Everyone still knows them: the gaming titles that shaped our own youth. But some of them we never saw again? Where have they gone?
Duke Nukem was almost a running gag. Because after big hits in the 90s with Duke Nukem, Duke Nukem 2 and Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem Forever was supposed to be the logical next step.
But then fans were put off again and again and only rewarded for waiting 15 years later. Well, halfway. Because despite the long development time, the game was not really good. Nevertheless, Duke Nukem is one of those gaming franchises that many know and have loved.
Now it has been quiet around this cult brand for a long time. Not much happened after the 2011 release. In 2021, another trailer about Duke Nukem Begins has surfaced – a game which was planned in 2008. A drop in the ocean – lousy graphics and no story highlights. PC Games speculated about a third-person shooter with co-op modes. In addition, a 2001 version of Duke Nukem Forever was leaked. But that doesn’t satisfy the hunger of the pack.
Eventually, though, Duke fans can rejoice on the couch. Because after initial reports in 2018 that John Cena was to play Duke in a movie – there was a recent update. The wrestler will probably not play a role – but the production company behind Cobra Kai seems to be taking on the franchise, as Hollywood Reporter reported in the summer.
So maybe in the future, some fans from back in the day could reminisce.
Bioshock – Actually too successful, isn’t it?
The first Bioshock part came out in 2007 and with the further titles Bioshock 2 (2010) and Bioshock Infinite (2013), as well as the episode updates, the shooter is one of the most successful gaming franchises ever. It is said to have sold over 37 million games.
But 2K Games has taken it a bit slower with the Bioshock brand, at least game-wise. A Collection came out in 2016, but it was just an improved remake of the old titles. Instead, fans have been waiting for more action from the underwater locations for almost six years.
In 2019, there was first info that a new Bioshock game is being worked on. However, the release is still uncertain.
EVERYTHING I KNOW AND HEARD ABOUT THE NEW BIOSHOCK.
Do not take most of this information at face value, I thought for a long time whether it was worth sharing all of this at all but a large number of people crave for at least some information from me.
Artwork credit: @griefgreen pic.twitter.com/AArq9oMZ90
– Oops Leaks (@oopsleaks) September 4, 2022
A leaker wants it known that the upcoming game will come with open-world elements and will be released no later than 2024.
Still, there seems to be fodder for trailers soon. Streaming service Netflix is planning a movie adaptation with director Francis Lawrence, who also directed I am Legend.
What else? Dungeon Keeper and co.
A few other brands also enjoyed great popularity in the past and then faded out. Like Dungeon Keeper, for example. The real-time strategy game set in twisting dungeons had really good games with the first two titles – in 1997 and 1999.
In 2014, there was an attempt at a mobile game, but it completely fell through as a pay2win game.
Alternatives include Kalypso’s Dungeons series, a fresh release, and Dungeon Keeper creator Peter Molyneux launched War for the Overworld in 2015, which is also reasonably popular on Steam.
Even Half-Life is a real gaming milestone with its games (1998 and 2004). With Half-Life: Alyx came a virtual reality game in 2020 that silenced, at least temporarily, the meme-turned-question “When is Half-Life 3 coming?”. Whether a new part of the classic first-person shooter will come remains open.
Perhaps gamers out there can then look forward to a surprising return of one or two franchises. Otherwise, there are also the recurring releases of Call of Duty, Battlefield or FIFA – and there were already those in the past.
