Duke Nukem 3D remake gets Gearbox’s blessing and Jon St. John’s voice

Non-commercial remake aims pays tribute to classic shooter

Words: Tom_Goulter on June 21, 2011

Next-gen machines are set to get a Duke Nukem game that includes all the things players loved about the original Duke Nukem 3D: post-apocalyptic smarm, pig-cops with faces just waiting to be shot out, and enough poor-man's-Bruce-Campbell dialogue to fill a DVD. Not to mention all the level maps, weapons and events of the original Duke Nukem 3D. How to deliver such an authentic Duke 3D experience, given the less-than-stellar reception for the upgraded Duke Nukem Forever? The answer’s clear. Just remake the original Duke Nukem 3D.

Danish studio Interceptor Entertainment's Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded has been given the go-ahead on a non-commercial basis by Gearbox Software. Duke Nukem voice actor Jon St. John has been busy recording all-new dialogue for the title. Knocked together with Unreal Engine 3, the remake first took the shape of what lead designer Barry Cogan calls “a near pixel perfect copy” of the first level, Hollywood Holocaust, before the team realized this simply wouldn't fly in next-gen 3D: “It felt cramped, small and even more dated.”

Above: You can find out more about Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded at Interceptor Entertainment’s official site

The remake now aims to recreate the original, with concessions to advances in technology and game design where applicable, such as vehicle sequences and scripted events involving NPCs. The game, which will also feature an extensive multiplayer component, is slated for release later in 2011. Interested?

Jun 21, 2011

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Platforms:

PC, Xbox 360, PS3

15 comments

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nbaallstarr23 - July 9, 2011 7:04 p.m.

I actually really enjoy DNF. I think it's an awesome game. some hiccups, yes. an all around awesome and badass game, yes.
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LTS - June 22, 2011 3:31 a.m.

fact correction time: 1. This is not headed for 'next gen machines'. It is strictly PC only, non-commercial (as in, FREE!). It won't be on consoles. 2. I could have sworn they announced this remake like a year ago or so... why post the story now? 3. Only the multiplayer beta is scheduled for release for 2011. And it's not even scheduled for release. It's just an ETA. Full game not expected until late 2012, early 2013. 4. It's not a remastered DN3d, it's a 're-imagined' DN3D. Entirely new game based on DN3D. 5. An HD remake of DN3D Has existed for years. Check out eDuke32 & The DN3D HRP 6. Jon St. John has not been recording new lines. He re-recorded lines from DN3D
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TheHungryLemur - June 22, 2011 1:57 a.m.

Is anyone else reminded of Bionic Commando when they see what's happened with DN?
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LIKEUCARE - June 22, 2011 1:37 a.m.

That's actually a great idea! Sure DNF wasn't a masterpiece but heck, who expected the game to be one? Though, having a remastered DN3D is a welcomed game in my book! If only more old school games would follow that as well... John Carmack gave a few glimpses of a Quake 1 remake or sequel... having a Q1 remastered with today's graphics would be spectacular! Hell, how about a proper DOOM remastered too? I would actually preorder these right away! So this DN3D supposed to be free huh? Just awesome! It somehow feels a bit like that Black Mesa mod with Half Life 2... now if only that mod would see the light of day...
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SpikroddNG - June 22, 2011 2:30 a.m.

Sounds good. I'll be sure to remember to pick it up 14 years from now.
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Baron164 - June 21, 2011 11:59 p.m.

I'm not familiar with the devs so I'd have to wait and see. Would be interesting though, I suppose it could be good but ya never know.
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bass88 - June 21, 2011 11:45 p.m.

I saw a video of this once. It looked a bit rubbish to be honest. Duke walked slowly and the maps felt more limited than before. I'm playing the original at the moment. The maps don't feel cramped for me. The levels may be smaller than today's in terms of length, but they are wide and open.
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archnite - June 21, 2011 11:17 p.m.

You know the timeline teasers in DNF show version of that game with the same ideas, how poetic if this HD redo also took 15 years?
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SideOfBeef - June 21, 2011 11:09 p.m.

"with concessions to advances in technology and game design where applicable, such as vehicle sequences" "such as vehicle sequences" Really guys?
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therawski - June 21, 2011 10:23 p.m.

An HD remake of the Duke Nukem 3D we all love is all that I could ask for, but does this non-commercial treatment mean we are going to have to play it in a browser only on a micro$oft slothbox?, that's not really my idea of HD
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SirCheesedip - June 21, 2011 10:16 p.m.

Hope there is an option to just play the original levels with no npcs and vehicle sequences. I'm not saying I don't want to play the rest of it I just hope there is an option.
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BALLSTOTHEWALLET - June 21, 2011 9:57 p.m.

"How to deliver such an authentic Duke 3D experience, given the less-than-stellar reception for the upgraded Duke Nukem Forever? The answer’s clear. Just remake the original Duke Nukem 3D." Hang on a minute, this remake was announced way before Duke 4 came out, and has been in development a long time, this is seriously old news GR!.
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HamsterGutz - June 21, 2011 9:52 p.m.

Wow 2 Duke games in one year? Hopefully this is better than DNF
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wiitard07 - June 21, 2011 9:51 p.m.

After all of the horrid reviews for DNF me and my friends all said that this would have been a much safer route instead of making just making a new Duke title. If they stick to the tried and true basis of Duke 3D this could be great.
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WTeen8 - June 21, 2011 9:47 p.m.

This is either a great idea, considering how DNF didn't meet reviewers expectations (although it was over 10 years in development, who expected it to be game of the year?), or a bad idea as some considered DNF to be a glorified remake anyway. I've never played DN3D though, or DNF. So how should I know.
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