Duke Nukem Forever 
     (ACTION)


   In a somewhat ironic move, 3D Realms, longtime rival of
   id Software, licensed id's Quake II engine for the fourth Duke title.
   The move was a controversial one, mainly because 3D Realms is working
   on a more advanced engine for its next generation 3D blaster, Prey.
   Why, the critics wanted to know, was 3D Realms licensing technology
   from its arch-rival when it was scheduled to have an even better
   engine of its own?

   According to 3D Realms, Prey will require a 3D accelerator card to run
   and, because the company believes that 3D cards will not become
   standard in home PCs until the end of the year, that is when Prey will
   be released. If Duke Forever is to use the Prey engine, it would have
   to appear at the same time as Prey, thus competing with it, or at a
   much later date, probably mid 1999. In simple terms, 3D Realms didn't
   want to wait that long, but at the same time didn't want to resurrect
   its outdated Build engine. Licensing the Quake II engine was a short
   term, but satisfactory solution.

   Although id technology is evident, Duke Forever will still retain all
   the hallmarks of the previous Duke game: Duke's witty quips, wacky
   weapons, interactive environments and, this being 3D Realms,
   strippers. The setting will be Las Vegas during, of course, an alien
   invasion so expect plenty of bright lights and sleaze.