Duke Nukem Forever PR Firm Issues Threat to Reviewers
If ever there was an ideal example of bad PR, the original developers of Duke Nukem Forever (DNF) probably wrote the handbook on it. When those developers, 3D Realms, finally collapsed, 2K Games picked up the banner and promised a speedy release of the first person shooter sequel that took 15 years to finish.
It is finally here! The wait is over! It sucks. Wait. What? That about sums up the reactions of many game reviewers and even long-time loyal Duke Nukem 3D fans. The Redner Group, which handled the PR for the release apparently did not like some of the comments and threatened to revoke privileges for future game reviews from anyone who made them upset.
The game has received abysmal reviews from many and mediocre reviews from others. They have called it humorless, an “embarrassment”, dated, uncreative, and other harsh criticisms. One could say that perhaps the game was “rushed”, but obviously a 15-year development term throws that idea out the window. Another theory is that 2K Games did not intend to invest anymore into a sinking franchise.
The Redner Group’s Twitter threat read, “Too many went too far with their reviews…we are reviewing who gets games next time and who doesn’t based on today’s venom.”
2K Games has already issued a statement disavowing any association with The Redner Group’s comments and assuring the press that they no longer represent 2K Games’ products. The Redner Group later apologized saying on Twitter, “I have to apologize to the community. I acted out of pure emotion. I will be sending each of you a private apology.”
Some had hoped that the release of Duke Nukem Forever would be a day to finally rejoice and enjoy the game they waited much of their adult lives to play. Today, however, it seems like its release just brings a sigh of relief that this entire fiasco is finally over.
