After the release of Aliens: Colonial Marines, Gearbox has been mired in controversy. From complaints about the game's hideously poor quality to accusations of false advertising to allegations that the developer misused funds for the game, it's been a pretty messy affair.
Well, it's getting even messier - 3D Realms is joining the fray.
The Escapist
I guess the consequences of Gearbox's acquisition of the Duke Nukem brand will be felt... for an indefinite period of time, up to and including eternity. Is there another word for all that?
It's another ugly mess for a studio that's been mired in ugly messes for quite some time. It seems Gearbox's year just got that much worse.
Honestly, it's about time the company picks up a new motto. Gearbox Software: The ride never ends!
Well, it's getting even messier - 3D Realms is joining the fray.
Duke Nukem Forever may have been one of the most embarrassing videogame bombs of all time, but a deal's a deal and 3D Realms says Gearbox isn't living up to its end of the agreement that gave it the rights to the property back in 2010. According to a lawsuit filed earlier this week, Gearbox agreed to pay off a $2.9 million loan that 3D Realms owed to another software company and to pay it a percentage of royalties earned on future Duke Nukem releases; it also agreed not to deduct any of the debt it assumed from the royalties paid. Yet 3D Realms says that's exactly what Gearbox has done.
"Despite the assurance it provided to 3D Realms, Gearbox now claims that it is entitled to first deduct the full amount of the debt it assumed (i.e. the entire $2.9 million Duke loan) before any royalty payments become due to 3D Realms," the complaint says. "Thus, Gearbox is turning the tables."
3D Realms claims it's owed more than $2 million on the game, but Gearbox said in response that the company has already "received the full benefit of its bargain," and also slipped in a shot or two at 3D Realms' inability to complete the game itself.
"Gearbox, in fulfillment of its commitments, enriched 3D Realms, saved 3DR from its debts and rescued 3DR from its failed dozen-plus year attempt to ship Duke Nukem Forever," the studio told Law360. "Everyone wished that 3DR's game was better received by the market for the benefit of gamers and profit to its creators. While 3DR might not wish the reality that the results make clear, 3DR turned out to be the only beneficiary of the deal. Gearbox Software, meanwhile, experienced damage to its credibility and loss of its money."
I guess the consequences of Gearbox's acquisition of the Duke Nukem brand will be felt... for an indefinite period of time, up to and including eternity. Is there another word for all that?
It's another ugly mess for a studio that's been mired in ugly messes for quite some time. It seems Gearbox's year just got that much worse.
Honestly, it's about time the company picks up a new motto. Gearbox Software: The ride never ends!