3D Realms drops Duke Nukem Forever royalties suit against Gearbox

3D Realms has dropped its suit against Gearbox for unpaid royalties from Duke Nukem Forever. The former issued a statement (via Game Informer) absolving the latter of all blame, with a personal apology from founder and CEO Scott Miller.

"After reviewing evidence regarding our business affairs, and without any money exchanging hands, we have satisfactorily resolved any and all differences that we perceived against Gearbox," Miller said.

3D Realms claimed Gearbox failed to pay more than $2 million in royalties after Gearbox bought the rights to Duke Nukem Forever, which had been delayed and rebooted for more than a decade. It also claimed Gearbox blocked attempts at an independent audit of the royalties in question.

Now it seems the vaporware-turned-critical-and-commercial-flop can recede into the history books and stay there this time.

"In all sincerity, we regret the misunderstanding that instigated our lawsuit," Miller wrote. "Now that we better understand--and appreciate--the actual nature of our business matters, we have voluntarily withdrawn our claims against Gearbox, with genuine apologies to [Gearbox president and CEO] Randy [Pitchford] for any damage that our lawsuit may have caused to the relationship."