Gearbox and 3D Realms Settle Duke Nukem Dispute

Gearbox and 3D Realms have finally resolved their differences over the Duke Nukem franchise and the rights are now officially in the hands of Gearbox. 

In a joint statement from 3D Realms, Interceptor Entertainment and Gearbox they confirm that they have voluntarily ended all litigation between them.

It all began with the abysmal development of Duke Nukem Forever, which if you didn't know, took 14 years to be finally completed and released by Gearbox, who had purchased the rights of the franchise from 3D Realms. Soon after a struggling 3D Realms, who even tried to sue Gearbox in unpaid royalties, was purchased by Interceptor Entertainment and started working on Duke Nukem Mass Destruction.

Gearbox didn't take this news kindly and sued claiming they owned and retained the rights to the Duke Nukem franchise. Interceptor believed they had the right to develop the Duke Nukem title in good faith and was not aware of the conflict between Gearbox and 3D Realms. Interceptor has been since reworked and redesigned Mass Destruction into Bombshell which is scheduled to release this year.  

In the statement 3D Realms had this to say about the settlement:

We never intended to cause any harm to Gearbox or Duke, which is why we immediately ceased development after Gearbox reached out. To secure the future of Duke, 3D Realms has agreed with Gearbox that a single home serves the IP best

Gearbox haven't disclosed any additional terms of the settlement, but sure enough Gearbox now officially own the rights to the franchise, which means without a doubt another Duke Nukem game. Although if it's anything like Forever or even Colonial Marines, don't get your hopes up.