Bump. Fresh news:
"Report: Duke Nukem at PAX 2010" Arkose: Valve provides mediocre DRM. Sure, it stops games being cracked before of the release date (if I recall correctly), but once the crucial files become available they are fully cracked within about a day. Pirates are impatient, but not so much that they can't wait one day.
This is on top of the dissatisfaction it causes for legitimate customers. Traditionally you'd feel really lucky and excited that you managed to get a copy of a game before anyone else, but with DRM like this your good fortune is rendered meaningless because you have to wait for your region's release date just like anyone else--except your console gaming brethren, of course, who can actually play the moment they have the disc.
"then if DNF is really coming out it does need to be protected, or it will be one of the most pirated games of all time just because of its fame as a vaporware."
What I did meant with protected is protected by online checks, be it Steam's DRM or Ubisoft's DRM or whatever regular method of online check.
I know, Steam is mediocre as DRM, but it's the most accepted and 2K Games already uses it for their upcoming titles.
I'm talking about PC here, don't have the slightest idea of how they do with DNF on consoles as I don't care about them.
StingingVelvet: Also I don't think anyone is trying to stop hardcore pirates who never buy anything, I think they are trying to stop casual pirates who normally don't deal with the hassle.
This.
zero_koop: They should at least release a book detailing this development failure and all the hype surrounding the game. Throw in a bunch of artwork for the game and screenshots and they could at least make some money from the whole mess. The Duke Nukem Forever story is part of gaming history now.
Agreed, man I'd totally buy a book/special edition about it.