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Update: SDN Invest, the investment group behind Interceptor Entertainment, has confirmed the acquisition of Apogee Software Ltd, also known as 3D Realms.
SDN Invest founder Mike Nielsen has been appointed as CEO of 3D Realms following the deal.
"3D Realms is legendary for its contributions to the gaming industry, as both the pioneer of the shareware model and an always generous partner who has provided both funding and guidance to game studios such as id Software, Parallax Software, Remedy Entertainment, and many others," said Nielsen.
"3D Realms has also developed, co-developed, and co-financed such hits as Commander Keen, Duke Nukem, Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, Raptor, Shadow Warrior and Prey. There are only a handful of independent studios with a better track record of original games. Yet even with this stellar track record, we hope we can take the company to new heights."
3D Realms co-founder Scott Miller added: “My long time partner George Broussard and I are extremely proud of our past, especially as developers who always tried to partner with up-and-coming studios who just needed their break. Our history shows we did that throughout the 1990s & 2000s, and I expect the new 3D Realms to continue with this tradition in full force. Our industry needs more good guys, who honor the profession and fellow hard-working developers."
Original story: Danish studio Interceptor Entertainment has acquired original Duke Nukem developer Apogee Software Ltd, otherwise known as 3D Realms.
Apogee Software Ltd is not to be confused with Apogee Software LLC, the developer of Rise of the Triad.
The news was confirmed by Interceptor CEO Frederik Schreiber on Twitter, who said there would be an official statement on the matter today to clarify the situation.
Yes, we have indeed acquired Apogee/3D Realms. We will be giving an official statement tomorrow.@InterceptorEnt , @RiseoftheTriad
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 2, 2014
@Spiludviklingdk @ApogeeSoftware SDN Invest is the owner of Apogee Software Ltd d/b/a 3D Realms. Not to be confused with Apogee Software LLC
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 2, 2014
3D Realms is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Borderlands developer Gearbox, which had acquired the rights to the Duke Nukem IP in 2010.
Despite this however, 3D Realms recently announced top-down RPG Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction, leading to Gearbox filing a lawsuit.
"Apparently, after selling its Duke Nukem IP rights to Gearbox in 2010, [3D Realms] sought to privately convince others that the sale never happened," the lawsuit says.
It adds Interceptor and 3D Realms had "colluded to misappropriate and make infringing use of the Duke Nukem trademarks and copyrights owned by Gearbox".
