Traced from a screengrab off the TV show, “Max Headroom”.
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While poking around the Duke Nukem Forever demo data files, I found something!
Inside /system/dnwindow.int I discovered this rather extensive ‘development timeline’ lurking inside.
Here’s the full text, stripped of the file formatting.
May, 1996
Version 1.3d of Duke Nukem 3D (Retail) is shipped to game retailers worldwide. Duke Nukem 3D is a massive success that for many defined an entire generation of gaming. Conceptualization and discussion of a sequel immediately begins inside 3D Realms headquarters near Dallas, Texas.
June, 1996
Duke Nukem 4Ever, a 2D side scrolling game produced by Keith Schuler, has development suspended in favor of prioritizing a Duke Nukem 3D add-on pack and a sequel.
June, 1996
GT Interactive acquires the publishing rights for Duke Nukem Forever in a licensing agreement with 3D Realms.
December, 1996
The Quake 1 engine is licensed by 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever, permanently replacing the Build engine. Most of the Duke Nukem 3D team, led by original Duke Nukem developers Todd Replogle and Allen H. Blum III, begins research and development with the technology for the game.
April, 1997
Duke Nukem Forever is officially announced by 3D Realms with the intention to release in 1998. Likewise, 3D Realms also officially announces that DNF will be created with the Quake 2 Engine.
May, 1997
Randy Pitchford and Brian Martel, founders of Gearbox Software, leave 3D Realms to help form Rebel Boat Rocker and then later Gearbox Software.
November, 1997
Duke Nukem Forever appears on the cover of PC Gamer magazine. Inside are the first screenshots ever released for the game.
May, 1998
The first reveal trailer for Duke Nukem Forever is released to the public during the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
June, 1998
3D Realms announces a change to the Unreal Engine for Duke Nukem Forever.
March, 1999
3D Realms announces that Megadeth is to cover and record the theme song for Duke Nukem Forever.
November, 1999
PC Gamer’s infamous “Miss Me?” cover story, featuring Duke Nukem Forever, hits newsstands. Inside are a large number of new screenshots for Duke Nukem Forever that expose how the game looks with a new engine.
December, 1999
GT Interactive, then publisher of Duke Nukem games, is purchased by Infogrames. Publishing rights for Duke Nukem Forever are transferred.
May, 2000
Gathering of Developers, a publisher comprised entirely of developer members (including 3D Realms), is purchased by Take-Two Interactive.
December, 2000
Gathering of Developers announces that the company has acquired publishing rights for the highly anticipated Duke Nukem Forever. Take-Two Interactive also acquires the publishing rights for the complete catalog of already-released Duke Nukem products including rights to certain future products.
May, 2001
At E3 2001, the highly regarded Duke Nukem Forever 10th anniversary trailer is released. It is arguably considered to be one of the best video game trailers of all time.
September, 2004
3D Realms announces that a new in-game physics system, Meqon Game Dynamics, has been chosen for Duke Nukem Forever.
August, 2006
Shacknews reports and confirms a rumor that a large contingent of employees had left 3D Realms. Most of them have relocated to Gearbox Software which is also based in the Dallas area.
July, 2007
he famous “Ventrilo Harassment” video using the voice of Duke Nukem to torment on-line game players was uploaded to YouTube and has been viewed more than 6 million times.
December, 2007
Shacknews breaks the first video teaser for Duke Nukem Forever in over 6 years. Included were small snippets of in-game footage.
September, 2008
Users discover Duke Nukem Forever unlockable screenshots in the re-release of Duke Nukem 3D.
December, 2008
The last official Duke Nukem Forever screenshot from 3D Realms is released to the community.
May, 2009
The story that 3D Realms has laid off the Duke Nukem Forever development team breaks and tops gaming news websites around the world.
May, 2009
Take-Two Interactive and 3D Realms submit legal arguments regarding disagreements about the business arrangement for developing and publishing of the game.
June, 2009
Gearbox and 3D Realms begin negotiation of an asset purchase agreement for the Duke Nukem franchise and Duke Nukem Forever. The business agreement is finalized and executed approximately six months later and ownership of the game and brand is transferred to Gearbox Software.
June, 2009
Triptych Games is formed from several ex-3D Realms employees and a couple of new individuals.
July, 2009
Triptych Games signs paperwork with 3D Realms to complete the Duke Nukem Forever single-player campaign.
August, 2009
Duke Nukem Forever’s narrative script is written at Triptych and approved by 3D Realms. Triptych gets to surprise Jon St. John – the famous English language voice actor who originally played Duke Nukem – with a phone call: ‘Hell has finally frozen over.’
November, 2009
Single-player work on Duke Nukem Forever content is complete.
December, 2009
Gearbox and 2K Games begin renegotiation of the publishing agreement for Duke Nukem Forever. The business agreement is finalized and executed approximately six months later with 2K Games and Take-Two Interactive, securing long-term publishing rights to Duke Nukem.
January, 2010
Triptych Games locks down their single-player version of the game and begins negotiations with Gearbox Software.
February, 2010
Triptych relocates to Gearbox”s offices in the Plano, Texas Bank of America Tower and resumes work alongside Gearbox and Piranha to help port Duke Nukem Forever to consoles, add multiplayer, and polish features within the game.
May, 2010
Take-Two and 3D Realms resolve and settle all differences regarding legal complaints from the previous year.
September, 2010
Gearbox Software and 2K Games surprise the public by showing off the first playable build of Duke Nukem Forever at PAX 2010.
September, 2010
Gearbox Software publicly announces that it has acquired the Duke Nukem brand.
October, 2010
2K Games and Gearbox Software announce the Duke Nukem Forever First Access Club to be included in every copy of the Borderlands Game of the Year Edition, allowing participating customers first access to the Duke Nukem Forever consumer demo.
December, 2010
Duke Nukem Forever reappears on the holiday issue of PC Gamer with the same headline as his cover 11 years prior – ‘Miss Me?’
January, 2011
Gearbox Software announces the release date of May 3rd for Duke Nukem Forever along with the first reveal trailer with 2K Games for Duke Nukem Forever since 2007.
February, 2011
Duke Nukem, with the help of Borderlands” Claptrap, opens the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences 2011 Interactive Achievement Awards in Las Vegas. The show, hosted by comedian Jay Mohr, is streamed live over the internet and broadcast on television via G4 TV.
June, 2011
Gearbox Software and 2K Games release the first consumer demo for Duke Nukem Forever.
June, 2011
Gearbox Software, alongside Triptych Games, Piranha Games, and 3D Realms, release the approved gold masters for Duke Nukem Forever. After 15 years since work first began on a Duke Nukem 3D sequel, 2K Games launches and ships Duke Nukem Forever video games worldwide to an eager and patient audience.
[source unsure]
