In 2011, after more than a decade of delays, Duke Nukem Forever finally arrived—and instantly became one of gaming’s most infamous legends. In this episode, we trace the long, chaotic journey that began in 1997 as a sequel to the smash hit Duke Nukem 3D. We explore how shifting technologies, engine swaps, and creative restarts stretched a few months of development into 14 years of reinvention. Our conversation dives into 3D Realms’ struggles to keep pace with the changing industry, Gearbox’s last-minute rescue, and how the game’s troubled launch turned it into a cautionary tale. Join us as we lock, load, and unpack the long road to Duke Nukem Forever on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.
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A Trip Down Memory Card Lane