Dune is currently a highly sought-after property, largely due to Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptations of the Frank Herbert novel. It was only a matter of time before video games based on the series emerged, and Funcom has chosen to create an MMO as their main platform.
Building a game in the MMO genre is exceptionally challenging. These games require a constant stream of popularity to survive and are extremely costly to maintain. Therefore, developers must have a highly engaging concept in order to commit to developing an MMO.
Thankfully, Dune falls into this category. The recent surge in popularity of sci-fi epics has been a perfect lead-up to the reveal of Dune: Awakening, which appears to be revolutionizing the storyline originally created by Herbert.
Dune: Awakening trailer
The initial story-based trailer for Dune: Awakening was unveiled at the Summer Game Fest in 2024. This trailer offers players a more intimate glimpse into the Dune universe they will experience in the game. It is important to note that this particular timeline differs from the one portrayed in the main book and film series.
Dune: Awakening Platforms
In a unique deviation from other games in its genre, Dune: Awakening is set to release on consoles. The title will follow the same structure as Elder Scrolls Online and will be accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC, though it is currently unknown if it will be included in the Game Pass library at any time.
Dune: Awakening Gameplay
According to Joel Bylos, the creative director of Dune Awakening, the game is primarily focused on survival. Players must navigate the harsh environment by finding water, shelter and being cautious of sandworms. Additionally, the game can be played online with a large community of players.
The footage that has been released thus far offers a glimpse of the intentional design of the visuals, which align with the style of the films. Furthermore, the game will incorporate mechanics for both ground and aerial vehicles, as well as third-person shooting and combat.
Dune: Awakening Story
The primary premise of this game is set in the Dune universe without the existence of Paul Atreides. Lady Jessica, his mother, follows orders and gives birth to a girl, effectively eliminating any possibility of Muad’Dib, Lisan al-Gaib, or Kwisatz Haderach.
The impact of this would greatly alter the course of events in Arrakis and beyond. Specifically, this could be devastating for the newly revived Fremen, and it appears that House Atreides remains a significant presence in this iteration of Herbert’s story.
The game is currently cycling through closed beta and play tests, with no release date announced as of yet.
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