Duke Nukem Forever brings back the king of action in the highly anticipated game set to pummel players with unprecedented interactivity, variety, realism, and Duke's specal whoop-ass brand of humor. The first in-house Duke Nukem game by 3D Realms since Duke Nukem 3D. Powered by the Unreal Engine 1 Technology, Duke Nukem Forever 2001 delivers an intense First Person Shooter experience, with stunningly detailed characters in expansive interactive maps. Motion captured animation and realistic area-sensitive damaged take realism to scary new heights, and make picking off those aliens bastards all the more fun.

  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
  • View media
Post article RSS Related Articles

One of the Biggest Leaks in First Person Shooter History

maxresdefault


This article celebrates 2 years of the 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever leaking out to the community. We delve into the history of this 2001 build, the amazing mods being created around the Duke community with it and much more! Along with introducing our new team, the DNF 2001 Mapping and Modding Team and our new map packs, mods and more for DNF 2001!

History of Duke Nukem Forever's 2001 Build

cover1

Even by 1999 fans had not seen DNF for years and "Miss Me?" would become all too true


Duke Nukem Forever was revealed in the Unreal Engine online in November 1999 and throughout many printed publications December 1999 issues such as this famous issue of PC Gamer. PC Gamer got their hands on the screens for print first, so most other magazines had their reveal in the January 2000 issues like Incite Magazine and PC Accelerator.

The build on display here showcased graphics that were unbelievable and a tone that was mature, not in the original Duke Nukem 3D way, but in a more action thriller scifi horror tone that felt like something entirely new. The look of the game was serious, realistic and very different compared to the original look of the 1997-1998 Quake version fans had seen so far.

Check out the preview of Duke Nukem Forever in PC Gamer below.

PCGamer 1999 12 pg066PCGamer 1999 12 pg067


PCGamer 1999 12 pg068PCGamer 1999 12 pg072


PCGamer 1999 12 pg073PCGamer 1999 12 pg074


Of course these were simple static screenshots, and again it would be a wait before we would see these new updated Unreal visuals in action. It would be almost 2 years later in 2001 at that year's E3 where Apogee/3D Realms revealed a trailer for Duke Nukem Forever that would leave a permanent imprint on fans minds for decades to come. Below is that original trailer, along with a version re-created by fans using the leaked 2001 build to view the trailer in modern resolutions, audio quality and more.

Original Trailer from E3 2001 (2001 Quality)


Updated 2001 Trailer (Recreated with 2001 Build)


This trailer truly set the tone and expectations for Duke Nukem Forever, but as many know this version of the game was eventually changed and iterated on to what was released in 2011, 10 years after this trailer excited so many fans. The final game did include a few leftovers and story beats, but the 2001 build truly was its own amazing moment in game development history. From breakable glass that rivals most games today, to facial animations that no one was doing at this time, and even amazing details such as interactable screens and monitors we would see in Doom 3 in 2004.

Apogee/3D Realms were truly at the pinnacle of first person shooter gaming at this time, the technology they built upon Unreal Engine 1 with was incredible. However, this version was never meant to be...until May 9th, 2022 when an online group named xOr teased the world with screenshots of the 2001 build, the editor, file folders and more. Even teasing the entire source code being part of it. They teased the world saying it would take some time to release...but it was a final tease to fans as xOr then released the 2001 build to the world the day after on May 10th, 2022.

This weekend marks 2 years since the 2001 build reached Duke fans around the world, creating a moment they never thought possible. To play and explore this 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever, so let's celebrate!

Celebrate with 3 New Map Packs Available to Play Now!

To celebrate 2 years of the DNF 2001 build and the start of our new team we have 3 map packs ready to launch now! They work with any other version of DNF 2001 even the original leak, so long as you have properly copied the Maps, Music and Textures folders and their contents to where you have DNF 2001 installed. Otherwise our updated build contains these maps and more and can be launched from their spots in the level select menu.

We have created our own custom build of the DNF 2001 project from the original build and the Mighty Foot Productions Open Source update. This build includes:

  • 6 new maps (see the map packs below)
  • New music, textures and sounds
  • Default use of the Matt Wood Model by Colmedy
  • Screenshot Series #1-3
  • Updated code for gameplay and quality of life features
  • And more!

You can download this build at the link below or we have all maps available as individual downloads for you to choose from and use any version of DNF 2001 to play them!

DNF 2001 Returns Gameplay Showcase Video


Below we have screenshots and details on what to expect from these 3 map packs that you can play today!

Countdown to Destruction

This 3 level map pack has Duke hopping in his boat and taking on the infected EDF over Lake Mead! Finally reaching Hoover Dam for the next 2 levels, where Duke will find the dam overrun with snatchers, infected tourists and even more snatched EDF with even more firepower than ever. This all out inter-dimensional war has begun! To start these 3 maps, select New Game - This is not a boating accident! - "Lake Mead" in the level select.

Nevada's EDF Base is overrun! In this 2 level map pack, Duke arrives by helicarrier to support EDF trying to take back the base from snatched EDF. Its hard to tell who is a friendly and who is infected in what has become all out warfare on the base. Find a way inside the base and help the EDF! To start these 2 maps, select New Game - Ground Zero - "EDF Base Chunk 1" in the level select.


Stratosfear Mall Shootout

Duke has been able to find a way into the Stratosfear Mall where the main source of the snatchers in Las Vegas has been discovered by the EDF! Traps, snatched EDF and more await Duke inside, it won't be easy getting to the top. In this one level map pack, Duke must make his way through the backrooms to get into the mall itself. To start this 1 map, select New Game - Stratosfear - "Stratosfear Mall Start" in the level select.


The Screenshot Series Continues!

We plan to continue the screenshot series and have another one ready for you! Based on the previous work done on the Dam Guide screenshot, we put together another on the same map, this time of the EDF Soldier at the base of the Hoover Dam. This screenshot provided fans with a very close look at the astonishing detail human faces appeared to have in these screenshots from 1999 as seen in the PC Gamer issue earlier in the article.

Check out all 3 entries of the Screenshot Series below with download and article links!

image

9344394 20230820135502 1

area

We are a group of dedicated and passionate Duke Nukem fans who have likely watched that 2001 trailer hundreds and hundreds of times, even to this day. The franchise means a lot to us and we have worked with many other Duke Nukem projects before such as the Restoration Project with Mighty Foot Productions, Duke Nukem 3D mods and other first person shooter mods.

The Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Mapping and Modding Team is looking forward to releasing fun and quick maps to the community, both original and new. We are also looking to create some new models and enemies from the earlier 1997-1998 concept art that never made it into any version of Duke Nukem Forever. An example of this is Nega Duke, who had a more punk/metal look with robotic augmented limbs and weapons.

IMG 2149 1

Our goal is to replicate this look for Nega Duke and release some boss arenas with him


We look forward to a lot of fun and exciting content for us to create and for you to enjoy in the future. Thanks for taking the time to check us out.

Over these 2 years there have been many maps, mods and more created for DNF 2001, below we link to some of the greats such as the Restoration Project, Director's Cut and to DNF Maps where you can find many 2001 maps such as recreations of 3D maps.

Its great to be joining these amazing teams and creators in bringing you 2001 content! Long live the King!


Thank you!


Always bet on Duke

images

a70173259986b6b812c5875719ed7a28

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Countdown to Destruction OUT NOW!

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Countdown to Destruction OUT NOW!

News 2 comments

I worked on some Lake Mead and Hoover Dam levels when I was working with Mighty Foot Productions, it was never meant to be in the final game but helped...

A Mighty Year in Review

A Mighty Year in Review

Duke Nukem Forever: Restoration Project 7 comments

Thumbnail art by Dakota Lee We've been hard at work over the past year to bring you one hell of a multiplayer update and some great quality of life features...

3D Realms/Apogee History: Screenshot Series Map Release Article - Hoover Dam Guide (November 1999)

3D Realms/Apogee History: Screenshot Series Map Release Article - Hoover Dam Guide (November 1999)

Duke Nukem Forever: Restoration Project 6 comments

Step into 3D Realms' development past with us, as we join them on their tour of the Hoover Dam. We are releasing the second entry in our Screenshot Series...

Duke It Out 0.2.1 Release!

Duke It Out 0.2.1 Release!

Duke Nukem Forever: Restoration Project 14 comments

Today we celebrate hard work over the past 3 months to bring you our second patch! Aiming to make the game more challenging, add more possibilities, and...

Add file RSS Related Files
Screenshot Series Map Release #3 - November 1999 EDF Soldier

Screenshot Series Map Release #3 - November 1999 EDF Soldier

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Screenshot Series Full Version

Screenshot recreation of the EDF Soldier at the base of the Hoover Dam from November 1999.

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: EDF Base Attack

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: EDF Base Attack

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: EDF Base Attack Full Version

Nevada's EDF Base is overrun! In this 2 level map pack, Duke arrives by helicarrier to support EDF trying to take back the base from snatched EDF. Its...

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Stratosfear Mall Shootout

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Stratosfear Mall Shootout

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Stratosfear Mall Shootout Full Version

Duke has been able to find a way into the Stratosfear Mall where the main source of the snatchers in Las Vegas has been discovered by the EDF! Traps...

Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Returns v0.32

Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Returns v0.32

Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Returns Full Version 39 comments

We have also created our own custom build of the DNF 2001 from the original build and the Mighty Foot Productions Open Source update. This build also...

Screenshot Series Map #2 - Hoover Dam Guide (November 1999)

Screenshot Series Map #2 - Hoover Dam Guide (November 1999)

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Screenshot Series Full Version

Screenshot Series Map #2 - Hoover Dam Guide (November 1999)

Screenshot Series Map #1 - Area 51 (November 1999)

Screenshot Series Map #1 - Area 51 (November 1999)

Duke Nukem Forever 2001: Screenshot Series Full Version

Recreation of the Area 51 November 1999 screenshot! Play it today! The map includes all the new additions to lighting, props, AI friendlies, geometry...

Post comment Comments  (0 - 10 of 55)
Guest
Guest - - 698,065 comments

This comment is currently awaiting admin approval, join now to view.

Guest
Guest - - 698,065 comments

This comment is currently awaiting admin approval, join now to view.

NickD1202
NickD1202 - - 5 comments

Will Duke Nukem Forever 2001 be ported to android once it's fully completed?

Reply Good karma Bad karma0 votes
TheUnbeholden
TheUnbeholden - - 3,617 comments

TBH I am not sure when this game will have a proper release and be actually playable in a official release, let alone a android release, but heres to hoping this will get the best treatment one day from a ambitious developer.

Reply Good karma Bad karma+2 votes
PsyWarVeteran
PsyWarVeteran - - 1,961 comments

The saddest cancellation in the gaming history ever, yes "cancellation" because I don't count the 2011 release as the real Duke Nukem Forever.

The version that's being developed from 2001 to 2003 had the potential to be an unforgettable game of the year. It had so many cool, impressive and imaginative features for the time. With the leak the modders can polish it up to a degree but in the end it doesn't change the fact that we missed out an official, classic Duke release that will never come back.

We didn't want the best game ever George, just a solid Duke game, know when to fold 'em.

All that said, I have a pipe-dream: Since the interest in these older FPS games have seeminly been re-ignited with many pretty good releases emulating those 90's classics released, maybe this game can be reworked and can finally officially released? It would be much cheaper to work on when compared to any big release of 2023 that's for sure.

Reply Good karma Bad karma+5 votes
anotherthing
anotherthing - - 1 comments

That's the crazy part about all this. He kept pushing for the "perfect game" to the point where they lost the rights to Duke Nukem to Gearbox. It's an unobtainable goal because technology keeps moving forward. What wasn't possible 30 years ago is standard today. I can play Duke Nukem 3D maps that wouldn't have been possible on a computer in 1996 on my phone now. Make a solid game, release the game, make the next one better with the money you made from the last one.

Reply Good karma Bad karma+1 vote
Guest
Guest - - 698,065 comments

Currently, the game is crashing on start up saying the debugger is not working or something along the lines of that. It was working previously which makes me wonder if placing the patch in the 2.0 folder had anything to do with it. Does anybody know how to fix it?

Reply Good karma Bad karma0 votes
LiquidOtacon
LiquidOtacon - - 50 comments

Yes that's likely why it's not working. You need to make a fresh new install

Reply Good karma Bad karma+2 votes
Trex8210
Trex8210 - - 8 comments

Can anyone help me? I'm trying to run this on Windows 11 but no matter, the game just boots to a black screen with music playing. I tried everything, the guides i've found do (Ie install the megapatch, the d3d8 wrapper, etc) but nothing seems to work and I'm starting to wonder if I missed anything.

Reply Good karma Bad karma+1 vote
Trex8210
Trex8210 - - 8 comments

UPDATE: It was the d3d8 wrapper that was include that was messing things up for me- I had to use a different one and finally I could boot into the menu. Seems promising.

Reply Good karma Bad karma+1 vote
TheUnbeholden
TheUnbeholden - - 3,617 comments

Have you found any other issues?

Reply Good karma Bad karma+1 vote
Post a comment

Your comment will be anonymous unless you join the community. Or sign in with your social account:

X
Tags