3D Realms
Parent Saber Interactive (2021–present) | | |
Website | 3drealms |
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3D Realms Entertainment ApS is a video game publisher based in Aalborg, Denmark. Scott Miller founded the company in his parents' home in Garland, Texas, in 1987 as Apogee Software Productions to release his game Kingdom of Kroz. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company popularized a distribution model where each game consists of three episodes, with the first given away free as shareware and the other two available for purchase. Duke Nukem was a major franchise created by Apogee to use this model, and Apogee published Commander Keen and Wolfenstein 3D the same way.
Apogee began using the brand name 3D Realms for its 3D games in 1994, and in 1996 rebranded the company itself to 3D Realms to focus on traditionally-published 3D titles. Duke Nukem 3D (1996) was released under this name to great success. 3D Realms largely ceased its publishing and development operations afterwards to focus on two extensively delayed games: Prey (2006), which was under development until being taken over by another studio in 2001, and Duke Nukem Forever (2011), which remained under development until 2009. The "Apogee Software" name, library, and logo were licensed to Terry Nagy in 2008, who established Apogee Software LLC to develop and publish ports and spinoffs of Apogee titles.
In 2009, 3D Realms, citing financial issues, laid off its development team and the majority of its staff, effectively ceasing operations. In March 2014, the company was acquired by SDN Invest, a Danish
History
Apogee Software
Background
In the early 1980s,
The Apogee Model (1987–1996)
Most games developed by Miller at the time used
3D Realms (1996–2009)
In 1994, Apogee decided to launch different brand names for each genre of games they published; it created 3D Realms for 3D games, publishing Terminal Velocity in 1995 and developing the 1996 Duke Nukem 3D under the name, with the other titles released in those years still under Apogee.[5] In late 1996, however, Apogee renamed the company itself to 3D Realms to associate their brand with newer, 3D titles, and stopped using the Apogee brand name.[6] The last game to be published under the Apogee name was Stargunner in 1996. Most of the proposed brands were never used, as 3D games like Duke Nukem became the company's focus. 3D Realms launched a brand for pinball games, Pinball Wizards, in February 1997, but only published Balls of Steel (1997) under the name.[5] Beginning in 1997 3D Realms shifted from episodic MS-DOS titles to non-episodic console and personal computer games. In the process it abandoned the shareware model in favor of a traditional publishing model; it also largely ceased its activities as a developer that same year, releasing only Shadow Warrior (1997).[7] The sole exceptions were Prey (2006), which stayed in development until 2001 when it was transferred to Human Head Studios, and Duke Nukem Forever (2011), which famously stayed in development at 3D Realms as vaporware until 2009.[7][8]
The "Apogee Software" name, library, and logo were licensed to Terry Nagy in 2008, who formed Apogee Software, LLC as a separate company that would handle distribution, remakes, and other developments related to older Apogee games. 3D Realms retained the corporate name of Apogee Software, Ltd. Apogee Software, LLC was renamed Apogee Entertainment in 2021.[6]
Corporate restructuring, legal disputes (2009–2014)
After Prey was transferred away from 3D Realms in 2001, the only project under development at the company was Duke Nukem Forever, originally announced in 1997. The release date of the game was "when it's done."[9] 3D Realms continued some operations as a publisher as part of the Gathering of Developers publishing group, but otherwise served only as the publisher and licensee of Duke Nukem-related spinoffs and mobile games for the next few years. On May 6, 2009, the development of Duke Nukem Forever was halted, and major staff cuts were initiated with the entire development team and most other employees laid off.[10][11] According to Miller, the development was using up much of the company's funds as they struggled to bring in new 3D rendering technology for the game, leading to the decision to cut their staff and sell the company.[12]
On May 14, 2009,
On September 3, 2010, Take-Two Interactive announced that development of Duke Nukem Forever had been shifted over to Gearbox Software, effectively ending 3D Realms' association with the game after 12 years of development. 3D Realms remained credited as a co-developer on Duke Nukem Forever, due to their involvement in developing most of the game. The rights and intellectual property were sold to Gearbox, however, who became the owners of the Duke Nukem franchise.[16]
An external developer,
In an interview conducted with Scott Miller in April 2011, Miller specified that 3D Realms was involved with several projects: "we have several projects underway, all fairly small—not any big console games. Once [Duke Nukem Forever] comes out we'll be definitely looking to invest into other projects, and maybe other up-n-coming [sic] teams who are blazing new trails on smaller platforms, like smart phones and XBLA."[17] 3D Realms did not publish any released titles over the next few years, however.
In June 2013, 3D Realms sued Gearbox for unpaid royalties as well as unpaid money for selling the Duke Nukem intellectual property.[18] The lawsuit was dropped in September 2013 with 3D Realms apologizing with an announcement that they had resolved any differences they had with Gearbox. In February 2014, Gearbox sued 3D Realms, Interceptor Entertainment and Apogee Software, LLC for developing a new game called Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction. Gearbox stated that it was still the rights holder of the Duke Nukem franchise, and permission had not been granted by them to develop the game. 3D Realms soon after released a statement admitting its wrongdoing.[19] The lawsuit was settled in August 2015, with Gearbox stressing that it was still the lawful owner of the Duke Nukem intellectual property.[20]
3D Realms Entertainment
Acquisition by SDN Invest and relaunch (2014–2021)
In March 2014, SDN Invest, the part-owner of Interceptor Entertainment, acquired 3D Realms for an undisclosed sum.
In May 2014, 3D Realms announced they were to publish Bombshell by Interceptor Entertainment,[27] and in October 2014 the company returned to distributing its own titles with a digital anthology collection.[28][29] Bombshell was released on January 29, 2016, as 3D Realms' first published title since 2005.
On February 28, 2018, 3D Realms announced the game
In April 2021, Miller and Nagy acquired the Apogee name from 3D Realms and relaunched Apogee Software LLC as Apogee Entertainment.[32] In 2022, Miller stated in a blog post that he was now uninvolved with 3D Realms and that "[the company] no longer has any link to the past, other than in name only" because he was no longer there to help design and fund games.[33]
Acquisition by Embracer Group (2021–2023)
In August 2021, Embracer Group announced that they acquired the company through Saber Interactive, which will be the parent company.[34] 3D Realms published Cultic on October 13 (2022).
In March 2023, 3D Realms announced that they hired Justin Burnham (formerly of Devolver Digital, Good Shepherd) to the position of CCO.[35]
Reboot (2023–present)
On September 30, 2023, 3D Realms held its 4th annual Realms Deep event modernizing the company's branding and announcing release dates for several previously-unreleased titles. Two days later on October 2, they published Ion Fury: Aftershock in collaboration with developer Voidpoint.[36]
On October 24, 2023, 3D Realms published Ripout into early-access in collaboration with developer Pet Project Games.[37] On November 16, 3D Realms published The Kindeman Remedy in collaboration with developer Troglobyte Games.[38]
On December 5, 2023, 3D Realms co-published (with Interplay) the Slipgate Ironworks-developed Kingpin Reloaded.[39] In mid-December, "at least half" of 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks was laid off as part of Embracer's restructuring.[40] Layoffs continued into January 2024.[41]
On January 24, 2024, 3D Realms co-published (with Fulqrum Publishing) the Slipgate Ironworks-developed Graven out of early access.[42] On February 27, 3D Realms co-published (with Fulqrum Publishing) the Slipgate Ironworks and Killpixel Games-developed WRATH: Aeon of Ruin out of early access.[43]
In March 2024, Saber Interactive was sold to Beacon Interactive, a new company from Saber co-founder Matthew Karch. Many of Saber's studios, including 3D Realms, were included in the sale.[44]
Games
References
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- ^ a b Plante, Chris (September 27, 2013). "Apogee: The one-man online game publisher of 1987". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "3D Realms Site: History". 3D Realms. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
- ^ Calore, Michael (December 7, 2009). "Vaporware 2009: A Call for Submissions". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ "3D Realms Site: Duke Nukem Forever". 3D Realms. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2007.
- ^ Breckon, Nick & Faylor, Chris (May 6, 2009). "Duke Nukem Developer 3D Realms Shuts Down (Updated)". Shacknews. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
- ^ a b "3D Realms: We're not closing, Spent $20M on Duke Nukem Forever". Kotaku Australia. May 18, 2009. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2009.
- ^ Boudreau, Ian (May 10, 2022). "Duke Nukem Forever 'destroyed 3D Realms' Apogee founder says". PCGamesN. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
- ^ Breckon, Nick (May 14, 2009). "Take-Two Sues 3D Realms for Failing to Deliver Duke Nukem Forever (Updated)". Shacknews. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ Breckon, Nick (May 15, 2009). "Take-Two v. 3D Realms Court Documents Materialize, 3DR's Scott Miller Responds". Shacknews. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ Faylor, Chris (May 16, 2009). "No $30M Offer for Duke Nukem IP, Says 3D Realms". Shacknews. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Gearbox acquires Duke Nukem IP". GameSpot. September 7, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
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- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (February 24, 2014). "Gearbox sues 3D Realms over Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (August 19, 2015). "Gearbox and 3D Realms settle Duke Nukem lawsuit". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 3, 2014). "Interceptor buys 3D Realms amid Gearbox lawsuit". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- GamesIndustry.biz. Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
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- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 3, 2014). "Interceptor buys 3D Realms amid Gearbox lawsuit". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Chalk, Andy (October 23, 2014). "3D Realms returns with 32-game anthology bundle". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Purchese, Robert (May 15, 2014). "3D Realms reveals PC and PS4 action-RPG Bombshell". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (October 23, 2014). "3D Realms returns, releases anthology". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Hing, David (October 24, 2014). "3D Realms returns with anthology bundle". Bit-Tech. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (May 30, 2019). "Iron Maiden sue video game company for $2m over Ion Maiden game". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 5, 2020). "3D Realms announces Graven, the spiritual successor to Hexen 2". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Scott (January 25, 2022). "Clearing the confusion about Apogee and 3D Realms". Apogee Entertainment.
- ^ Romano, Sal (August 4, 2021). "Embracer Group acquires 3D Realms, CrazyLabs, Digixart, Easy Trigger, Force Field, Ghost Ship Games, Grimfrost, and Slipgate Ironworks". Gematsu.
- ^ Takahashi, Dean (March 16, 2023). "3D Realms hires Justin Burnham as chief creative officer to level up action games". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ ""Realms Deep 2023 Recap: 3D Realms Reboots with Ion Fury: Aftershock Shadow Drop, Kingpin: Reloaded, GRAVEN, and WRATH Release Dates Revealed, New Titles Announced, and Much More " - Games Press". www.gamespress.com. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ ""Pet Project Games to Release Ripout Into Early Access in October 2023 " - Games Press". www.gamespress.com. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Handley, Zoey (November 16, 2023). "Gruesome medical management game The Kindeman Remedy is out today". Destructoid. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Andy Chalk (October 2, 2023). "After 3 years of silence, Kingpin Reloaded resurfaces with a new trailer and a December release date". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ Rousseau, Jeffrey (December 18, 2023). "3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks reportedly see layoffs". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Carter, Justin (January 3, 2024). "Report: 3D Realms and Slipgate may have been hit with more layoffs". www.gamedeveloper.com. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Perrault, Patrick (October 25, 2022). "Final Graven Early Access Update Out Now". TechRaptor. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "WRATH: Aeon of Ruin launches February 27, 2024 for PC". Gematsu. September 30, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ McEvoy, Sophie (March 14, 2024). "Embracer sells Saber Interactive for $247m". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved March 14, 2024.