8 Video Games That Escaped Development Hell (But Shouldn’t Have)

8. Duke Nukem Forever

Time In Development Hell: 15 Years

We may as well start with Duke Nukem Forever, since the game has become  the poster child for development troubles. Work on Forever started in 1996, almost immediately after the launch of classic shooter Duke Nukem 3D, but after a few years of showing off gameplay videos and delaying release dates, 3D Realms finally threw their arms up and announced the release date as “When it’s done.”

They weren’t kidding; for close to ten years there was nothing but rumours and vague statements, including the switch to new game engines being a big reason for the long delay. Eventually 3D Realms went under, and heartbroken fans had to get used to the idea they’d never see the game they spent over a decade lusting after. 

Then Gearbox came in to save the day and spent another year hammering it into releasable shape; but they really should have let it die.

The final game – released a full fifteen years after work began – was a dated, ugly mess that bore the stitches of its protracted birth. It was also painful unfunny and just plain dull to play, and fans had to wonder why it took so long to release something so average.