3D Realms

Credits

Descriptions by
Logophile

Captures by
Prodigy012

Editions by
Michael Kenchington

Background

3D Realms was originally a brand name of Apogee Software, a Texas-based video game publisher founded in 1994 to produce games in 3D. The first game to be released under the brand name was Terminal Velocity, but is best known for the Duke Nukem series. In 1996, with its developers focusing more on 3D games, the Apogee name would be phased out in favor of 3D Realms (the Apogee name would return in 2008, albeit with a different company). In 2009, the company had some setbacks, involving the development of the infamous Duke Nukem Forever, with lack of funding and staff cuts. In September 2010, Take-Two Interactive Software shifted production of the game to Gearbox Software (however, 3D Realms still shares a credit in making the game).

In March 2014, Danish holding company SDN Invest acquired 3D Realms, and relocated its headquarters to Aalborg, Denmark. The company was sold to Embracer Group subsidiary Saber Interactive in August 2021 and later it was acquired by Beacon Interactive since March 2024, and most of the company's games are now produced for smaller gaming platforms, such as Xbox Live and mobile devices.

1st Logo (April 7, 1995-2015)

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Visuals: On a black background are the stacked words "3D REALMS". They appear to be made of stone in yellow with blue sides. The "R" and "S" are taller then the other letters in "REALMS". The "3" faces the left and the "D" faces the right.

Variants:

• In the early days, the company's slogan "REALITY IS OUR GAME" appeared underneath.
• On Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition, the logo appears on a steel plate and also appears differently. The name is in the same style as before, but this time in 2D and "3D" is not stacked together.
• Sometimes, "PRESENTS" is underneath.
• On Max Payne, the logo is in black and white with "produced by" above that.
• Starting in 1997, the logo gained an updated look, looking more rocky in its appearance.
• On Duke Nukem 3D on the Xbox Live Arcade, lighting is behind the logo.

Technique: A still, computerized graphic.

Audio: None, or the music from the game.

Availability: This was the most widely used 3D Realms logo and shouldn't be too hard to find. Appears on Duke Nukem 3D (and its console ports), Terminal Velocity, Blood and Shadow Warrior.

2nd Logo (September 30, 1998)

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Visuals: On a black background, the 3D Realms logo stretches outwards to the right. It eases back and rests in the middle of the screen.

Technique: Computer animation.

Audio: A humming sound which then turns into a 2-note electric guitar tune with Duke Nukem (voiced by Jon St. John) uttering one of his catchphrases, "Come Get Some!"

Availability: Only appears on Duke Nukem: TIme to Kill for the PS1.

3rd Logo (September 19, 2000)

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Visuals: On a black background, a light flashes, then a gold radioactive symbol (a logo used for the Duke Nukem series) flies out from the screen. The "3" and "D" quickly fly in from left and right onto the symbol, which explodes and "REALMS" appears below. The logo then has a beaming wipe effect. It then shines itself away to the camera, leaving a light before fading out.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The first part of the Duke Nukem theme on guitar, with an explosion when the nuclear logo blows up, and a whoosh is heard when "3D REALMS" shines itself away.

Availability: Like before, this makes an appearance on only one game: this time, Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes for the PS1.

4th Logo (July 11, 2006)

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Visuals: On a black background with white and blue lighting, the screen scrolls down the 3D Realms logo and eases back. After the logo is in the middle, the lighting dies down into a blue glow (a la New Line Cinema) behind "3D REALMS".

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A whoosh sound is heard.

Availability: Only seen on Prey (2006) for PC.