George Broussard
(06/16/98)
on the switch from Quake II to Unreal engine for Duke Nukem
Forever
Article and interview by Brad Wernicke - Originally
seen at Dukeworld
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Garland, TX - April 28, 1997
3D Realms Licenses id Software's 'Quake
II' Engine for `Duke Nukem Forever'
GARLAND, TX -- In an unprecedented convergence of industry
titans, GT Interactive Software Corp. (NASDAQ: GTIS), 3D Realms,
a division of Apogee, and id Software are teaming up on Duke
Nukem Forever, the sequel to the best-selling PC game Duke
Nukem 3D. Under the agreement, GT Interactive obtains all
interactive publishing rights for personal computer and video
game systems to 3D Realms' Duke Nukem Forever, which will
utilize id Software's proprietary cutting-edge Quake II game
engine. In addition, GT Interactive obtains merchandising
rights for all derivative works, including films, home video
and books for Duke Nukem Forever, as well as rights on a future
title, tentatively called Duke Nukem 5.
"`Duke Nukem 3D' has become a premier interactive entertainment
franchise and shows no signs of slowing as the title continues
to sell-through at retail," said Ron Chaimowitz, president
and chief executive officer of GT Interactive. "Obtaining
the sequel rights allows us to expand the amazing growth and
popularity of this dynamic property via integrated marketing
campaigns and multi-platform versions." Duke Nukem 3D has
captivated gaming enthusiasts by combining strong character
development, gripping graphics and irreverent humor with an
advanced 3D gaming engine. The resulting game play experience
"raised the bar" for first-person action games prompting such
leading industry publications as Boot and Wired magazines
to respectively call Duke Nukem 3D the "absolutely best first-person
action game of the year, bar none" and "the undisputed king."
"Teaming Duke Nukem, perhaps the most recognizable character
in the PC industry, with the Quake II engine, the most advanced
currently available 3D engine, is an amazing quadruple-win
situation: for 3D Realms, id Software, GT Interactive, and
especially players and fans of both Duke Nukem, Quake and
high-action 3D gaming in general. What more can players ask
for than combining the technology of Quake with the attitude
and interactive gameplay of Duke Nukem!" said George Broussard,
head of 3D Realms. In a recent article on the success of Duke
Nukem 3D, The Wall Street Journal wrote, "Action-game hero
Duke Nukem gives players something they can't get elsewhere:
a hero with attitude." The article also quoted industry publication
GamePro who said, "This is the first game where personality
has taken hold and become something unto itself." Duke Nukem
Forever will further emphasize Duke Nukem as a strong action-game
character who has already endeared himself to gamers worldwide.
Acclaimed for its technological 3D brilliance, id Software's
Quake joined Duke Nukem 3D at the top of the charts. id's
Quake II engine has enhanced capabilities over its predecessor,
the end result of which will allow gamers to fully immerse
themselves in a 3D environment like never before. "id Software
has long been known as a innovator in 3D gaming and we are
excited to be teaming with 3D Realms, a leader in their own
right and Texas neighbor," said Todd Hollenshead, chief executive
officer of id Software.
Offering multi-player competition via networks and the Internet,
Duke Nukem 3D has consistently performed in the top 10 PC
charts and later this year, GT Interactive is releasing the
original Duke Nukem 3D for play on the Nintendo N64 and Sony
PlayStation console systems. 3D Realms Entertainment, a division
of the long-standing Apogee Software, Ltd., founded in 1987
and headquartered in Garland, TX, is 100 percent focused on
creating highly innovative real-time 3D action games and nothing
else.
Apogee is the pioneer of multi-episode shareware marketing
for games and has won numerous industry marketing and game
awards. Previous hit releases include Raptor, Rise of the
Triad, Wolfenstein 3D, Terminal Velocity and Death Rally.
On the web, visit www.3drealms.com for more information.
id Software, founded in 1991, is a development company located
in Mesquite, Texas. id's team of talented developers continue
to make gaming history by creating and publishing one sensational
game after another. Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, DOOM II, Heretic,
HEXEN and QUAKE have created a frenzied demand worldwide and
have managed to consistently break shareware and retail sales
records at home and broad. id Software, founded in 1991, is
a development company located in Mesquite, Texas. id's team
of talented developers continue to make gaming history by
creating and publishing one sensational game after another.
Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, DOOM II, Heretic, HEXEN and QUAKE have
created a frenzied demand worldwide and have managed to consistently
break shareware and retail sales records at home and broad.
Headquartered in NY, GT Interactive Software Corp. is a leading
global publisher of entertainment and edutainment software
under the GT Interactive, Humongous Entertainment and Cavedog
Entertainment brands for personal computers as well as video
game systems from Sony, Nintendo and Sega; and Macintosh software
under the MacSoft brand. Among GT Interactive's best-sellers
are Duke Nukem 3D and QUAKE. The company is also a leader
in value-priced software. Located at http://www.gtinteractive.com
on the World Wide Web, GT Interactive is publicly traded on
the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol GTIS.
For more information contact either:
Scott Miller: scottm@3drealms.com
George Broussard: georgeb@3drealms.com
[END]
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