After an eternity in development, Duke Nukem Forever is finally going to be released on May 3, 2011 in North America, developer Gearbox has revealed to Game Informer.

The long-awaited macho shooter will hit PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The worldwide release is slated for May 6. It definitely is. Honestly, they mean it this time.

"The moment fans all over the world have been waiting for is almost here," said Christoph Hartmann, president of publisher 2K. "May 3, 2011 marks Duke's return as he unleashes his brash and brutally honest wit on the world. His return is going to be epic and one that will make video gaming history!"

Duke Nukem Forever's had an infamously long and troubled development since being announced in 1997 by original developer and series creator 3D Realms, switching engines several times and being delayed often. Duke almost never made it, after 3DR suffered legal troubles with 2K and massive layoffs. However, development continued at a small studio of DNF vets and, after the legal matters were settled, Gearbox stepped in to carry the game to completion.

The game was unveiled for the umpteenth time at PAX 2010, where we got to play it and chat with Gearbox marketing VP--and Shacknews founder--Steve Gibson.

Early access to a DNF demo has been promised to those who bought the Borderlands Game of the Year Edition, though those who bought the original version of Gearbox's shooter RPG on Steam before October 12, 2010 have also got into the 'Duke Nukem Forever First Access Club.'

May 3 in North America and May 6 worldwide. PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Gearbox and 2K really do seem convinced it'll happen. "Always bet on Duke," the saying goes.