Hey there! EDuke32 team member Hendricks266 here with an update on EDuke32.

NightFright recently mentioned that the EDuke32 Team planned to make our Synthesis build system produce separate 32-bit and 64-bit packages. I have since implemented this change. (It is also worth noting that Mapster32 and other files related to modding have been moved into a package named "eduke32-sdk".)

You will now find that separate 7-Zip archives exist targeting "win32" and "win64"--fairly self-explanatory. You will also find that both packages contain eduke32.exe, and this is intended. "eduke64.exe" was nothing more than a placeholder file name. We're still EDuke32.

You are likely to find that 64-bit builds give the Polymer renderer a bit of a performance advantage over the 32-bit builds. Once our team member Plagman has sufficient time, he will restructure Polymer to equalize and improve the performance under both architectures.

However, if you are a fan of the 8-Bit Classic software renderer, you will want to stick with the 32-bit build for better performance using it instead. If you're wondering why these differences exist, hop on the EDuke32 IRC Channel and I'll be happy to give you the highly technical explanation.

I hope to share further developments with you in the near future. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

At long last, EDuke32 binaries for 64bit are available!

While extensive testing still needs to be done to yield conclusive results, you may expect some performance improvements on 64bit systems with these, in some cases even considerable ones. Polymer users are especially encouraged and recommended to use them - in combination with the HRP, a decrease of level loading times, higher framerates and less ingame lags might be convincing arguments for giving it a try. We certainly won't mind if you do!

Download latest EDuke32 snapshot and use included eduke64.exe instead of eduke32.exe, that's already it. (It is planned to have separate releases for 32bit and 64bit in the near future.)

A glitch with the level stats screen in the latest DukeDC HRP was discovered, making it necessary to issue a hotfix release.

DukeDC HRP v1.61 changelog:

• [FIX] Level stats screen does not partially use outdated HRP v5.2 highres tiles any more
• [UPDATE] Revised versions of "Ciberella" and "Nikki" posters
• [UPDATE] Revised version of US flag (EU star pattern replaced)

We may not have made it for a summer release, but (very) early fall is still better than waiting until NUCLEAR WINTER!

Duke3D HRP v5.3 is out, guys! Ten months since the last pack was issued, another 100 MB of contents have been added. Here is what awaits you this time:

• [FEATURE] New maphacks system: Hacks for 500+ custom maps included!
• [UPDATE] Polymer versions of 15 existing textures added; about 10 new textures (some for Ep.4)
• [UPDATE] Remakes of existing props models: Airlock sign, microphone, exit sign, hand dryer, Terminator+arm,
  Cycloid Emperor hologram, Dukeburger statue
• [UPDATE] Remakes of character models for Duke (by Mark Skelton, Tea Monster and Spiker) and
  Cycloid Emperor (by Tea Monster)
• [UPDATE] Remakes of pickup models: Jetpack, health bottles, First Aid kit
• [UPDATE] Improvements for Mighty Boot, HUD pistol hands and chaingun muzzleflash
• [UPDATE] New level stats screen (based on new Duke model)
• [FIX] Screen alignment fix for HUD scubagear
• [FIX] Small corrections for pistol and shotgun pickup models (size, rotation, center)

Once again, a heartfelt thank-you to all modellers and texture artists who have been working hard, coordinating their efforts to get all this nice stuff together in time! Same goes to the EDuke32 coders who are providing us with the best port this game can possibly have - the one it deserves!

Download HRP 5.3 HERE - another fine product of the Duke3D community which is still very much alive, taking good care of one of the greatest FPS classics in PC gaming history!

This isn't even it yet! DukeDC HRP v1.6 is also available, and this time it's better than ever - Spiker managed to get ALL missing highres stuff from the addon done (except for the finale cutscene)! The missing models for Bill Clinton (in DUKEDC9 "Nuke Proof") and the White House (in DUKEDC5 "Capitol Punishment") are added, along with all missing textures, decals and signs. This is a major achievement, turning this into the first complete highres pack of all the official Duke3D addons out there!

What else can I tell you? DOWNLOAD, DOWNLOAD, DOWNLOAD!

MusicallyInspired has finished his update for the Duke3D SC-55 OGG Pack. The major change is that OGG tracks now have loop point metadata tags for EDuke32, making them loop correctly ingame while fading out when being played back externally. Additionally, audio data was compressed and the volume increased to improve the listening experience while playing in general. I have incorporated the new tracks into a ready-to-use SC-55 Music Pack v4.0 over at the Download section.

So, what else is currently waiting for you in the pipeline?

First of all, the next Duke3D HRP release (v5.3) is coming along nicely. Opposite to the last iteration which was kinda rushed, artists have been given estimate deadlines so they could finish new contributions in time. You can expect quite a bunch of updated models and textures this time, even though little new stuff was added. It's safe to say you will get everything this summer still, rather sooner than later.

A small update for the DukeDC HRP might also be happening, not only with adjustments for the new full HRP, but also most likely with a President Clinton model which is currently work-in-progress by Spiker.

Since early May, I am almost constantly busy with a side-project of mine which involves a considerable amount of classic Duke3D addons (such as "The Gate", "Last Reaction & Water Bases" or "Platoon TC", but also many which are much less known) being prepared und updated for easy EDuke32 launch and Polymer playability. Some of you might have already found a test file hidden well in the depths of the Duke4.net forums, but believe me... that's a joke compared to what is about to be published. The EDuke32 Addon Pack - coming soon!

Also worth mentioning:

Rise of the Triad HD is available for pre-order now. You can get it from the Apogee website, GoG or Steam (among others probably, but those should be the major sites for most people). Steam pre-orders will come with the Apogee Throwback Pack for free (which contains the classic shooters Blake Stone, Planet Strike and the original Rise of the Triad)!

Other exciting news involve the release of the long-lost source code for Blake Stone/Planet Strike. Most of you probably do not know about the game, mainly because it got released only minimally earlier than Doom which was superior in pretty much every aspect. Nevertheless, it's a nice little gem from the classic Apogee era which is more than worth playing. The availability of the source code should enable inventive programmers to come up with ports for the game, the most promising one possibly being Blzut3's ECWolf port.

Last but not least, I'd like you to pay attention to the Steam release of Shadow Warrior Classic Redux, the silent and indirect successor to Duke3D. Just like Blake Stone, many players hardly know it ever existed, which is a shame since Shadow Warrior features a lot of (adult) humor, awesome Asian action and superb level design. This improved re-release comes with some HD graphics, OpenGL support, a digitized soundtrack and the two "commercial" addons which actually never went commercial, "Twin Dragon" and "Wanton Destruction". But even better, the lost third addon, "Deadly Kiss", will apparently get added in the not-so-distant future as well.

And I almost forgot to mention the Shadow Warrior sequel, currently in development by Devolver Digital/Flying Wild Hog...

Time for you to digest this wall of text! Stay tuned for more...

So some of you guys might have seen the Duke Nukem Forever 2013 trailer which was posted on Youtube one month ago. While it was considered to be a nice joke, no one would have ever believed it was meant to be anything beyond an amusing mock-up to show what the actual Duke Nukem Forever was missing compared to the legendary E3 trailer from 2001.

We couldn't have been more wrong, folks...!

On April 30, Gambini put an announcement into the Duke4.net forums which changed pretty much everything. The trailer actually wasn't any hoax, it was showing actual ingame footage from a Duke3D mod which has now been unleashed on the world!

Spanning over five levels and providing about two hours of gameplay, Gambini, Mikko Sandt and a few other masterminds are delivering the awesomeness which could (or should) have been included with DNF in the first place! Master new weapons (Assault Rifle, redesigned RPG/Shrinker), fight new enemies (T-800, new types of Enforcers which fire lasers or freezer projectiles, tentacle soldiers and more), explore locations you know from the E3 trailer (e.g. EDF Headquarters, the Anderson Mines or encounters with the frightened girl and old Gus), ride a motorbike and the legendary donkey and, most importantly, enjoy some of the most entertaining Duke3D levels you might have played in ages!

It is impossible to put everything that could be said about this mod here, but I have posted a small review in the Duke4.net forums (also with some screenshots, and the thread contains more). Basically, all you need to do is to place the mod contents in a folder, put a copy of your duke3d.grp there as well and run the included batch file, done. Minimum effort, maximum enjoyment.

Stop wasting more time and get the "DAM" thing NOW over at ModDB!

After two new music packs have been added recently, I have taken a look at the older SC-55 Music Pack once again and realized that its tracks are not normalized, resulting in a lower ingame volume than intended. I have taken care of that issue and uploaded an updated version (v3.1) which you can get from the Download section as usual.

This will serve as a placeholder release until MusicallyInspired finishes his work on v4.0 which should include these changes, also adding looping points featured in more recent EDuke32 snapshots.

Since March 20, the Duke Nukem 3D Megaton Edition is available on Steam! Besides the option to run the game in OpenGL or classic mode (via DOSBox), it also includes the addons Duke Caribbean, Duke It Out in D.C. and Nuclear Winter. These expansions were kind of hard to come by so far, so this is your chance to get the full package right now!

You will get a 10% discount if you buy until March 27, so anyone who is still missing this must-have title should seriously fix this as soon as possible!