Hollywood

Lore & Background

Hollywood in the *Duke Nukem* universe is a glitzy, over-the-top parody of the real city, designed as a playground for Duke's brand of macho heroism. The level in *Duke Nukem 3D* presents a condensed version of the district, with landmarks like a movie theater (now showing *Alien vs. Duke*), a soundstage housing a giant alien prop that suddenly starts shooting, and a fast-food joint called Duke Burger—whose menu includes the 'Meltdown Melt' and 'Radioactive Shake.' The aliens have transformed the area into a staging ground, using the film industry's infrastructure—cranes, catwalks, and green screens—for their invasion.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of the Hollywood sign flickered, casting long shadows over the deserted boulevard. Duke kicked open the door of a trashed souvenir shop, a cigar clenched between his teeth. 'Time to give these alien directors a bad review,' he muttered, racking his shotgun. The roar of a Pig Cop echoed from the Grauman's Chinese Theatre replica, and Duke grinned. The show was about to begin—and these extraterrestrial extras were about to get their final close-up.

Reader's Guide

Hollywood is the second episode's first level in *Duke Nukem 3D*, a sprawling outdoor and indoor map that showcases the game's interactive environment. Players navigate streets, a movie studio backlot with a giant alien prop (which, if shot, triggers a hidden ambush), and the Duke Burger restaurant—where the fryer spits out health pickups. The level is known for its secrets, including a hidden room with a stripper and a reference to *The Terminator* (a crushed skeleton under a hydraulic press). It serves as a transition from the urban warfare of Los Angeles to the more fantastical alien bases of later levels. The area is dense with enemies, including Assault Troopers, Pig Cops, and the first appearance of the Octabrain—whose psychic blasts can ruin your day if you don't find the jetpack early. The map's design emphasizes verticality and exploration, rewarding players who search for jetpacks and armor behind dumpsters, in projection booths, and atop billboards. Culturally, it cemented Duke's persona as a pop-culture icon, blending action movie tropes with first-person shooter gameplay.

Did You Know?

• The Hollywood level in *Duke Nukem 3D* was originally intended to be part of a larger city hub but was cut down to a single map.
• The Duke Burger restaurant in the level is a parody of real fast-food chains and features a menu board with humorous items.
• The level includes a secret area that recreates a famous scene from the movie *The Terminator*.
• Hollywood is one of the most modded and recreated levels in the *Duke Nukem* community, appearing in various fan projects.