Duke Nukem Forever confirmed for '08--and 360/PS3?

What we heard: After a decade-long development roller coaster, Duke Nukem reentered the public eye last December, when developer 3D Realms released a teaser trailer for the game. Though brief, the clip showed the game's iconic cigar-chomping hero and several monstrous foes rendered using a modern engine, hinting that the game, first announced in 1997, might be at last on track for completion.

Then today, the Web site for the Dallas Business Journal, a local paper dedicated to Texan metropolitan commerce, ran a story with the headline flatly saying, "Duke Nukem Forever confirmed for 2008, coming to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3." The article quoted 3D Realms president Scott Miller as saying the game would not only be released by the end of the year, but would be arriving on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to the PC.

"We may miss the mark by a month or two, but I feel very confident that we're on target this time," Miller was quoted as saying. As for 3D Realms' console plans, the Dallas Business Journal quoted an e-mail from Miller saying, "Hitting the big three makes the most sense (PC, PS3, 360)." (Emphasis added.)

However, following a report on Shacknews saying DNF's release date had not been confirmed by 3D Realms, the Dallas Business Journal quickly adjusted its initial article--and gave it a much less authoritative tone.

"An earlier version of this story said 3D Realms had 'confirmed' the game's release in late 2008," read a new footnote to the Journal piece, which now bears the headline, "Duke Nukem Forever release possible in 2008, coming to home consoles." The new piece quotes Miller as saying, "We can't make an official announcement," and that the late 2008 release date remains "an internal push."

The official story: [UPDATE] Tuesday afternoon, 3D Realms George Broussard directed GameSpot editors to an official response he posted on the official 3D Realms forums.

"In what appears to be an unfortunate turn of events, there seems to have been some confusion between what was 'off the record' and what was not," said Broussard. "While we have internal targets, dates and goals, like every developer, we are not ready to share them. What's amazing about this is that the DBJ must have assumed that we'd actually announce a date to them, and not gaming press, and that even in the light of Scott's quote of 'We can't make an official announcement.'"

So what is DNF's official release date? Turns out, it's the same as it always has been. "The release date is still 'When it's done, 'and will be until the appropriate moment," continued Broussard. "Platforms have not been finalized or announced. You can rest assured that we are moving toward a goal and that the recently released teaser trailer is the start of that process and seeing more of the game, sooner than later."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that it has been confirmed for this year. Not bogus that 3D Realms is interested in bringing the game to consoles after it arrives on the PC--whenever that will be.