Had the stars aligned, 3D Realms’ oft-delayed shooter Duke Nukem Forever was scheduled to have gone gold today on April 1, 2010. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan, as financial woes led the studio to lay off a bulk of its development team. Subsequent legal threats from publisher Take-Two has left efforts to continue the project at a standstill, devoid of funding.

May be hard to believe, but this is not an April Fools joke. Former Duke Nukem Forever producer Jason Bergman confirmed the studio’s intentions via Twitter:

MOMENT OF SILENCE PLEASE: by the 3DR/TTWO development schedule, April 1st, 2010 was supposed to be the day Duke Nukem Forever went gold. :(

Further, in a ShackNews comment, Bergman vowed that the tweet was “not an April Fools gag.” Aw, shucks. It’s a real shame the deadline was missed. Here’s hoping 3DRealms work their magic and find a way to get the franchise back on its feet. We just won’t be holding our breaths waiting for it to happen.

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Read more: 2K Details Duke Nukem Forever: Balls of Steel Edition,  Duke Nukem: Forever Finally Dated May 3rd,  Duke Nukem Forever Campaign 16-18hrs Long,  Duke Nukem Forever Reaches “Milestone” In Development,  2K Games To Publish Duke’s Latest