14 DAY TRIAL // 3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment have teased a new iteration in the Duke Nukem series, titled Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction, at the start of the month.
Interceptor has previously worked on Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded, the development of which was suspended, and is responsible for the remake of cult first-person shooter Rise of the Triad.
Although the official reveal of the new project was scheduled for February 25, the teaser site has not been updated, featuring only a sort of distress signal audio signal and image.
Additionally, Gearbox Software has filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment, following the unauthorized use of the Duke Nukem intellectual property, which they own since the 2010 acquisition.
Gearbox backed up its claim with a copy of the 2010 contract and the February 2014 declaration from 3D realms representatives acknowledging Gearbox's rights and the infringement, that followed the cease and desist letter issued after the teaser website went live, as Joystiq reports.
"I acknowledge that 3DR's actions, which were taken at 3DR's behest, constitute a material breach of the Duke IP terms that cause irreparable harm to Gearbox and its Duke IP rights. By wilfully and materially breaching the [asset purchase agreement] and related Duke IP Terms, I agree that Gearbox is entitled to all legal and equitable remedies against [3D Realms]," the declaration dated February 16 states.
Gearbox is currently seeking all kinds of damages, from compensatory and legal cost to punitive and exemplary, as well as an injunction against ongoing and future trademark and copyright infringements that also covers potentially misleading marketing materials.
The latest installment in the Duke Nukem series was 2011's Duke Nukem Forever, a game which spent more than 12 years in the making and was ultimately a disappointment, but managed to be profitable for publisher Take-Two based solely on its notoriety.