Apogee Returns with New Duke Nukem

Handheld's to get new shooter

Posted by Staff
Apogee Returns with New Duke Nukem
After kinda sorta going away for 13 years, Apogee Software - the creator of Duke Nukem and Wolfenstein(s) - is back. This time it's bringing the Duke with it.

The Duke's new appearance will take the form of Duke Nukem Trilogy, a series of handheld games that will appear on both the DS and PSP. The trilogy will comprise of three 'episodes', which will be released sequentially starting next summer. The episodes will carry the names Critical Mass, Chain Reaction and Proving Grounds, with a common story running through all three.

Apogee is promising 36 levels spread across nine different worlds. There will be multi-player options, with five different game play modes promised. Of the different platform versions, Apogee tells us the game will take "full advantage of each platforms strengths. This means a totally different gaming experience on each system while staying true to the storyline."

As for Apogee... you could say that it has dusted itself rather than made a full comeback. It claims that it is "back to re-establish itself as an innovative leader in interactive entertainment." It never really went away, however.

The company began life in 1987, when it claims credit for inventing shareware and demos. In 1994 it created the 3D Realms label, which it used for producing... well, 3D games. As the market shifted towards 3D gaming, the Apogee name fell to the wayside in public use, but continued to be the company's legal name. Fast-forward to today and the Apogee name is back and being used in conjunction with handheld versions of Duke Nukem.

3D Realms retains a separate website to Apogee, however. Similarly, Apogee's announcement states, "Apogee Software is producing the Trilogy under an exclusive license agreement with 3D Realms and MachineWorks Northwest LLC", indicating the two labels are, at least to some degree, distinct from each other. Copyright information on the websites for both labels points to Apogee Software, LLC.

“It's funny how what's old is new again in this industry”, said one of Apogee's co-founders, Scott Miller. “Many of the things Apogee pioneered are back in style, so it only makes sense to bring back Apogee and its properties with a visionary team that will once again create innovation for gamers around the world.”

“This marks a new beginning for a famous publisher with a history of market-making innovation”, uttered Terry Nagy, co-founder and chief operating officer of Apogee. “I can't think of a better character than Duke or a better franchise than the Trilogy to usher in a new era for Apogee.”

Or a new brand, anyway...

Meanwhile, Duke Nukem Forever is in development over at 3D Realms.
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Comments

schnide 15 Jul 2008 09:45
1/1
Meanwhile, Duke Nukem Forever is in development over at 3D Realms.


In other news, I've just married Jenna Jameson on the moon and I can piss liquid gold. Who wants some?
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