There have been a lot of great stories about Gearbox's last-minute saving throw for
Duke Nukem Forever, but
this interview with Giant Bomb summarizes it nicely. Randy Pitchford and Jeff Gerstmann, two industry personalities who are very cool guys I respect a lot, discuss the details of how the King was saved from cancellation.
Pitchford is the self-described biggest fan of Duke Nukem, and while that gives me some confidence, he and Gearbox are also highly competent and successful developers with a strong track record. I think Gerstmann is right: this whole story would make a great book. It's one of gaming's biggest downward spirals turned into a triumphant redemption, by a perfect storm of timing, goodwill, success and just plain luck. Regardless of how Duke Nukem Forever turns out, that's one hell of an accomplishment.
