Wired on Duke Nukem Forever

As one patient fan pointed out, when development on Duke Nukem Forever started, most computers were still using Windows 95, Pixar had made only one movie — Toy Story — and Xbox did not yet exist.

At some point, coverage of Duke Nukem Forever hit a wall. Blame the tight-lipped developers or a lack of creativity on the part of games journalists; either way, most articles that showed up amounted to some variation on "Duke Nukem Forever is coming soon" with a snide editorial comment about how it probably won't be coming soon. The true story behind the game's twelve-year life and recent death, however, has continued to be the cover story that every game magazine editor wishes they could write. It was only a matter of time before someone did. While Clive Thompson's Wired article isn't quite comprehensive --most of the contributors are anonymous, and co-founders George Broussard and Scott Miller declined to be interviewed-- it's the best stab anyone's taken at the story of Duke Nukem Forever's production. Also, check out the fantastic illustrations by A Life Well Wasted poster designer Olly Moss.

Wired: Learn to Let Go: How Success Killed Duke Nukem