Gearbox: Broussard spent $20-30m of own cash on Duke Nukem Forever

Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford has provided some insight into how much former Duke Nukem Forever developer 3D Realms may have spent on the long-delayed game.

3D Realms collapsed in May last year, having spent over a decade apparently developing the shooter sequel. Gearbox announced last month that it would finish development on the project, for release next year.

"George [Broussard] is not a poor man," said Pitchford to CVG of the 3D Realms co-founder, also his long-term friend and former colleague, "but I would estimate that he lost 20 to 30 million dollars of his own money on Duke Nukem Forever.

"I don't care who you are, that's a hell of a lot of money. He was committed to Duke to the point of insanity. He decided he would rather have it burn that have a bad version of the game come out."

This figure refers only to what Broussard spent personally on the game; the total sum spent by 3D Realms itself and by any partners and investors remains unknown.

Pitchford also revealed that Broussard referred to 3D Realms' closure as "the worst day of my life."