Death of 3D Realms

[SavannahLion]

Wow... somehow I didn't really expect this to happen.
http://www.3drealms.com/

I practically cut my teeth on 3D Realm/Apogee PC games. One of the first shareware titles I ever picked up was Whacky Wheels. I remember my setup then too. A crappy AMD K6 233Mhz with all IBM hardware (crappy because it was IBM, not because it was K6). I couldn't figure out how to configure the audio card under DOS so I had to settle for the farting noises from the built in speaker. Built in Ati Rage II video, built in crap audio pretending to be Soundblaster, plugin modem, no NIC. Can't remember if I had 32MB or 64MB of RAM at the time.

Then I discovered Duke Nukem and practically fell in love with FPS games overnight (no really, it was an all night gaming session). I remember setting up some of my earliest LAN games with Duke. Before I shelled out for a NIC, I used a hacked Serial NULL cable from Rat Shack for some of those earliest games.    Then I got copies of RotT and Wolfenstein 3D and overnight gaming sessions suddenly balloned in to three day marathons. I spent weeks building new maps using the Build editor then playing out scenarios with friends. I created fully mapped out local ski resorts, schools, businesses and grocery stores for D3D. Hours wasted tweaking each map for maximum playability. I lost track how many aliens I've killed, how many times I died a crushing death, or laughing at the alien on the toilet.

I don't think even Quake could interfere with my game time with Duke. The only game that would ever steal my love of Duke was Half-Life (Unreal almost succeeded). No other game since Duke grabbed my attention as much.

Now, with this whole DNF fiasco, I can see why there's a lot of love lost for the company and the franchise in general. ---smurfing--- around in forums instead of actually working on the game is probably a good way to get some negative publicity. Still, having DNF in infinite, "when it's done," status hovering there in the corner of ones mind is a lot like having McDonalds at every other street corner. I don't eat there (I used to as a kid) but I would never expect any Mickey D's to suddenly shutter their stores. They're just too much a part of the landscape.

Oh well. It's been fun while it lasted. 

[TOK]

I loved Duke 3d, it was one of the first games I played multi-player in, spending entire nights with a buddy playing modem deathmatch games.

With its popularity, they had a franchise for life, and should have been on the 4th or 5th release by now. That team snatched failure from the face of victory and totally shoulder the blame. The fact that anybody even cares 12 years later is a testament to what they had.

[CheffoJeffo]

Damned kids ... get offa my lawn !

There is only one true Duke!



j/k ... while I did enjoy the scrollers, DN3D has always been my favourite "fun" FPS.

[Hoopz]

I read this story the other day and found it quite depressing.  Like SavannahLion, I enjoyed Duke Nukem 3D tremendously.  It was the first game that I played online with TEN and also with a null modem.  The only FPS that I enjoyed like Duke was the original quake.  I remember hauling around a P60 to play with a buddy....

Heck, my user name that I've used all these years was the one I first picked playing DN3D on TEN.

It's a shame that they ran into all those problems.  The game play was fun and entertaining and the number of innovations in multiplayer really set it apart:  pipe bombs, jet pack, steroids, shrinker, etc.  I last installed it and played through it about a year or so ago.  Despite the lower quality graphics, the game play still stands up very well.

[Flip_Willie]

They deserved to die after they made that Shadow Warrior game, IMO.  Proof positive that you can't simply change the graphics and tap the same well twice.

You are clearly wrong, Shadow Warrior was a phenomenal game. Come on man, you could drive tanks and bulldozers! Also, some of SW's weapons are cooler than DN3D's.   

Wow... somehow I didn't really expect this to happen.
http://www.3drealms.com/

Honestly, I was quite surprised. They seemed to have been making pretty good progress on DNF in the last couple of years.





Interestingly, Take-Two is now suing them for not delivering the finished product. Apparently, Take-Two invested a nice sum of money into the games development.
Full Story

[Ginsu Victim]

Man, I loved 3D Realms. So many memories.

As for Duke3D, I loved the Build engine! It was so cool to make to a level from within the level. Up until a crash that killed all of my files, I still maps I'd made, including one I'd made of my high school (this was several years before Columbine).

That Duke Nukem Forever vid looks great. Maybe in 2024 we'll get to play it.

[ark_ader]

Who cares, about 3D Realms anyway?

P2P is, pretty much killing software, creators day in, and out.

Prepare, to see more big names, biting the big one, and go out, of business.

I like, Duke Nukem though. 

Sorry, cannot think of any more random crap, to post about this. 

[bartre]

well, I can't say I'm surprised, they hadn't come out with a big game in a while, and that'll slowly bleed any company to death.
that's not to say I'm not sad about it, when i read about it, i reinstalled duke3D and manhattan project and ended up playing for a good 7 hours( that's saying something for me, i normally don't spend more than an hour anymore)

[RayB]

So they close 3D Realms, write off a crap-load of financial losses, and then go back to business as usual under the Apogee Software name (which they've already revived).  The Duke franchise doesn't die with them. I'm still hopeful for a proper Duke FPS sequel! 

[Dartful Dodger]

Max Payne 3 is/was being released this year.

They're also hiring a (professional or amateur)Level Designer.

[Flip_Willie]

Honestly, I was quite surprised. They seemed to have been making pretty good progress on DNF in the last couple of years.

If that's all they had, I'm not particularly impressed.  We've got forum members around here that I think could have knocked that demo out in short order.

I didn't say great progress. Comparing this to what they had before -- which was nothing save a nearly decade old/outdated demo -- they had been making good progress.   

So they close 3D Realms, write off a crap-load of financial losses, and then go back to business as usual under the Apogee Software name (which they've already revived).  The Duke franchise doesn't die with them. I'm still hopeful for a proper Duke FPS sequel! 

I hope as well.

[abzman2000]

now I'm upset. I really want to play the game in that video, it looks fun and pretty.  I assume they won't scrap the whole project, there is already enough to release a game in a few months like the guy narated in the video.  Now where's a hacker to steal the code and other materials and release it to the public like there was for HL2, that would be what I am hoping for (assuming they don't restart the project... again). 

[massive88]

Duke was in development for 12 years.

That means it was being worked on when quake 2 was still being worked on.

They deserved to go belly up.

[massive88]

Who cares, about 3D Realms anyway?

P2P is, pretty much killing software, creators day in, and out.

Prepare, to see more big names, biting the big one, and go out, of business.

Id love for you to back this up with any sort of factual argument.

---smurfy--- software is killing creators, same as it always has.  The video games industry is as big as its ever been, and P2P has been around far longer than the past few years. 

If you are selling a quality product, it will get bought and embraced.  If you funnel out rehashed ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, or try to rehash ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for 12 years, then you go out of business.

Do you think Blizzard, Bethesda, BioWare, Electronic Arts, iD, Valve, Infinity Ward, Capcom, Konami or anyone else who actually produces quality games sweats P2P for more than a second?  (EA quality opinions notwithstanding)

[SithMaster]

Damned kids ... get offa my lawn !

There is only one true Duke!



j/k ... while I did enjoy the scrollers, DN3D has always been my favourite "fun" FPS.

I grew up on this and commander keen.  It had the energizer bunny for crying out load.

edit-I liked the commentary in the video.  It should be said that while it has taken a very long time for something to be produced having it finished in the best possible way is important.  Yes 12 years is a bit excessive, but then again game design is special.  Would any of us really have wanted this to be out using the quake 2 engine?  I might not have the same attachment to duke 3d as the rest of you but I can appreciate that they took their time (a very long time) to make something unique that would be fun and stand out among the fps genre.

[boykster]

Who cares, about 3D Realms anyway?

P2P is, pretty much killing software, creators day in, and out.

Prepare, to see more big names, biting the big one, and go out, of business.

I like, Duke Nukem though. 

Sorry, cannot think of any more random crap, to post about this. 

You ever meet a comma you DIDN'T like? 

[SavannahLion]

---smurfy--- software is killing creators, same as it always has.  The video games industry is as big as its ever been, and P2P has been around far longer than the past few years.

I believe they were called BB's? I also remember Sneaker Net. I remember carrying around an old floppy with a self extracting copy of PKZip just to use with SN.

now I'm upset. I really want to play the game in that video, it looks fun and pretty.  I assume they won't scrap the whole project, there is already enough to release a game in a few months like the guy narated in the video.  Now where's a hacker to steal the code and other materials and release it to the public like there was for HL2, that would be what I am hoping for (assuming they don't restart the project... again).

Wasn't really much of a hacker. He leveraged poor security rules with Outlook, stole the source code, then proceeded to suffer the wrath of nearly the entire HL community. A good hacker wouldn't have gotten caught. Regardless of any debate of what he did was wrong or right, Gabe deserved what he got anyways.

So they close 3D Realms, write off a crap-load of financial losses, and then go back to business as usual under the Apogee Software name (which they've already revived).  The Duke franchise doesn't die with them. I'm still hopeful for a proper Duke FPS sequel! 

Wow, I wasn't aware they revived Apogee. I thought it too died about ten or so years ago.

Seems a little strange to kill off one brand, only to revive another brand. It's pretty well established that DNF is mired in DevHell. So moving the people from one company to another really doesn't change anything. Oh well, here's hoping that Apogee (and Take Two?) will bring forth the Legendary Mana that is Duke. 

[ahofle]

D3D was such a great game.  Me and a friend used to tune those config files that came with the game for better deathmatching.  We had the weapons so perfectly balanced that any one of them were useful (unlike the defaults).  The trip mines were an instant kill for example. 
Maybe this is for the better.  It could end up with someone like Valve who sees it through to completion?

[TOK]

Take 2 says they invested 12 million dollars in the DNF and is suing for the source code. If they win this, they might still have someone finish the game. I suppose that could be good or bad, depending on who is chosen.

[SavannahLion]

It could end up with someone like Valve who sees it through to completion?

No! No, no NO! You have no idea what Valve is really like. Their fans are blinded by their successes and never remember their ---That which is odiferous and causeth plants to grow---. Valve needs to keep their grubby hands off of this. If Take Two wins the lawsuit, I have faith in their ability to market the product but they need to get a decent dev group for it. It would be a shame to see DN reduced to yet another GTA clone.

[Flip_Willie]

I had a lan party last weekend, and we (four friends and I) played Duke 3D for several hours. Crazy fun game. Steroids are awesome (In the game, of course). 

[ahofle]

This thread has inspired me.  I'm going to dig up my old D3D CD and play some single player.  Does this require DOS emulation such as dosbox or can it be run from XP straight up?

[Flip_Willie]

This thread has inspired me.  I'm going to dig up my old D3D CD and play some single player.  Does this require DOS emulation such as dosbox or can it be run from XP straight up?

If you want to run the game from the original Duke CD, you will probably have to DosBox.

However, I would recommend downloading Eduke32. Using the original files off the cd, you can use Eduke32 to play it in Windows without DosBox/Emulation.

I hope that helps.

[CCM]

3D Realms says it is not going out of business...

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6209901.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;2

[ark_ader]

Who cares, about 3D Realms anyway?

P2P is, pretty much killing software, creators day in, and out.

Prepare, to see more big names, biting the big one, and go out, of business.

I like, Duke Nukem though. 

Sorry, cannot think of any more random crap, to post about this. 

You ever meet a comma you DIDN'T like? 

I do it, for Shmokes.   

He, likes my, comma posts. 

[ahofle]

However, I would recommend downloading Eduke32. Using the original files off the cd, you can use Eduke32 to play it in Windows without DosBox/Emulation.

I hope that helps.

    
Got it running at 1280x960 with eduke32 and the high res map pack: http://hrp.duke4.net/  Looks beautiful.
"It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum...and I'm all outta gum!"

[Flip_Willie]

However, I would recommend downloading Eduke32. Using the original files off the cd, you can use Eduke32 to play it in Windows without DosBox/Emulation.

I hope that helps.

    
Got it running at 1280x960 with eduke32 and the high res map pack: http://hrp.duke4.net/  Looks beautiful.
"It's time to kick ass and chew bubble gum...and I'm all outta gum!"

I can't find it on the internet anymore, but I found a program a while back that makes it really easy to set up Duke lan games. If you are interested, I have uploaded it to my website here. It works great with Eduke32.

Also, you might need to download and install dotnetfx.exe to get it to work.

Have fun!

[Hoopz]

This thread has inspired me.  I'm going to dig up my old D3D CD and play some single player.  Does this require DOS emulation such as dosbox or can it be run from XP straight up?

If you want to run the game from the original Duke CD, you will probably have to DosBox.

However, I would recommend downloading Eduke32. Using the original files off the cd, you can use Eduke32 to play it in Windows without DosBox/Emulation.

I hope that helps.

This is awesome.  Thanks for posting the link.   

[ahofle]

I can't find it on the internet anymore, but I found a program a while back that makes it really easy to set up Duke lan games. If you are interested, I have uploaded it to my website here. It works great with Eduke32.

I'm getting what appears to be a corrupt zip file from that link.  You wouldn't happen to have another copy would you?  Thanks again.

[drventure]

Very cool. Downloaded the eduke32, then the Hi res pack, then I found the deathmatch level I'd constructed back in the day that the gang and I played the heck out of. Still had it, still had the last save date on it even, Sept 26, 1996 (yeah, what's that say  )

Anyway, Eduke worked flawlessly. And with the Highres pack, even my custom level looks better than it ever did back in the day.

Definitely one for the cab (too bad you can't do multi player on a single machine with it  )

[Flip_Willie]

I can't find it on the internet anymore, but I found a program a while back that makes it really easy to set up Duke lan games. If you are interested, I have uploaded it to my website here. It works great with Eduke32.

I'm getting what appears to be a corrupt zip file from that link.  You wouldn't happen to have another copy would you?  Thanks again.

Oh, I am very sorry about that. I should have check first.

EDIT FOR LINK: Actually, I found the original website. It appears that he has all the files you will need.

I hope that works.

[ahofle]

Can't wait to try it.  And it supports TCP/IP!!!! YAY!
Oh, and the link is missing the 'ml' from the end: http://duke3d.sitesled.com/files/dukon.html
Thanks again!

[Flip_Willie]

Can't wait to try it.  And it supports TCP/IP!!!! YAY!
Oh, and the link is missing the 'ml' from the end: http://duke3d.sitesled.com/files/dukon.html
Thanks again!

Wow, sorry again. I thought I checked that.

Some brief instructions on how I have used Dukonnector. When you start, click Don't Connect to MS. Make sure to set up all the directories for the game.

When hosting more than 2 players, use the Master/Slave option. I haven't been able to get Peer 2 Peer to work for more than 2 players -- You could probably get it to work if you messed around with it.

For those joining, join manually by IP. Dukonnector conveniently lists all the necessary connection information on the host screen.

Obviously, make sure everyone turns off their firewalls. 

I am sure you could have figured that out, but I hope it helps anyway.

[ahofle]

Dukconnector is trying to connect to a couple of sites right when it starts up.  www.sitesled.com and some other one.  That makes me a little nervous.  When I denied those connections with my firewall it just hangs.  Any ideas what those are?

[Flip_Willie]

Dukconnector is trying to connect to a couple of sites right when it starts up.  www.sitesled.com and some other one.  That makes me a little nervous.  When I denied those connections with my firewall it just hangs.  Any ideas what those are?

Oh, and the link is missing the 'ml' from the end: http://duke3d.sitesled.com/files/dukon.html

I honestly am not sure. If I had to guess, I would say it is probably checking for updates. Notice, sitesled.com is the same site that the files were hosted on in the first place. I would suspect that this is harmless, but I am not certain. At one point, they had a master server which they used for internet games. I am pretty sure there is no support for this anymore. It is possible that it could also be attempting to access information on the server.

EDIT: I took a quick look at the source code. It appears that it was intended to "Show News" at one time. I am fairly certain that any such functionality is now defunct.

[ahofle]

Cool. I was just a little worried when reading the author's blogs on how he just got out of jail.  I was a little leery of transmitting unknown information to him LOL.  I got it all working and played a little coop over the internet last night with a friend.  Thanks again for all your info!

[Flip_Willie]

Cool. I was just a little worried when reading the author's blogs on how he just got out of jail.  I was a little leery of transmitting unknown information to him LOL.  I got it all working and played a little coop over the internet last night with a friend.  Thanks again for all your info!

Haha, I see. I hadn't read his blog. Well, I am glad you got it all working.