think this is just what the best-selling hand-held needs to pick itself up and break away from the long-time kiddy image. And in terms of GAMEPLAY, the DS is superior with the use of the stylus and touch screen. The PSP is the WORST for FPS's. Using the action buttons to look up, down, left, and right is terrible. I didn't like it in the PSX/N64 days, nor do I now.

    Though, before you dismiss me as a DS fanboy, I do own a PSP and find that it is far superior to the DS when it comes to racing games in terms of gameplay. I think it's a travesty that GRiD came out for every system EXCEPT for the PSP.

    I've been spoiled by analog control for too long and don't like the idea of going backwards like digital + buttons to steer and digital action buttons to look around.

  • lightningbugx

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 7:01 am PT

    Well, I better get rations for 2 years now. I was expecting this game to release when the world ends, and that might now be sooner than I thought.

  • lettuceman44

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 1:04 pm PT

    Apogee? Need to find out about this game.

  • grambyte

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 5:23 am PT

    hmmm, would be cool if it were to come out..

  • Agelu

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 12:31 am PT

    Bring Commander Keen!!

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 7:40 am PT

    Apogee. Just hearing that name makes me feel like I have returned to the mide 90's. So when is the next Rise of the Triad game coming out?

  • Agulf

    Posted Jul 16, 2008 6:29 am PT

    I think the real question is WHEN IS HOKUS POKUS 2 COMMING?

  • KBABZ

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:51 pm PT

    I personally think the Duke is better suited, in terms of style, for the PSP. Scanty chicks and big guns don't sound like a DS any more than GTA does.

    Here's hoping Apogee brings back Commander Keen as well.

  • Teuvan

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    This isn't only the best news to come out of E3, this may very well be the best piece of gaming-related news I've ever heard. I imagine this is how a Christian would feel if Jesus suddenly came back and held a press conference to the effect of: "hay guyz I'm back. btw - bible part 2's on the way."

  • lonewolf1044

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 3:22 pm PT

    Hope my boy does come back. "Who's Your Daddy!" Still have all his games in my collection.

  • Jason____

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 1:49 pm PT

    Wow! Okay, the games that they release are REQUIRED to play the old Apogee tune when you start them. THAT'S THE LAW!

  • PacoL250

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 9:37 am PT

    Apogee huh? Rise of the Triad and Raptor, FTW.

  • gamah_killah

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 8:32 am PT

    The return of Apogees seems too epic

  • DrKill09

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:52 am PT

    This trillogy better be for the DS.

    Apogee. Never thought I'd see them again.

  • BDNiner

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:40 am PT

    Hopefully they can bring back commander keen. i believe they still own the publishing rights to the games just like the original duke nukems trilogy. If both trilogies appear on the DS that would make my day.

  • planetpib

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:13 am PT

    I have been waiting 10 years.....just give me the new duke.

  • Cube_of_MooN

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 6:49 am PT

    I've never really played a Duke Nukem game before, so I can't really say what I think of this...

  • otanikun

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 6:02 am PT

    Duke Nukem on PSP plz ^^
    Oh and 3-D Realms? I want that new DN game now, it's been over 10 years and thus appalling if not more so it's not out by now.
    I was still in grade school when it was supposed to be released, so plz, DNF FTW!

  • LanceVance87

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 1:32 am PT

    BRING BACK RAPTOR!

  • LanceVance87

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 1:32 am PT

    BRING BACK RAPTOR!

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:35 pm PT

    Apogee, lol. Rise of the Triad FTW!

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:12 pm PT

    That's what they always say.

  • suprsolider

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:05 pm PT

    Apogee can't bring back Commander Keen because ID software owns the rights since they were THEIR games.

  • Gamingcucumber

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 8:26 pm PT

    So are we going to wait 10 years before we get those games too?

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 8:00 pm PT

    @dr_jashugan: I agree..i won't believe till i see it

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 7:46 pm PT

    Man this is really cool.

  • ne0man

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 7:39 pm PT

    I hope they bring back the Raptor franchise, does anyone remember? it was a very nice vertical scroller shooter! the age of shareware...fond memories!

  • LordAndrew

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 6:13 pm PT

    To clarify, DNF will (maybe someday) be coming to PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, while the Duke Nukem Trilogy will be coming to the "handheld market".

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:52 pm PT

    So, I assume their plan to revive Duke Nukem is to release the first 2 or 3 in hand held form, followed by the actual FOREVER game, in hopes to build anticipation and excitement for it before it comes out. In other words, they will hype the crap out of it and then release FOREVER and hope to live up to that massive storage of hype.

  • IsaacMG

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:42 pm PT

    Bring back Bio Menace!

  • rambo_ando GameSpot staff member

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:40 pm PT

    Bring back Commander Keen!

  • dr_jashugan

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:36 pm PT

    Still, seeing is believing.

  • maninatrunk

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:29 pm PT

    hmm I thought you said handheld market meaning psp and ns? this says ps3 and xbox? that sucks because anything the psp gets that other systems get just sucks!

  • JackfnBurton

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:27 pm PT

    Is it April again already?

  • ZippyDSMLee

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    I'd put in 50$ for patched for XP/Vista Duke nukem+ add ons + shadow warrior.

  • football_legend

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 4:49 pm PT

    This is so lame that no body will post comments..............................OH DOI!

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