3D Realms fires back at Gearbox: Duke Nukem is 'the sole property of 3DR'

Last month, Gearbox filed suit against 3D Realms over the rights to Duke Nukem. The company maintains that, along with the rights to publish Duke Nukem Forever, it obtained the IP -- and the sole right to publish new titles in the franchise. However, it's come to light that 3D Realms and developer Interceptor are working together to create a new game in the franchise, variously titled Mass Destruction or Survivor depending on which documents you're reading. Gearbox has aimed, through this legal move, to put a stop to that. Today, Polygon reports via statements provided by Interceptor and 3D Realms that 3D Realms plans to assert its rights IP and Interceptor will continue to develop the game. "3DR denies all allegations set forth in the complaint. ... it is our position that the Trademark for 'Duke Nukem' was never assigned to Gearbox, but remains the sole property of 3DR," reads the 3D Realms statement in part. To catch up on the details of the suit, you can check out our prior reporting. This isn't the first legal bad blood between 3D Realms and Gearbox over Duke Nukem, incidentally, as the former brought suit against the latter over royalties, though 3D Realms later dropped that lawsuit.