In context: It has been some time since a brand new sci-fi franchise took the world by storm, however 2021’s Dune reboot actually hit that mark. After incomes greater than $400 million on the field workplace (with a finances of simply $165 million), Dune has unfold its affect to the gaming trade, courtesy of developer Funcom’s unique partnership with Legendary Leisure.
Whereas movie-licensed video games haven’t got the very best popularity within the gaming trade (traditionally talking) Funcom has confirmed they know what they’re doing with Dune: Spice Wars. Spice Wars first launched into Early Entry in April as a 4X technique title set in, you guessed it, the Dune universe. The enduring planet of Arrakis, to be particular. In Spice Wars, gamers take management of one in all Arrakis’ 4 factions — Home Atreides, Home Harkonnen, The Smugglers, and the Fremen — in a vicious battle for supremacy.
If technique video games aren’t your cup of tea, although, do not surrender hope on the gaming facet of the Dune franchise. Funcom introduced a completely new challenge at Gamescom yesterday: Dune: Awakening. Like Spice Wars, Awakening will happen on Arrakis, however not like Spice Wars, the sport will probably be an open-world survival MMO.
The challenge sounds formidable, to say the least. The official steam web page guarantees to supply an enormous, seamless model of Arrakis shared by “1000’s of gamers,” although it does not specify whether or not these gamers will probably be cut up throughout a number of servers or not.
The Steam retailer web page additionally hints at camp and “fortress” development, some form of stillsuit upkeep characteristic, sandworm assaults, and the flexibility to deploy your personal harvester to assemble Dune’s spice. You will battle it out with different gamers on foot, in autos, or take to the sky in Dune’s iconic hummingbird-like ornithopters. Apparently, you’ll be able to even make your personal faction and unlock “highly effective skills” by way of the consumption of spice.
Like we stated, Dune: Awakening sounds fairly formidable — and, if the common MMO launch is something to go by, maybe an unimaginable recreation to make on launch. It isn’t unusual for epic-scale survival video games, or MMOs basically, to launch in a feature-light state after which enhance over time. We aren’t saying that would be the case right here, however some skepticism is at all times warranted with video games that make huge guarantees pre-release.
Funcom hasn’t introduced a launch date but, or revealed any gameplay footage. To date, we simply have a thematic trailer by which a stillsuit-equipped man (and fan of spice, judging by his eye colour) leaps towards an rising sandworm and an internet site with a pair items of idea artwork.
You’ll be able to join Dune: Awakening’s beta on the Dune Video games web site, if you want. Hopefully we’ll all be taught extra about Awakening someday subsequent yr, on the newest.