After hearing the news about the closure of 3D Realms, one of founding members of Dallas Gaming Mafia, we started calling up people that were related to 3D Realms in one way or another. Fortunately for us, one of former members on Duke Nukem 3D mode spoke to us under the condition of anonymity.
"This was not unexpected. 3D Realms went into non-recovery mode after even the biggest Duke Nukem enthusiast left the company in 2006".
Our source referred to an event that happened on my 27th birthday, when several key employees left the company. It was also around the time when George suffered its heavy RC Helicopter accident, losing several key weeks in recovery - at the same time people were leaving the company and George was unable to reply on e-mails and calls in due course. It looks like the biggest issue that 3D Realms had was constant insisting on polishing the title without a clear vision what to cut from the game.
The unfortunate turn of events on 9/11 caused for a major change in concept of the game, but events that happened eight years ago were not the final nail of 3D Realms coffin. While it is easy for all of us outsiders to be the "generals after the battle", the sad truth is that George's baby didn't stood a chance of getting released without a clear-cut vision what to put in Duke Nukem Forever, and what to leave for the continuation of the series.
You may or may not know, but Duke Nukem Forever was supposed to be the pinnacle and George's and 3D Realms life work. As far as our knowledge goes, no other Duke Nukem titles were planned by 3D Realms - guys wanted to go out with the bang, but unfortunately, the life's work of a small team went to the history books.
You can listen to the final interview made by a Joe Siegler, webmaster of 3D Realms over at Tech Hot Dish. Sadly, the interview was actually published yesterday, just hours before the servers were switched off - 3D Realms ended its journey around midnight CST .
You can read through the history of development on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Nukem_Forever .
