The Duke Nukem release date debacle

February 14th, 2008, 19:40 Posted By: Shrygue

via Computer and Video Games


The Dallas Business Journal has vehemently defended itself against accusations of inaccurate reporting regarding a 2008 release date for Duke Nukem Forever.

A simple story about a highly-anticipated (for over a decade now) piece of gaming software turned into quite the reporting fiasco over the past days.

About a week ago, the Dallas Business Journal ran a story stating that Garland, Tex.-based Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms had "confirmed" a late 2008 release for Duke's next long-delayed adventure.

Following the report, Next-Gen contacted 3D Realms' boss Scott Miller promptly for confirmation. What we got was a one-line e-mail from the always-outspoken Miller:

"Quite simply, they are lying b******s and they know it."

During the course of the day, the DBJ updated its story, removing the "confirmed" line and scaled back the statement, saying Duke Nukem Forever is "possible" in 2008, and noted the story's update.

But being called a "lying b*****d" stings for any publication, particularly for DBJ Web editor Stephen Webster, who wrote the original piece after an interview with Miller.

Webster contacted Next-Gen following Miller's remarks, saying that he stood by his report, as did the entire 41-paper American City Business Journals Network.

A self-professed fan of Miller and 3D Realms, Webster was disappointed with the turn the Duke story took. "We are not liars," Webster said.

3D Realms' George Broussard eventually posted a message on the developer's official forums regarding the DBJ piece that said, "In what appears to be an unfortunate turn of events, there seems to have been some confusion between what was 'off the record' and what was not. I suppose we're used to dealing with gaming press and not mainstream press. Lesson learned."

So what was really said during the interview between Miller and the DBJ? The DBJ website posted the audio clip (mp3) in question in direct response to Miller's comments to Next-Gen:

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