Questions about 3D Realms

Orpheusftw · 03-24-2011, 12:59 AM

I have to try to word this delicately as I know we're being pretty strict on the recent "don't talk about DNF" policy around here. So first I'd like to stress that my questions are primarily related to the state and well-being of 3D Realms: the company.
As such I have no interest in taking them to Gearbox's forums.

I was never really clear on how the game came into Gearbox's hands. Don't get me wrong, I was delighted to see it completed, this was just something that confused me, and I was unable to find in any thread or FAQ. If any of this is too invasive I understand.

Does Gearbox now own the franchise outright, or are they merely representing it as a developer?

Do they have rights to produce their own future Duke games, independent from 3D Realms?

As a fan, I'm curious... Can anyone tell me approximately how much of what will be released as DNF is untouched 3D Realms work? Did Gearbox simply add polish for the project's release, or is it a more significant split of effort, i.e. 70/30, etc?

Most importantly, does 3D Realms staff itself stand to make royalties from sales of the game? I noticed the company logo on the box, so this made me hopeful of that. As a longtime fan of 3D Realms, I've heard all about the ~13 year struggle with development. I knew the team was pouring their passion into this project, and cutting no corners to ensure it would be something special for the players. It made me cringe to think of all those wasted hours. My idea of a "happy ending" to all of this, is knowing that my purchase in some way supports the original team. I have respect for Gearbox, but it wouldn't seem right for them to pick up someone else's work and inherit all the rewards if you know what I mean.

MrBlackCat · 03-24-2011, 07:25 AM

There is an ocean of speculation about this... I don't know of a real summary and you ask a LOT of different questions that most of us fans would like to know.

My understanding of the situation is comprised of comments gathered from Randy Pitchford interviews. The rest I try to ignore, even if is sounds possible.

Some of the questions you ask are simply not likely to be public information obviously... the details of a contract between employee/employer are generally not public information.

Your/our posts will most likely get locked/deleted as this is mostly about DNF.

I do understand your post though. There has been a lot of them. Trying to find answers is very difficult as there is an ocean of speculation presented as truths here and at GearBox... but there are a lot of bits out there from Randy P explaining some things. I don't have the links saved though.

Just search for Randy Pitchford interviews... that I think will get you as much as can be had without dealing with speculations. There is some text from George B as well I think.

Nearly every possibility has been guessed at at this point, so the person who guessed right isn't necessarily a good source of information.

Most everyone now has focused on DNF coming out at this point and this has reduced prying for information about the Status of 3D Realms... who isn't sharing much information.

I would like to think 3D Realms has a plan... I doubt it, but I am hopeful. Making a game today is unrelated to making a game in the 90's in my opinion, so I don't know if 3D Realms can really adapt. They were the last of their kind from my perspective. The sale of id Software left 3D Realms as "the last one" in my view. I hope they succeed again, but it will never be like it was from Keen to Duke 3D.

Duke Nukem Forever just got delayed also...

MrBlackCat

03-24-2011, 12:59 AM	#1
Orpheusftw	Questions about 3D Realms I have to try to word this delicately as I know we're being pretty strict on the recent "don't talk about DNF" policy around here. So first I'd like to stress that my questions are primarily related to the state and well-being of 3D Realms: the company. As such I have no interest in taking them to Gearbox's forums. I was never really clear on how the game came into Gearbox's hands. Don't get me wrong, I was delighted to see it completed, this was just something that confused me, and I was unable to find in any thread or FAQ. If any of this is too invasive I understand. Does Gearbox now own the franchise outright, or are they merely representing it as a developer? Do they have rights to produce their own future Duke games, independent from 3D Realms? As a fan, I'm curious... Can anyone tell me approximately how much of what will be released as DNF is untouched 3D Realms work? Did Gearbox simply add polish for the project's release, or is it a more significant split of effort, i.e. 70/30, etc? Most importantly, does 3D Realms staff itself stand to make royalties from sales of the game? I noticed the company logo on the box, so this made me hopeful of that. As a longtime fan of 3D Realms, I've heard all about the ~13 year struggle with development. I knew the team was pouring their passion into this project, and cutting no corners to ensure it would be something special for the players. It made me cringe to think of all those wasted hours. My idea of a "happy ending" to all of this, is knowing that my purchase in some way supports the original team. I have respect for Gearbox, but it wouldn't seem right for them to pick up someone else's work and inherit all the rewards if you know what I mean. Last edited by Orpheusftw; 03-24-2011 at 01:07 AM.

03-24-2011, 07:25 AM	#2
MrBlackCat	Re: Questions about 3D Realms There is an ocean of speculation about this... I don't know of a real summary and you ask a LOT of different questions that most of us fans would like to know. My understanding of the situation is comprised of comments gathered from Randy Pitchford interviews. The rest I try to ignore, even if is sounds possible. Some of the questions you ask are simply not likely to be public information obviously... the details of a contract between employee/employer are generally not public information. Your/our posts will most likely get locked/deleted as this is mostly about DNF. I do understand your post though. There has been a lot of them. Trying to find answers is very difficult as there is an ocean of speculation presented as truths here and at GearBox... but there are a lot of bits out there from Randy P explaining some things. I don't have the links saved though. Just search for Randy Pitchford interviews... that I think will get you as much as can be had without dealing with speculations. There is some text from George B as well I think. Nearly every possibility has been guessed at at this point, so the person who guessed right isn't necessarily a good source of information. Most everyone now has focused on DNF coming out at this point and this has reduced prying for information about the Status of 3D Realms... who isn't sharing much information. I would like to think 3D Realms has a plan... I doubt it, but I am hopeful. Making a game today is unrelated to making a game in the 90's in my opinion, so I don't know if 3D Realms can really adapt. They were the last of their kind from my perspective. The sale of id Software left 3D Realms as "the last one" in my view. I hope they succeed again, but it will never be like it was from Keen to Duke 3D. Duke Nukem Forever just got delayed also... MrBlackCat __________________ YES! I do wear my Duke Xtreme t-shirt every day!* :) (Not really, sometimes I wear my Time to Kill* t-shirt... like while I am washing my other Duke shirts for instance.) :)