View source for 3D Realms

{{Short description|Video game publisher}}
{{Redirect|Apogee Software|the company founded in 2008|Apogee Entertainment}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = 3D Realms Entertainment ApS
| former_name = Apogee Software Productions<br />Apogee Software, Ltd.
| logo = 3D Realms.svg
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[Video game industry|Video games]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|1987}} in [[Garland, Texas]], US
| founder = [[Scott Miller (entrepreneur)|Scott Miller]]
| hq_location_city = [[Aalborg]]
| hq_location_country = Denmark
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Frederik Schreiber ([[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])}}
| products = [[List of 3D Realms games]]
| num_employees = 
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent = [[Saber Interactive]] (2021–present)
| website = {{URL|https://3drealms.com/}}
}}

'''3D Realms Entertainment ApS''' is a [[video game publisher]] based in [[Aalborg]], Denmark. [[Scott Miller (entrepreneur)|Scott Miller]] founded the company in his parents' home in [[Garland, Texas]], in 1987 as '''Apogee Software Productions''' to release his game ''[[Kroz|Kingdom of Kroz]]''. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company popularized a distribution model where each game consists of three episodes, with the first given away free as [[shareware]] and the other two available for purchase. ''[[Duke Nukem]]'' was a major franchise created by Apogee to use this model, and Apogee published [[Commander Keen]] and [[Wolfenstein 3D]] the same way.

Apogee began using the brand name 3D Realms for its 3D games in 1994, and in 1996 rebranded the company itself to 3D Realms to focus on traditionally-published 3D titles. ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]'' (1996) was released under this name to great success. 3D Realms largely ceased its publishing and development operations afterwards to focus on two extensively delayed games: ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'' (2006), which was under development until being taken over by another studio in 2001, and ''[[Duke Nukem Forever]]'' (2011), which remained [[development of Duke Nukem Forever|under development]] until 2009. The "Apogee Software" name, library, and logo were licensed to Terry Nagy in 2008, who established Apogee Software LLC to develop and publish ports and spinoffs of Apogee titles.

In 2009, 3D Realms, citing financial issues, laid off its development team and the majority of its staff, effectively ceasing operations. In March 2014, the company was acquired by SDN Invest, a Danish [[holding company]] and part-owner of [[Interceptor Entertainment]], and relaunched later that year as 3D Realms Entertainment ApS, headquartered in Denmark. 3D Realms Entertainment has since served as a games publisher. Miller remained an advisor for the company until 2021, when he and Nagy acquired the Apogee brand and relaunched Apogee Software LLC as [[Apogee Entertainment]], an independent games publisher. In August 2021, 3D Realms Entertainment was acquired by [[Embracer Group]] subsidiary [[Saber Interactive]], which was spun off from Embracer in March 2024.

== History ==
===Apogee Software===
==== Background ====
In the early 1980s, [[Scott Miller (entrepreneur)|Scott Miller]] often spent time in the [[computer lab]] of the high school he was attending, programming [[Interactive fiction|text adventures]] on the facility's [[Apple II]] and getting to know fellow student [[George Broussard]].<ref name="Polygon">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/10/26/16511514/wolfenstein-origins-apogee |title=Apogee: Where Wolfenstein got its start |first=Chris |last=Plante |date=October 26, 2017 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026234917/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/10/26/16511514/wolfenstein-origins-apogee |url-status=live }}</ref> Following graduation, both of them took jobs at local [[amusement arcade]] The Twilight Zone, allowing Miller to attend college and increase his interest in video games at the same time.<ref name="Polygon" /> Following his [[sophomore year]], Miller dropped out of the [[University of Dallas]] to focus entirely on video games, including participating in tournaments as well as programming his own games.<ref name="Polygon" /> At that time, he found a special interest in the [[Turbo Pascal]] [[programming language]] and its easy integration on [[IBM Personal Computer]]s.<ref name="Gamasutra, Page 4">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132501/20_years_of_evolution_scott_.php?page=4 |title=20 Years Of Evolution: Scott Miller And 3D Realms, Page 4 of 10 |first=Benj |last=Edwards |date=August 21, 2009 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509223941/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132501/20_years_of_evolution_scott_.php?page=4 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Miller subsequently figured that his knowledge on video games should earn him more money than he made at The Twilight Zone, wherefore he, with assistance by Broussard, wrote a manual-style book on "how to beat video games".<ref name="Polygon" /> The book fell into obscurity due to an oversaturated market but landed Miller a job as a video game critic for ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' and minor game-centric papers.<ref name="Polygon" /> After four years of writing for the newspaper, he decided that he was capable of creating games that were better than those that he had to review and quit his job. Miller acquired a 16.5k [[modem]], which he installed in his parents' house in [[Garland, Texas]], and started operating as a full-time independent game developer.<ref name="Polygon" />

==== The Apogee Model (1987–1996) ====
[[File:Apogee Software.png|thumb|left|250px|The Apogee Software logo]]
Most games developed by Miller at the time used [[extended ASCII]] characters as graphics.<ref name="Polygon" /><ref name="Gamasutra, Page 2">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132501/20_years_of_evolution_scott_.php?page=2 |title=20 Years Of Evolution: Scott Miller And 3D Realms, Page 2 of 10 |first=Benj |last=Edwards |date=August 21, 2009 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=March 5, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509223927/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132501/20_years_of_evolution_scott_.php?page=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The format appeared popular to him but ultimately proved unsuccessful when pitching them to publishers, adding to him not having a college degree or any professional experience in game development.<ref name="Polygon" /> As such, he considered self-printing copies of his games, or distributing them freely through [[bulletin board system]]s (BBS), where the boards' users make voluntary donations, a model known as [[shareware]] distribution.<ref name="Polygon" /> As the prior option seemed too expensive to Miller, he had to choose the latter, despite being urged not to by friends and colleagues.<ref name="Polygon" /> Miller released ''[[List of minor Apogee Software video games|Beyond the Titanic]]'' and ''[[Supernova (video game)|Supernova]]'' as shareware games in 1986 and 1987, respectively, but income was low, at roughly {{US$|10,000|link=yes}} donated in a year for both games combined.<ref name="Polygon" /> Miller's next game, ''[[Kroz|Kingdom of Kroz]]'', was developed to include 60 levels, more than what he wanted to release to the public for no cost.<ref name="Polygon" /> As such, he developed a new distribution model, dubbed the "Apogee model", in which only a fraction of the game would be made available to play for free on BBS, which, upon completion, would display Miller's mailing address to the player and ask them to contact him to buy the rest of the game.<ref name="Polygon" /> He applied this model to ''Kingdom of Kroz'' by breaking it up into three parts, named episodes, and sharing the first one over BBS while retaining the other two for sale.<ref name="Polygon" /><ref name="Gamasutra, Page 4" /> Released on November 26, 1987, ''Kingdom of Kroz'' was the first game to bear the name of Miller's one-man company, Apogee Software Productions.<ref name="Gamasutra, Page 4" /> The game proved successful, with checks sent to Miller amounting to roughly {{US$|80,000}}–{{US$|100,000}} and him receiving between {{US$|100}} and {{US$|500}} every single day.<ref name="Gamasutra, Page 4" /> Broussard later joined Apogee, merging his own, lesser-known game company Micro-FX into it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p10.html |title=GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 10 of 19 |first=John |last=Keefer |date=March 31, 2006 |website=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609133224/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p10.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== 3D Realms (1996–2009) ====
In 1994, Apogee decided to launch different brand names for each genre of games they published; it created 3D Realms for [[Video game graphics#3D|3D games]], publishing ''[[Terminal Velocity (video game)|Terminal Velocity]]'' in 1995 and developing the 1996 ''[[Duke Nukem 3D]]'' under the name, with the other titles released in those years still under Apogee.<ref name="APOGEEhistory2">{{cite web |url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/history2.html |title=3D Realms Site: Company History |publisher=3D Realms |access-date=July 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017094405/http://legacy.3drealms.com/history2.html |archive-date=October 17, 2016 }}</ref> In late 1996, however, Apogee renamed the company itself to 3D Realms to associate their brand with newer, 3D titles, and stopped using the Apogee brand name.<ref name="PolyEarly">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/27/4741076/apogee-shareware-1987 |title=Apogee: The one-man online game publisher of 1987 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=July 11, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018162443/http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/9/27/4741076/apogee-shareware-1987 |archive-date=October 18, 2016 }}</ref> The last game to be published under the Apogee name was ''[[Stargunner]]'' in 1996. Most of the proposed brands were never used, as 3D games like ''Duke Nukem'' became the company's focus. 3D Realms launched a brand for pinball games, Pinball Wizards, in February 1997, but only published ''[[Balls of Steel (video game)|Balls of Steel]]'' (1997) under the name.<ref name="APOGEEhistory2"/> Beginning in 1997 3D Realms shifted from episodic MS-DOS titles to non-episodic console and personal computer games. In the process it abandoned the shareware model in favor of a traditional publishing model; it also largely ceased its activities as a developer that same year, releasing only ''[[Shadow Warrior (1997 video game)|Shadow Warrior]]'' (1997).<ref name="APOGEEhistory">{{cite web|url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/history.html |title=3D Realms Site: History |publisher=3D Realms |access-date=June 4, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017094409/http://legacy.3drealms.com/history.html |archive-date=October 17, 2016 }}</ref> The sole exceptions were ''[[Prey (2006 video game)|Prey]]'' (2006), which stayed in development until 2001 when it was transferred to [[Human Head Studios]], and ''[[Duke Nukem Forever]]'' (2011), which famously stayed in development at 3D Realms as [[vaporware]] until 2009.<ref name="APOGEEhistory"/><ref name="Vapor">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/vaporware-2009-a-call-for-submissions/ |title=Vaporware 2009: A Call for Submissions |last=Calore |first=Michael |date=December 7, 2009 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |access-date=July 18, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226113023/https://www.wired.com/2009/12/vaporware-2009-a-call-for-submissions/ |archive-date=December 26, 2016 }}</ref>

The "Apogee Software" name, library, and logo were licensed to Terry Nagy in 2008, who formed Apogee Software, LLC as a separate company that would handle distribution, remakes, and other developments related to older Apogee games. 3D Realms retained the corporate name of Apogee Software, Ltd. Apogee Software, LLC was renamed [[Apogee Entertainment]] in 2021.<ref name="PolyEarly"/>

==== Corporate restructuring, legal disputes (2009–2014) ====
After ''Prey'' was transferred away from 3D Realms in 2001, the only project under development at the company was ''Duke Nukem Forever'', originally announced in 1997. The release date of the game was "when it's done."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/duke4/ |title=3D Realms Site: Duke Nukem Forever |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110123915/http://legacy.3drealms.com/duke4/ |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |website=3D Realms |access-date=January 13, 2007}}</ref> 3D Realms continued some operations as a publisher as part of the [[Gathering of Developers]] publishing group, but otherwise served only as the publisher and licensee of ''Duke Nukem''-related spinoffs and mobile games for the next few years. On May 6, 2009, the [[Development of Duke Nukem Forever|development of ''Duke Nukem Forever'']] was halted, and major staff cuts were initiated with the entire development team and most other employees laid off.<ref name=shutdown>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/58519/duke-nukem-developer-3d-realms |title=Duke Nukem Developer 3D Realms Shuts Down (Updated) |last1=Breckon |first1=Nick |last2=Faylor |first2=Chris |name-list-style=amp |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=May 6, 2009 |website=[[Shacknews]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507234540/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58519 |archive-date=May 7, 2009}}</ref><ref name=pressrelease/> According to Miller, the development was using up much of the company's funds as they struggled to bring in new 3D rendering technology for the game, leading to the decision to cut their staff and sell the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boudreau |first=Ian |date=2022-05-10 |title=Duke Nukem Forever 'destroyed 3D Realms' Apogee founder says |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/duke-nukem-forever/duke-nukem-3d-unreal-5-remake |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref>

On May 14, 2009, [[Take-Two]], holders of the publishing rights of ''Duke Nukem Forever'', filed a breach of contract suit against 3D Realms over failing to deliver the game.<ref name=lawsuit>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/58642/take-two-sues-3d-realms |title=Take-Two Sues 3D Realms for Failing to Deliver Duke Nukem Forever (Updated) |first=Nick |last=Breckon |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |website=[[Shacknews]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516154730/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58642 |archive-date=May 16, 2009}}</ref> Take-Two Interactive asked for a restraining order and a preliminary injunction, to make 3D Realms keep the ''Duke Nukem Forever'' assets intact during proceedings.<ref name=lawsuit2>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/58651/take-two-v-3d-realms |title=Take-Two v. 3D Realms Court Documents Materialize, 3DR's Scott Miller Responds |first=Nick |last=Breckon |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |website=Shacknews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518092202/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58651 |archive-date=May 18, 2009}}</ref><ref name=lawsuit3>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/58664/no-30m-offer-for-duke |title=No $30M Offer for Duke Nukem IP, Says 3D Realms |first=Chris |last=Faylor |date=May 16, 2009 |access-date=May 16, 2009 |website=[[Shacknews]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518094006/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58664 |archive-date=May 18, 2009}}</ref> On May 18, 2009, 3D Realms key executives announced that "3D Realms has not closed and is not closing", but that due to lack of funds development operations were ceasing and the company would continue to "license and co-create games based upon the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise." They accused Take-Two of trying to acquire the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise in a "[[fire sale]]".<ref name="pressrelease">{{cite web |date=May 18, 2009 |title=3D Realms: We're not closing, Spent $20M on Duke Nukem Forever |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/05/3d-realms-were-not-closing-spent-20-million-on-duke-nukem-forever/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522225923/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/05/3d-realms-were-not-closing-spent-20-million-on-duke-nukem-forever/ |archive-date=May 22, 2009 |access-date=May 19, 2009 |website=[[Kotaku]] Australia}}</ref>

On September 3, 2010, Take-Two Interactive announced that development of ''Duke Nukem Forever'' had been shifted over to [[Gearbox Software]], effectively ending 3D Realms' association with the game after 12 years of development. 3D Realms remained credited as a co-developer on ''Duke Nukem Forever'', due to their involvement in developing most of the game. The rights and intellectual property were sold to Gearbox, however, who became the owners of the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-09-07 |title=Gearbox acquires Duke Nukem IP |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gearbox-acquires-duke-nukem-ip/1100-6275307/ |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

An external developer, [[Interceptor Entertainment]], started work on a fan-project remake of ''Duke Nukem 3D'' in 2010. They received a limited authorization from Gearbox to proceed with the game, which was named ''[[Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded]]''. However, after ''Duke Nukem Forever''{{'}}s release and negative reception in 2011, ''Duke Nukem 3D: Reloaded'' was put on hold indefinitely.

In an interview conducted with Scott Miller in April 2011, Miller specified that 3D Realms was involved with several projects: "we have several projects underway, all fairly small—not any big console games. Once [''Duke Nukem Forever''] comes out we'll be definitely looking to invest into other projects, and maybe other {{Sic|up-n-coming}} teams who are blazing new trails on smaller platforms, like smart phones and XBLA."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://legacy.duke4.net/news.php?item.449.4 |title=Our Five-Question Interview with 3D Realms CEO Scott Miller |author=Green |date=April 15, 2011 |website=Duke 4 |access-date=July 5, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330152058/http://legacy.duke4.net/news.php?item.449.4 |archive-date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> 3D Realms did not publish any released titles over the next few years, however.

In June 2013, 3D Realms sued Gearbox for unpaid royalties as well as unpaid money for selling the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property.<ref>{{cite web |last=Narcisse |first=Evan |title=Duke Nukem Creators 3D Realms Suing Gearbox over Unpaid Royalties |url=https://kotaku.com/duke-nukem-creators-3d-realms-suing-gearbox-over-duke-n-513153451 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=August 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729004514/http://kotaku.com/duke-nukem-creators-3d-realms-suing-gearbox-over-duke-n-513153451 |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref> The lawsuit was dropped in September 2013 with 3D Realms apologizing with an announcement that they had resolved any differences they had with Gearbox. In February 2014, Gearbox sued 3D Realms, Interceptor Entertainment and Apogee Software, LLC for developing a new game called ''Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction''. Gearbox stated that it was still the rights holder of the ''Duke Nukem'' franchise, and permission had not been granted by them to develop the game. 3D Realms soon after released a statement admitting its wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-24-gearbox-sues-3d-realms-over-duke-nukem-mass-destruction |title=Gearbox sues 3D Realms over Duke Nukem: Mass Destruction |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=February 24, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009134221/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-24-gearbox-sues-3d-realms-over-duke-nukem-mass-destruction |archive-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref> The lawsuit was settled in August 2015, with Gearbox stressing that it was still the lawful owner of the ''Duke Nukem'' intellectual property.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-19-gearbox-and-3d-realms-settle-duke-nukem-lawsuit |title=Gearbox and 3D Realms settle Duke Nukem lawsuit |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=August 19, 2015 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009134226/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-19-gearbox-and-3d-realms-settle-duke-nukem-lawsuit |archive-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref>

===3D Realms Entertainment===
==== Acquisition by SDN Invest and relaunch (2014–2021) ====

In March 2014, SDN Invest, the part-owner of Interceptor Entertainment, acquired 3D Realms for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-03-interceptor-buys-3d-realms-amid-gearbox-lawsuit |title=Interceptor buys 3D Realms amid Gearbox lawsuit |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=March 3, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=March 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306181638/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-03-interceptor-buys-3d-realms-amid-gearbox-lawsuit |archive-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> Mike Nielsen, the founder and [[chairman]] of SDN Invest, became the new [[chief executive officer]] of 3D Realms,<ref>{{cite web |last=Handrahan |first=Matthew |date=2014-03-03 |title=Interceptor Entertainment acquires 3D Realms |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-03-03-interceptor-entertainment-acquires-3d-realms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220033835/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-03-03-interceptor-entertainment-acquires-3d-realms |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=2020-01-21 |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |publisher=}}</ref> headquartered in [[Aalborg]], Denmark and incorporated in 2015 as 3D Realms Entertainment ApS.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Takashi |first1=Dean |title=3D Realms hires Justin Burnham as chief creative officer to level up action games |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/3d-realms-hires-justin-burnham-as-chief-creative-officer-to-level-up-action-games/ |website=[[VentureBeat]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=March 16, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=3D Realms Entertainment ApS |url=https://datacvr.virk.dk/enhed/virksomhed/36912197 |publisher=[[Central Business Register (Denmark)|Central Business Register]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |language=Danish}}</ref> Miller remained with the company as a creative consultant,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Interceptor buys 3D Realms amid Gearbox lawsuit |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/interceptor-buys-3d-realms-amid-gearbox-lawsuit |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=March 3, 2014}}</ref> while Apogee Software LLC retained the license to the Apogee brand and library.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=3D Realms returns with 32-game anthology bundle |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/3d-realms-returns-with-32-game-anthology-bundle/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=October 23, 2014}}</ref>

In May 2014, 3D Realms announced they were to publish ''[[Bombshell (video game)|Bombshell]]'' by Interceptor Entertainment,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-15-3d-realms-reveals-pc-and-ps4-action-rpg-bombshell |title=3D Realms reveals PC and PS4 action-RPG Bombshell |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=May 15, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=October 6, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602193244/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-15-3d-realms-reveals-pc-and-ps4-action-rpg-bombshell |archive-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref> and in October 2014 the company returned to distributing its own titles with a digital anthology collection.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Matulef |first1=Jeffrey |title=3D Realms returns, releases anthology |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/3d-realms-returns-releases-anthology |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=October 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hing |first1=David |title=3D Realms returns with anthology bundle |url=https://bit-tech.net/news/gaming/pc/3d-realms-returns-with-anthology-bundle/1/ |website=[[Bit-Tech]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=October 24, 2014}}</ref> ''Bombshell'' was released on January 29, 2016, as 3D Realms' first published title since 2005.

On February 28, 2018, 3D Realms announced the game ''[[Ion Maiden]]'', a prequel to ''[[Bombshell (video game)|Bombshell]]'', developed by Voidpoint and using [[Ken Silverman]]'s [[Build (game engine)|Build Engine]]. In May 2019, the company was hit with a $2 million trademark infringement lawsuit by heavy metal group [[Iron Maiden]] who claimed ''Ion Maiden'' was "nearly identical to the Iron Maiden trademark in appearance, sound and overall commercial impression" and was "attempting to trade off on Iron Maiden's notoriety."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |title=Iron Maiden sue video game company for $2m over Ion Maiden game |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/30/iron-maiden-sue-video-game-developers-for-2m-over-ion-maiden-game |website=The Guardian |access-date=4 June 2019 |date=30 May 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604031601/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/30/iron-maiden-sue-video-game-developers-for-2m-over-ion-maiden-game |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2019, 3D Realms and Voidpoint changed the name of ''Ion Maiden'' to ''Ion Fury'' to end to the lawsuit. ''Ion Fury'' was released on August 15, 2019. Since then, 3D Realms published ''[[Ghostrunner]]'' (2020) and announced several projects which have been under development for multiple years without further notice.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-05-3d-realms-announces-graven-the-spiritual-successor-to-hexen-2 | title = 3D Realms announces Graven, the spiritual successor to Hexen 2 | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = September 5, 2020 | access-date = September 5, 2020 | website = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = September 7, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200907154553/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-05-3d-realms-announces-graven-the-spiritual-successor-to-hexen-2 | url-status = live }}</ref>

In April 2021, Miller and Nagy acquired the Apogee name from 3D Realms and relaunched Apogee Software LLC as [[Apogee Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sinclair |first1=Brendan |title=Scott Miller on relaunching Apogee Entertainment as indie publisher |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/apogee-entertainment-relaunches-as-indie-publisher |website=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] |access-date=August 16, 2023 |date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> In 2022, Miller stated in a blog post that he was now uninvolved with 3D Realms and that "[the company] no longer has any link to the past, other than in name only" because he was no longer there to help design and fund games.<ref name="MillerApogeeBlog">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Scott |title=Clearing the confusion about Apogee and 3D Realms |url=https://www.apogeeent.com/devblog/apogee-history |publisher=[[Apogee Entertainment]] |date=January 25, 2022}}</ref>

==== Acquisition by Embracer Group (2021–2023) ====

In August 2021, [[Embracer Group]] announced that they acquired the company through [[Saber Interactive]], which will be the parent company.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=August 4, 2021 |title=Embracer Group acquires 3D Realms, CrazyLabs, Digixart, Easy Trigger, Force Field, Ghost Ship Games, Grimfrost, and Slipgate Ironworks |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/embracer-group-acquires-3d-realms-crazylabs-digixart-easy-trigger-force-field-ghost-ship-games-grimfrost-and-slipgate-ironworks|website=Gematsu}}</ref> 3D Realms  published ''Cultic'' on October 13 (2022).

In March 2023, 3D Realms announced that they hired Justin Burnham (formerly of Devolver Digital, Good Shepherd) to the position of CCO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2023-03-16 |title=3D Realms hires Justin Burnham as chief creative officer to level up action games |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/3d-realms-hires-justin-burnham-as-chief-creative-officer-to-level-up-action-games/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Reboot (2023–present) ====
On September 30, 2023, 3D Realms held its 4th annual Realms Deep event modernizing the company's branding and announcing release dates for several previously unreleased titles. Two days later on October 2, they published ''[[Ion Fury]]: Aftershock'' in collaboration with developer Voidpoint.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Realms Deep 2023 Recap: 3D Realms Reboots with Ion Fury: Aftershock Shadow Drop, Kingpin: Reloaded, GRAVEN, and WRATH Release Dates Revealed, New Titles Announced, and Much More " - Games Press |url=https://www.gamespress.com/nl/Realms-Deep-2023-Recap-3D-Realms-Reboots-with-Ion-Fury-Aftershock-Shad |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.gamespress.com}}</ref> 

On October 24, 2023, 3D Realms published ''Ripout'' into [[early access]] in collaboration with developer Pet Project Games.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Pet Project Games to Release Ripout Into Early Access in October 2023 " - Games Press |url=https://www.gamespress.com/Pet-Project-Games-to-Release-Ripout-Into-Early-Access-in-October-2023 |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.gamespress.com}}</ref> On November 16, 3D Realms published The Kindeman Remedy in collaboration with developer Troglobyte Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Handley |first=Zoey |date=2023-11-16 |title=Gruesome medical management game The Kindeman Remedy is out today |url=https://www.destructoid.com/gruesome-medical-management-game-the-kindeman-remedy-is-out-today/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}}</ref>  

On December 5, 2023, 3D Realms co-published (with [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]]) the [[Slipgate Ironworks]]-developed ''[[Kingpin Reloaded]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Andy Chalk |date=2023-10-02 |title=After 3 years of silence, Kingpin Reloaded resurfaces with a new trailer and a December release date |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/after-3-years-of-silence-kingpin-reloaded-resurfaces-with-a-new-trailer-and-a-december-release-date/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> In mid-December, "at least half" of 3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks was laid off as part of Embracer's restructuring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Jeffrey |date=2023-12-18 |title=3D Realms and Slipgate Ironworks reportedly see layoffs |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/3d-realms-and-slipgate-ironworks-reportedly-see-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> Layoffs continued into January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Justin |date=January 3, 2024 |title=Report: 3D Realms and Slipgate may have been hit with more layoffs |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-3d-realms-and-slipgate-may-have-been-hit-with-more-layoffs |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}}</ref>

On January 24, 2024, 3D Realms co-published (with [[1C Company|Fulqrum Publishing]]) the Slipgate Ironworks-developed ''Graven'' out of early access''.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perrault |first=Patrick |date=2022-10-25 |title=Final Graven Early Access Update Out Now |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/last-graven-early-access-update-is-now-out |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=TechRaptor |language=en}}</ref> On February 27, 3D Realms co-published (with Fulqrum Publishing) the Slipgate Ironworks and Killpixel Games-developed ''[[Wrath: Aeon of Ruin]]'' out of early access.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title=WRATH: Aeon of Ruin launches February 27, 2024 for PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/09/wrath-aeon-of-ruin-launches-february-27-2024-for-pc |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2024, Saber Interactive was sold to Beacon Interactive, a new company from Saber co-founder Matthew Karch. Many of Saber's studios, including 3D Realms, were included in the sale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McEvoy |first=Sophie |date=2024-03-14 |title=Embracer sells Saber Interactive for $247m |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-sells-saber-interactive-for-247m |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>

== Games ==
{{Main|List of 3D Realms games}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://3drealms.com/}}

{{Embracer Group}}
{{3D Realms}}
{{Shadow Warrior}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:1987 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Companies based in Aalborg]]
[[Category:Companies based in Garland, Texas]]
[[Category:Saber Interactive]]
[[Category:Video game companies based in Texas]]
[[Category:Video game companies established in 1987]]
[[Category:Video game companies of Denmark]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]
[[Category:Video game publishers]]