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[Update] Interceptor Purchases Duke Nukem Publisher 3D Realms
Update #2: In a press release this morning announcing the deal, Interceptor formally confirmed its purchase of Apogee Software, Ltd. (d/b/a 3D Realms). This company should not be confused with Apogee Software, LLC, which published the new Rise of the Triad developed by Interceptor Entertainment.
As we reported yesterday, Interceptor board chairman and Coolshop founder Mike Nielsen has immediately assumed the CEO role for 3D Realms. "There are only a handful of independent studios with a better track record of original games," Nielsen said. "Yet even with this stellar track record, we hope we can take the company to new heights."
Update #1: CEO of Interceptor Entertainment, Frederik Schreiber, has confirmed the purchase on Twitter.
Yes, we have indeed acquired Apogee/3D Realms. We will be giving an official statement tomorrow.@InterceptorEnt , @RiseoftheTriad
— Frederik Schreiber (@Freschism) March 2, 2014
Interceptor Entertainment released Rise of the Triad last year, but previously worked on a number of Duke Nukem games licensed from the company it now owns. As Schreiber states in his tweet, there will more details tomorrow.
Original story:
The future of Apogee Software/3D Realms, the publisher behind games like Shadow Warrior and Duke Nukem, is now in the hands of a Danish company.
According to a report form Danish website Borsen.dk, the publisher is now owned by a Danish company, and a new CEO, Mike Nielson, has been appointed to the head of the company. Nielson is a founder of the investment firm SDN Invest and co-owner of the retail website CoolShop.dk.
Speaking with Borsen.dk about his new position, Nielson cited franchises like Duke Nukem, Commander Keen, and Shadow Warrior as being valuable franchises he hopes to return to their former glory. Apogee Software/3D Realms is located in Texas, and will remain there for the foreseeable future. Interceptor Entertainment, which has made games based on Apogee Software/3D Realms licenses and released the new Rise of the Triad last year, is based in Herning, Denmark.
Apogee Software/3D Realms and Interceptor Entertainment are currently involved in a lawsuit with Gearbox Entertainment over the use of the Duke Nukem license, which Gearbox purchased in order to complete development on Duke Nukem Forever. You can read more about that story here.
We've reached out to Interceptor Entertainment for more information on the purchase.
[Source: Borsen.dk]
Our Take
This is an unexpected surprise for Apogee Software/3D Realms. I'm curious how this will change the future of a publisher that, despite having a respectable library of franchises under its umbrella, doesn't release games very often. Newly appointed CEO Mike Nielson called out Commander Keen specifically, a game I remember playing extensively. I'd be curious to see a new updated take on that franchise. Maybe it will come to fruition under new owners.
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