This is, without a doubt, a huge rumor but if it's true it could signal the completion of a game that's been in development for well over a decade. Kotaku is reporting through unnamed sources that development of Duke Nukem Forever is underway again but not at the first person shooter's original home of 3D Realms. Instead the story claims the game is in the hands of fellow Dallas-based developer Gearbox Software.

Just a recap: 3D Realms spend a ton of time and money to make Duke Nukem Forever but disputes with the game's publisher Take Two Interactive forced lawsuits between the two companies and the shut down of the game's dev team at 3D Realms in May 2009. The legal issues between the two companies were settled earlier this year but details about the settlement were not revealed. One thing that did come up in the lawsuits was that Gearbox was working on a separate spin-off game, Duke Begins, that was halted when the issues between Take Two and 3D Realms begin in 2009.

Reps from Take Two and 3D Realms would not comment on these latest rumors but Gearbox head man Randy Pitchford said he may be able to say something to clarify the issue at this year's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle in September. Could PAX finally be the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel that is Duke Nukem Forever's development? Stay tuned.