3D Realms, developer of Duke Nukem Forever, has been shut down, according to a report by Shacknews.

The gaming site said Wednesday evening that a "very reliable source close to the developer" has confirmed that the studio has been shut down, and employees let go, due to "funding issues."

Shacknews has not yet received a statement from 3D Realms, but got a statement from Apogee Software and Deep Silver, developers of the upcoming* Duke Nukem* handheld games, that said they were "not affected by the situation at 3D Realms."

This, of course, confirms that there is indeed a situation.

__Update: __Duke publisher Take-Two has commented on the situation, saying that its relationship with 3d Realms "did not include ongoing funds for development of the title." (Note the past tense.)

Finally, 3d Realms webmaster Joe Siegler said on the company's forums: "It's not a marketing thing. It's true. I have nothing further to say at this time."

In development since 1997, Duke Nukem Forever has become the game industry's longest-running piece of vaporware by a good country mile, winning many Wired.com Vaporware Awards. Could this be, at last, the death of Duke?

Image: 3D Realms

Duke Nukem Developer 3d Realms Shuts Down [Shacknews]*

*