Despite 3D Realms having that Duke Nukem Forever was in progress, the studios' means that publisher Take-Two will lose all the capital that they invested into the project after accepting publisher rights. As noted on Shack News, Take-Two laid down US$12 million to the game's original publisher, Infogrames, for the rights to Duke Nukem Forever in 2000.
Following the closure last week, Take-Two spokesman Alan Lewis confirmed that the publisher was not providing 3D Realms with "ongoing funds for development of the title."
The two companies were on less than cheery terms during development of the game. After Take-Two publicly expressed hope that 3D Realms would finish the game in 2003, 3D Realms president George Broussard famously reminded Shacknews users that the game was self-funded, saying: "Take Two needs to STFU imo." [Source: ]
Take-Two Interactive's complaint with the New York State Supreme Court also claimed that ?Apogee continually delayed the completion date for the Duke Nukem Forever. Apogee repeatedly assured Take-Two and the video-gaming community that it was diligently working toward competing development of the PC Version of the Duke Nukem Forever.? Now 3D Realms is out of money and dissolved as a development studio, this lawsuit is a clear case of pain upon punishment. It remains to be seen what Take-Two will do with the publishing rights they still own, but it looks like Duke Nukem Forever is officially vaporware.