The future of the Duke Nukem franchise

[Garrett]

.. isn't very bright. Ironically enough, if DNF will be released this or next year and will be one of the best and most succesfull games of the past years, the next DN game won't be as good or succesfull. I mean, the latest build has been in development hell since 2003, and six years later we stil know little about it. Either 3dr really are working this slows (which I hope is not the case) or hopefully they want the game to be a product of really high quality. Now, if they have been working on quality content mostly for the past 6 years, I doubt any addon or sequel will be as good, which will be disappointing.
I guess a similar case is with the pretty good Half-life 2 and the mediocre standalone expansions (so-called episodes) that followed up.

So the way I see it, it's an ironic situation - the better the game will be, the worse it might be for the future games. I know, I know, with no DNF release date on the horizon talking about the future games may seem like a joke, but it's not like there's a lot to discuss here anyway.

[Klaus Kinski]

I mean, the latest build has been in development hell since 2003
I wish...

Dude, I wouldn't start to worry about what's coming out after DNF before DNF is actually out. First the briefs, then the pants.

[Garrett]

It's just a theory based on logic and some prime examples in the industry.

And I think they did "push the reset button" back in 2003 for the last time. Or was it the end of 2004?

[Klaus Kinski]

Who gives a crap how long they worked with each engine on the game? The end result counts and if you like, the entire time making the game. What, when and for how long is just trivia.

I don't think even 3DR knows what to do exactly after DNF and I think it's better that way. The main concern should be to get it finally done. I believe that's exactly what they're doing now.

[Stormfox]

I think it's too hard to speculate on what will happen. Best case scenario is that DNF is amazing and Duke becomes a top figure in gaming again, making people hungry for more and making 3DR really put in the effort to release a regular stream of excellent Duke titles, but it will all depend on how the game is received. The cynic in me thinks the game will be panned no matter what and that Duke will die out, but I really hope that is not the case. Add-ons, in general, often don't live up to their parent product but I think the HL2 episodes are great. The problem with them is that they were necessary as the HL2 ending was a joke and we needed more. I want DNF to be a standalone product that doesn't need any add-ons, but any that are made would be a bonus. As for sequels, I think the direction they take will be very much dependent on fan reaction and feedback to DNF.

[Rider]

I think this experience can only make 3DR that more capable to do it right the next time.

[peoplessi]

Stormfox put it well, nothing more to add. Somehow it feels impossible to speculate on something that would come _after_ DNF, which we haven't seen yet :) DNF is a keyfactor in determining if they still "have it", and is the route the proper route to continue. I'm catiously exited about the possibilites that DNF has.

[SpinX]

first things first...

[KO Gilligan]

No reason why Duke can't be the next GTA or Need for Speed franchise...We could use a good shooter to carry the FPS torch. I honestly believe that 3DRealms, as a development team ran into unexpected difficulties that should have gotten the project scrapped. It's happened to the best of them... especially considering the era they are from.

The skeptic sees a game that took too long, but an optimist realizes there was a team that wouldn't give up.

This would mean that more Duke would be more likely, not less.

[Angilion]

There is a good reason why Duke can't be the next franchise a la GTA or NFS - 12 years.

There is no franchise. If Duke Nukem 5 came out reasonably soon afterwards, then there might be a franchise.

Considering what's happened to NFS, I'm not sure I want Duke Nukem to be a franchise anyway.

[Malgon]

It's something interesting to think about I guess, but first things first. ;)

[Tedades]

Maybe: DNF wars, DNF DS, Collection box with DN1 upto DNF, Expansion pack 1, Console versions, Duke Nukem the movie, Duke Nukem & Max Payne at the olympics, etc etc.
But still hoping to play the 'original' version.

[KO Gilligan]

Maybe: DNF wars, DNF DS, Collection box with DN1 upto DNF, Expansion pack 1, Console versions, Duke Nukem the movie, Duke Nukem & Max Payne at the olympics, etc etc.
But still hoping to play the 'original' version.

Duke Nukem Movie ?

It would cost about a gazillion dollars for special effects...

I say do it :D

[delta2kbr]

Duke Nukem Movie ?

It would cost about a gazillion dollars for special effects...

I say do it :D

It's on the plans. (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54629)

[Antikorper]

I hope they wont make such a thing as Duke Movie... It would have a 99% possibility of being a total disaster if you ask me. They just can not make a movie with enough bad ass attitude to make justice for Duke.

[BloodWolf806]

Scott Miller said in an interview that as soon as DNF was done they'd start to work on its sequel.

[The Commander]

Considering what's happened to NFS, I'm not sure I want Duke Nukem to be a franchise anyway.

Oh my... just remeber who is in control of NFS, not 3DR. If they were, then they would be great games then. :)

[BabyFace]

Scott Miller said in an interview that as soon as DNF was done they'd start to work on its sequel.

He really did? I bet he got flamed and ridiculed a lot for that statement.

[BloodWolf806]

He really did? I bet he got flamed and ridiculed a lot for that statement.

Found it!
FiringSquad: Does 3D Realms have any games in mind after the release of Prey and DNF, or is the company concentrating on releasing these games first before starting new projects?

Scott Miller: We've already mapped out a sequel for Prey, from a high-level story standpoint, and of course as soon as Duke is done we'll begin a new one. We are also getting the ball rolling on an unannounced project, which has yet to be signed by a publisher.

http://www.firingsquad.com/features/3d_realms_interview/

[Commando Nukem]

Well with they have DNF and Duke trilogy in the works, and DNFis feeling pretty close. They've got a Duke movie rolling around the pits of Hell. There's a perfect storm for Duke to reenergise and get a "second win" as it were.

Duke reigned pretty high in the 90s with Duke 1 - 2, Duke 3D it's expansions, and it's ports, Zero Hour, Time to Kill, and Duke Color. So it's no doubt in my mind if 3DR has a hit on their hands we will see Duke make a huge, lasting comeback to the gaming world.

For awhile there I was convinced like some of you that no matter how good DNF is, it'll be facing ridicule and criticism, but I don't think so. I think if DNF is really good, people won't even remember the long wait. :cool:

[drcorey]

maybe they are not releasing it yet because they are not happy with it.
and as new technology changes they want to move to the new technology.
programming aside, do you know what it takes to draw, animate and make the soundtrack? then realize another great new way to do it is out. then it's back to the lab to redo stuff. You try to draw the big bosses, animate and do it's soundtrack and see how long it takes you. It takes over 4 years to do a animated movie now, and after over 4 years of work they look at it and say, god that is old tech. I hope we can break even on it now.

[DerricktheW]

Duke Nukem Arcade got released to huge praise

DNF should be releasing within a few years

And we got that trilogy thing coming to PSP and DS

Sure, the future beyond that is uncertain, but we sure got a lot of stuff to tide us over until then

[drcorey]

just as long as Jon St john is still the voice of Duke, it will be fine.

[PsychoGoatee]

I have to say, I don't really follow the logic in the first post. The better DNF is, the worse the sequel will be?

As long as they don't rush the next one out the door, I don't see how DNF would effect the quality of the next game in any way. And of course, I personally think 3DRealms will take their time on the next game. It's their style. :D