Proto:Duke Nukem 3D (PC)/Computer Gaming World Demo
This is a sub-page of Proto:Duke Nukem 3D (PC).
The Computer Gaming World demo is a Duke Nukem 3D prototype that was included with an issue of the Computer Gaming World magazine. It is a slightly modified version of the 1.1 shareware version. Its files were last modified on March 4th, 1996, a mere 16 days after the v1.1 shareware was released.
While the actual gameplay is the same as v1.1, the CON files inside the prototype contain stuff that is much more interesting.
General
Boot Up Screen
This prototype contains a unique boot up screen that warns that the demo should not be in any other publications besides Computer Gaming World and a message to read LICENSE.DOC for information about changes. The player must also hit a key in order to continue the boot-up sequence, unlike the final game.
Duke3d.grp
The Duke3d.grp is the same as the one used in the v1.1 shareware version. However, it contains a new DEFS.CON, GAME.CON, and USER.CON that are included with the rest of the files when unzipped.
LICENSE.DOC
LICENSE.DOC contains additional sections pertaining to how the CGW demo can be used and distributed. The header has also been changed to specify that it is for the CGW demo.
additional_text.txt
The CGW demo's installer contains some text not seen in other versions of the installer.
With special thanks to FormGen and, in particular, to Mark Shander, we are delighted to bring you a Duke Nukem 3D demo made exclusively for CGW and our readers. Thanks, Mark! Duke Nukem 3D In addition to advancing the state of the art of 3D action games with sloping surfaces, underwater combat,
wonderful explosions and politically incorrect gratuitous violence and sex, DUKE NUKEM 3D has the richest environment of any of the so-called DOOM clones.
Its true 3D engine enables greater freedom of movement, including crouching, looking up or down, jumping, swimming and flying.
There are good sound effects and amusing digital audio quips like, "Who wants some?," and "Holy @#%*!" The screen size, resolution, gore and cheesecake can be scaled to suit your taste and system performance. See the whole report from Ken Brown in the Hands On section of the April magazine. To order your copy of Duke Nukem 3D (the boxed version, expected to ship by the time you receive this demo) call, the toll-free number 1-888-FormGen. INSTALLATION Duke Nukem 3D can be installed from either Window 95 or from DOS. To install the demos, simply click on the INSTALL button.
This will install the files to your hard drive (usually C:) in a DUKE3D directory. From DOS, type: SETUP at the DUKE3D directory to begin the demo. If you install from Windows 95, the installation may be relegated to the task bar. Click on it and the installation will proceed normally.
Playable Levels
Only Hollywood Holocaust (E1L1) can be played in this prototype, even though the level files exist for the rest of the shareware episode and Red Light District (E1L2) can be seen in the viewable demo.
Press F1 for help
Oddly, this prototype lacks the "Press F1 for help" image that appears when starting a new game that the other shareware versions of the game have.
Exit Screen
The exit screen contains an additional message stating that the player has just played a one level demo of Duke Nukem 3D.
| CGW demo | Other shareware versions |
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Weapons
CYCLOID (Devastator)
The prototype's CON files contain references to a weapon called "CYCLOID". In DEFS.CON, this weapon's pickup sprite, ammo and first person sprite take the exact same positions that the final's Devastator does, meaning that the CYCLOID is a prototype version of the Devastator. This makes the CGW demo the first prototype to feature the Devastator.
The name for the weapon seems to come from the fact that the Devastator behaves the same as the Cycloid Emperor's primary attack.
Freezethrower
This prototype marks the first appearance of the Freezethrower, though it can only be found in the CON files.
In the CGW demo, the Freezethrower is a bit stronger than the final's, doing 35 damage per projectile instead of the final's 20.
Enemies
Sentry Drone
The Sentry Drone first appears in this prototype's CON files.
Bosses
Cycloid Emperor
The Cycloid Emperor makes his first appearance in this prototype, replacing the DUMMYDUKE bosses from the previous prototypes.
He has 2,500 health instead of the final's 4,500.
Overlord
The Overlord first appears in this prototype, but has an interesting difference. His attack code lets him either shoot rockets or shoot bullets. In the final game, he can only shoot rockets.
His ability to fire bullets in this prototype matches a pre-release screenshot of the Overlord with two guns mounted underneath his stomach in addition to his rocket launchers.
He has 2,000 health, compared to the final's 4,500. This seems to be a leftover from the BOSS3 character seen in previous prototypes, as the Overlord uses BOSS3 as his internal name.
Pre-release screenshot showing an unused Overlord design with two guns underneath him, which matches the cut bullet-firing mode in the CGW demo.
Items
Space Suit
Several bits of code for the Space Suit have been cut in this prototype (which are also missing in the final game), suggesting it was removed around the time this prototype was compiled.
Shrinker Ammo
Shrinker ammo pickups still gives only 1 round of ammo instead of 5.
CYCLOID (Devastator) ammo
Ammo pickups for the CYCLOID (Devastator) give 10 rounds of ammo per box, while the final's Devastator ammo pickups give 15 rounds per box.
Freezethrower Ammo
Freezethrower ammo boxes gives 24 rounds instead of 25.
