Half a year has passed since the last piece of news here, so where are we? Well, basically at the same point where we have been before: We are still adding new contents to the Polymer HRP build, working towards a new milestone release. Until this happens, there is still a new preview release for the impatient guys. Download Polymer HRP v4.2.119 Preview (439 MB) if you want to see what's new.

Again, there is no installer for this. Previous HRP v4.0 users proceed like last time:

> Update "eduke32.exe" with latest EDuke32 binaries (choose topmost folder) for Polymer support.
> In your "autoload" folder, remove any HRP packs, i.e. "duke3d_hrp.zip" and "hrp_update.zip" (if available). You can also remove "maphacks.zip" since hacks are already included. Any music pack or addons like the XXX Pack do not cause conflicts.
> Copy downloaded "polymer_hrp.zip" into your autoload folder, then run "eduke32.exe".

We hope you enjoy this new preview version! Stay tuned for more! ;)

While the new EDuke32 renderer Polymer is still work-in-progress, considerable improvements regarding HRP contents have been made. We thought this is reason enough to provide you with a beta build of the upcoming Polymer HRP so you can see for yourself what the next stage of our facelift for Duke3D will look like. Download Polymer HRP v4.2.054 Preview (405 MB), and you will notice the changes immediately without having to mention what's new. ;)

We will not provide a new installer for the moment since the work on the Polymer redesign of the pack is far from being completed yet. However, it is not difficult to get everything set up if you have a previous installation of HRP v4.0 in place:

> Update at least "eduke32.exe" with latest EDuke32 binaries (choose files from bottom folder on that site) for Polymer support.
> In your "autoload" folder, remove any HRP packs, i.e. "duke3d_hrp.zip" and "hrp_update.zip" (if available). You can also remove "maphacks.zip" since this new zipfile already includes the hacks. Any music pack or addons like the XXX Pack do not cause conflicts and may remain.
> Copy downloaded "polymer_hrp.zip" into your autoload folder, then run "eduke32.exe".

You might want to keep a backup copy of your former HRP installation somewhere in case you encounter performance problems (system requirements have increased) or you just do not like the new look (which we seriously doubt, however). :)

We hope you enjoy this preview version and wish you Happy Holidays!

Being a bit late, we want to inform you that the new Polymer renderer for EDuke32 is finally available for everyone since September 27! In combination with a special edition of the HRP, your Duke3D experience will change significantly - just have a look at the demo videos on Duke4.net! You will also find the needed links for the new engine build and the special HRP there.

Please note that the system requirements have increased with this release - an nvidia GeForce 6/ATI X1x00 are the minimum you will need to get this running properly, along with a pretty decent machine firing up your graphics boards.
Anyway, it's more than worth a try, so go check it out - even if it may not be fully finished yet (especially regarding the HRP contents needed to enjoy all currently finished textures with normalmaps etc - coming soon).

In other news, we have decided to release a new HRP Update (v4.1.1) even though only very few things have changed compared to v4.1. A few HUD icons have been fixed, some textures added and one or two textures/models fixes implemented. Nothing you would notice immediately, but still something new. Also don't forget to grab the new maphacks.
Notice this is meant for old Polymost renderer and HRP, not really compatible to the Polymer HRP due to definition differences. We are working on an HRP release which merges latest contents for Polymost compatibility. So if you want to use this update, be sure to use the standard HRP v4.0 which has been released in March.

Taking a bit longer than expected, HRP Update v4.1 is ready to launch. The most remarkable changes might be the fixed muzzleflash for the HUD pistol, improved fire, a slightly modified face for the Duke character and some skin fixes. The full changelog is included in the readme inside the zipfile.
In case you have never used HRP Update Pack before: Just look where your duke3d_hrp.zip file is and copy hrp_update.zip into the same folder. The rest is done automatically (same goes for maphacks).

Along with the new update, there is also an update for the maphacks. This was necessary because the new model for the medkit has a different (corrected) rotation which resulted in required changes in maphacks of almost all maps. If you use the new Update Pack, please also use Maphacks Reloaded v4.1 !

DukeDC HRP v1.51 is available as well. The changes are rather minor. Besides modified maphacks fitting the new HRP Update v4.1, the digital HUD font has been updated to HRP v4.0 version, resolution of intro screen has been increased to 1600x1200, and the sound for the endgame cutscene has been replaced by a high-quality OGG (thanks to Hendricks266).

In other news, my HRP Update Pack site (http://hrpupdate.duke4.net) has been shut down. It is really not required any more, you will find everything you need right here from now on. I will try to work out a solution with Parkar to enhance the download section so that my "Treasure Vault" section can somehow be revived as well. Until then, you will find the most vital files directly related to Duke3D here.

In case some of you have not read about it yet, 3D Realms has been shut down. This is neither the time nor the place to comment on the fate of the Duke creators, but what you should know: While this might have an impact on Duke Nukem Forever, our work for the Duke3D Highres Pack will continue. As a precaution in case the official 3DR forums are shut down (which is likely), the new place for discussion threads will be over at Duke4.net.

It's far from over, guys. It is rather a new beginning.

After weeks of internal and "external" testing, we have finally come up with an HRP installer which can be officially released to the public. You can now download either the installer or a zipped version of the HRP v4.0 (2009-03-23). This one is identical to the release previously labelled "Release Candidate (RC) 3".

Compared to previous HRPs, the differences are not that easy to spot, although the amount of implemented changes is yet quite remarkable. You can now enjoy the shareware episode with full highres contents (at least regarding singleplayer), check out the new menu fonts and loading screen and search for all the improved babe models we included. More than 300 textures and almost 50 props models have been added or revised.

A heartfelt thank-you to all people involved in this project, may it be modellers, texturing artists, uploaders, 3DR forum members or any other Duke fans. Without your help, all this progress would not have been possible. Please keep supporting us by creating new HRP contributions, posting your comments and/or suggestions to the forum, mirroring our files (provide links) or just by playing the game with our HRP. Which you should do, anyway! :)

You can now access a standalone pre-release version of upcoming HRP v4 (SVN build #300, 263 MB) over at the HRP Update Pack site. This does not have to be the version Parkar will include with his installer, but it might give you a pretty good idea about what to expect.

Note that you will just get the HRP zipfile itself - no EDuke32 snapshot, maphacks or other files are included, making the release candidate more suited for people who know how to keep their files up-to-date by themselves and who can easily exchange single files on their own. You can manually download updated maphacks, too.

If you have patience, wait approx. 1-2 weeks more till we have collected enough feedback and Parkar has compiled a proper installer with the final HRP version. Till then, you may have a look at the HRP v4 promo pack (2.6 MB), containing some screenies of important new models and a textfile with info about what's new.

Internal beta testing of upcoming HRP v4 has started. While no real problems are expected, we are currently pointed at some better textures and skins we can use instead of worse-looking ones currently inside the pack.

There are still some items left we want to have in the final release, especially the new babes (or revisions of existing ones) by alandog, chicken or escapist. As soon as these are done, we are set and ready to go.

Hold on a little longer, you will probably see the results for yourself in February.