Duke Nukem Forever set for 2011 release

Gearbox finishing what 3D Realms started.

Duke Nukem Forver, the game first announced back in 1997 and thought to have been cancelled for good, is now in the hands of Borderlands developer Gearbox Software.

3D Realms shut down in 2009, leaving the future of the game in doubt, but it has now been confirmed that Gearbox, headed by Randy Pitchford who worked on Duke Nukem 3D, is now polishing the title for release in 2011.

"Hail to the king, baby! It's unbelievable, it kicks ass and it's totally going to happen!" said Randy Pitchford, president of Gearbox Software. "Gearbox has enabled die-hard key Duke Nukem franchise builders and skilled veteran game makers to stand together and deliver. All gamers deserve a happy ending and after all of us gamers feeling the full range of emotions about Duke Nukem Forever, I am thrilled to be in a position with the trust, power and means to make it happen. Am I crazy? Balls of steel, baby, balls of steel!"

The alien hordes are back and only Duke can save the world, again. Pig cops, alien shrink rays and enormous alien bosses won't stop our hero from accomplishing his one and only goal: to save the world, save the babes and to be a bad-ass while doing it.

The game's currently expected to ship in 2011, though Pitchford isn't ready to make any promises at this time.

"We're in the polishing phase now. This is a game where we can not make a promise we can not fulfil," he said. "We need to get past the shock and awe and then we can go to all the retailers and first parties and work out a launch plan."

"All great things take time... a lot of time," laughed Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "After a hiatus from the video game world, Duke Nukem is back and better than ever. The return of the King from the glory days of shooters will satisfy our patient, die-hard fans, as well as a new generation of bubble gum-chewing, flat top and shades-wearing bad-asses. Make no mistake about it - Duke Nukem Forever is a testament to the era of when shooters were bodacious and fun."

The game is playable at PAX and look out for a new trailer soon.

Via WSJ