For once, the apparently wild rumours were true. Duke Nukem Forever, the legendarily elusive game that apparently died along with developer 3D Realms when it closed its doors last year, really is back on track, and currently being finished off by Gearbox Software.

At this year's Penny Arcade Expo, publisher 2K Games revealed that the game, trapped in development hell for a dozen years, was finally on the way - and just in case visitors were in any doubt, there were even playable demos to  prove it.

2K president Christoph Hartmann is, unsurprisingly, delighted about Duke's return.

"All great things take time... a lot of time," Hartmann said in the game's announcement press release. "After a hiatus from the video game world, Duke Nukem is back and better than ever. The return of the King from the glory days of shooters will satisfy our patient, die-hard fans, as well as a new generation of bubble gum-chewing, flat top and shades-wearing bad-asses. Make no mistake about it - Duke Nukem Forever is a testament to the era of when shooters were bodacious and fun."

News of Duke Nukem Forever has only just broken, so expect a more in-depth reaction next week, along with screenshots and footage if we can get it.

Distressingly, a firm release date still hasn't been set - let's just hope it doesn't take another 12 years to finally get our hands on the finished game...