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New website teases a 20th anniversary release for Duke Nukem 3D

It's always a good time to kick a** and chew bubblegum, even if you're all outta gum.

David Craddock

August 25, 2016 12:46 PM

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Fine print on a teaser website mentions Balls of Steel, a pinball game connected with Duke Nukem 3D, leading many to speculate that a refreshed version of the classic FPS will be released in celebration of the game's 20th anniversary.

The teaser site shows a countdown set to expire next Friday, September 2, at 5pm Pacific. Polygon points out that that's the precise date and time of Gearbox's panel, "Inside Gearbox Software," scheduled for PAX West.

How, when, and where Duke3D gets distributed falls in Gearbox's purview; it's the sole publisher and distributor of all things Duke Nukem. Gearbox settled an intellectual property lawsuit involving 3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment that granted it, Gearbox, full rights to the brand back in August 2015.

Not coincidentally, older Duke Nukem games were pulled from Steam and GOG.com at the end of 2015, marking the end of 3D Realms' rights to sell them. Gearbox could put those games—Duke Nukem 1 and 2, Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, and the Balls of Steel pinball offshoot—back up for sale at any time. Instead, the company seems inclined to wait for a special occasion.

Next Friday at 5pm Pacific, perhaps?

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.