Duke Nukem Forever cost 3D Realms head up to $30 million - Pitchford
Gearbox CEO estimates George Broussard sunk tens of millions into once-vaporware shooter prior to studio's closure.
3D Realms spent a staggering 12 years trying and failing to bring Duke Nukem Forever to market. Though the emotional toll that effort exacted on the studio remains unsaid, Duke Nukem Forever savior Gearbox Software has affixed a price tag to the labor. In an interview with CVG, Gearbox president and CEO Randy Pitchford said that 3D Realms head George Broussard spent $20 million to $30 million of his own money to finish Duke Nukem Forever.
"George Broussard is not a poor man but I would estimate that he lost $20-$30 million dollars of his own money on Duke Nukem Forever--I don't care who you are, that's a hell of a lot of money," Pitchford said. "He was committed to Duke to the point of insanity."
Pitchford's comments came as he detailed the events that led to Gearbox's acquisition of the Duke Nukem IP earlier this year. "There was the bad news in May 2009," Pitchford said. "You all saw the stories--3D Realms was shutting down, Duke was dead. That sucked. It was tough being in Dallas, many of my friends lost their jobs.
"I spoke to George Broussard, and he said, 'Randy, this is the worst day of my life,' but you could hear in his voice there was more," he continued. "This was 12 years of his life. Try and imagine what you've achieved in 12 years. Gearbox has made 15 games in that time."
Duke Nukem Forever returned to relevancy in August, when Gearbox trotted out a playable version of the game at the 2010 Penny Arcade Expo. The Borderlands studio went on to announce that it had acquired the Duke Nukem IP in perpetuity, including Duke Nukem Forever and all future developments in the franchise, from 3D Realms.
At that time, Pitchford emphasized that the game being brought to market was one and the same that 3D Realms had been toiling away at, confirming that he had hired many of the original Duke Nukem creators to finish the game. It is currently slated to arrive in 2011 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, and demo access is being promised to those who purchase Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition.
Stellar Blade Review Nintendo 64 – April 2024 Game Updates – Nintendo Switch Online Gori: Cuddly Carnage | Meow Launch Date Announcement Trailer Marvel Rivals - Official Loki Character Reveal Trailer | The King of Yggsgard Remnant 2 - The Forgotten Kingdom | DLC Launch Trailer Stellar Blade - Official "The Journey: Part 2" Behind The Scenes Trailer | PS5 Games Another Crab's Treasure Is A Soulslike 3D Platformer | GameSpot Review Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble - Official Multiplayer Features Trailer PUBG | Erangel Classic Returns Genshin Impact - "Arlecchino: Afterglow of Calamity" | Collected Miscellany Fortnite Festival - Official Billie Eilish Cinematic Season 3 Trailer Dead by Daylight | Tome 19: Splendor | Reveal Trailer
Please enter your date of birth to view this video
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
Join the conversation