Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Returns mod

This article celebrates 2 years of the 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever leaking out to the community. We delve into the history of this 2001 build, the amazing mods being created around the Duke community with it and much more! Along with introducing our new team, the DNF 2001 Mapping and Modding Team and our new map packs, mods and more for DNF 2001!

Duke Nukem Forever was revealed in the Unreal Engine online in November 1999 and throughout many printed publications December 1999 issues such as this famous issue of PC Gamer. PC Gamer got their hands on the screens for print first, so most other magazines had their reveal in the January 2000 issues like Incite Magazine and PC Accelerator.

The build on display here showcased graphics that were unbelievable and a tone that was mature, not in the original Duke Nukem 3D way, but in a more action thriller scifi horror tone that felt like something entirely new. The look of the game was serious, realistic and very different compared to the original look of the 1997-1998 Quake version fans had seen so far.

Check out the preview of Duke Nukem Forever in PC Gamer below.

Of course these were simple static screenshots, and again it would be a wait before we would see these new updated Unreal visuals in action. It would be almost 2 years later in 2001 at that year's E3 where Apogee/3D Realms revealed a trailer for Duke Nukem Forever that would leave a permanent imprint on fans minds for decades to come. Below is that original trailer, along with a version re-created by fans using the leaked 2001 build to view the trailer in modern resolutions, audio quality and more.

This trailer truly set the tone and expectations for Duke Nukem Forever, but as many know this version of the game was eventually changed and iterated on to what was released in 2011, 10 years after this trailer excited so many fans. The final game did include a few leftovers and story beats, but the 2001 build truly was its own amazing moment in game development history. From breakable glass that rivals most games today, to facial animations that no one was doing at this time, and even amazing details such as interactable screens and monitors we would see in Doom 3 in 2004.

Apogee/3D Realms were truly at the pinnacle of first person shooter gaming at this time, the technology they built upon Unreal Engine 1 with was incredible. However, this version was never meant to be...until May 9th, 2022 when an online group named xOr teased the world with screenshots of the 2001 build, the editor, file folders and more. Even teasing the entire source code being part of it. They teased the world saying it would take some time to release...but it was a final tease to fans as xOr then released the 2001 build to the world the day after on May 10th, 2022.

This weekend marks 2 years since the 2001 build reached Duke fans around the world, creating a moment they never thought possible. To play and explore this 2001 build of Duke Nukem Forever, so let's celebrate!

To celebrate 2 years of the DNF 2001 build and the start of our new team we have 3 map packs ready to launch now! They work with any other version of DNF 2001 even the original leak, so long as you have properly copied the Maps, Music and Textures folders and their contents to where you have DNF 2001 installed. Otherwise our updated build contains these maps and more and can be launched from their spots in the level select menu.

We have created our own custom build of the DNF 2001 project from the original build and the Mighty Foot Productions Open Source update. This build includes:

• 6 new maps (see the map packs below)
• New music, textures and sounds
• Default use of the Matt Wood Model by Colmedy
• Screenshot Series #1-3
• Updated code for gameplay and quality of life features
• And more!

You can download this build at the link below or we have all maps available as individual downloads for you to choose from and use any version of DNF 2001 to play them!

Below we have screenshots and details on what to expect from these 3 map packs that you can play today!

This 3 level map pack has Duke hopping in his boat and taking on the infected EDF over Lake Mead! Finally reaching Hoover Dam for the next 2 levels, where Duke will find the dam overrun with snatchers, infected tourists and even more snatched EDF with even more firepower than ever. This all out inter-dimensional war has begun! To start these 3 maps, select New Game - This is not a boating accident! - "Lake Mead" in the level select.

Nevada's EDF Base is overrun! In this 2 level map pack, Duke arrives by helicarrier to support EDF trying to take back the base from snatched EDF. Its hard to tell who is a friendly and who is infected in what has become all out warfare on the base. Find a way inside the base and help the EDF! To start these 2 maps, select New Game - Ground Zero - "EDF Base Chunk 1" in the level select.

Duke has been able to find a way into the Stratosfear Mall where the main source of the snatchers in Las Vegas has been discovered by the EDF! Traps, snatched EDF and more await Duke inside, it won't be easy getting to the top. In this one level map pack, Duke must make his way through the backrooms to get into the mall itself. To start this 1 map, select New Game - Stratosfear - "Stratosfear Mall Start" in the level select.

We plan to continue the screenshot series and have another one ready for you! Based on the previous work done on the Dam Guide screenshot, we put together another on the same map, this time of the EDF Soldier at the base of the Hoover Dam. This screenshot provided fans with a very close look at the astonishing detail human faces appeared to have in these screenshots from 1999 as seen in the PC Gamer issue earlier in the article.

Check out all 3 entries of the Screenshot Series below with download and article links!

We are a group of dedicated and passionate Duke Nukem fans who have likely watched that 2001 trailer hundreds and hundreds of times, even to this day. The franchise means a lot to us and we have worked with many other Duke Nukem projects before such as the Restoration Project with Mighty Foot Productions, Duke Nukem 3D mods and other first person shooter mods.

The Duke Nukem Forever 2001 Mapping and Modding Team is looking forward to releasing fun and quick maps to the community, both original and new. We are also looking to create some new models and enemies from the earlier 1997-1998 concept art that never made it into any version of Duke Nukem Forever. An example of this is Nega Duke, who had a more punk/metal look with robotic augmented limbs and weapons.

We look forward to a lot of fun and exciting content for us to create and for you to enjoy in the future. Thanks for taking the time to check us out.

Over these 2 years there have been many maps, mods and more created for DNF 2001, below we link to some of the greats such as the Restoration Project, Director's Cut and to DNF Maps where you can find many 2001 maps such as recreations of 3D maps.

Its great to be joining these amazing teams and creators in bringing you 2001 content! Long live the King!