Arrakis—Dune—Desert Planet. After two film adaptations, a TV miniseries, and a few different games, it’s time to set foot back on that harsh planet once more. Source of spice, the lifeblood of the Empire, it’s a place where legends are forged and destinies are carved out of the very dunes themselves. Wars, intrigue, and mysterious prophecies abound, all centred around spice and dreams of a future messiah.
In Dune: Spice Wars we’re heading to Arrakis to get immersed in the fractious, deadly rivalry between houses once again. With a new film sweeping up awards and a 21 year gap in-between Dune games, it’s definitely the right time to get dusty.
What is Dune: Spice Wars?
Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game which will see you take control over one of four factions as you vie for control of the most important planet in the known galaxy. This isn’t just your standard strategy game, however, as intrigue and 4X elements are deeply embedded in the DNA of the game, allowing you to play your faction in a way that suits your goals and your playstyle.
From open warfare to backstabbing and economic control, there are many ways to the top in Dune: Spice Wars. It’s all about the spice though, that mysterious substance that prolongs life, gives visions, and is the only way to travel faster than light. Whoever controls the spice, controls the universe, after all.
Explore the surface of Dune, expand your territory, exploit resources by harvesting spice, and exterminate your foes to become ruler of all. However, always bear in mind that Arrakis is a deadly place even without human intervention, always keep your eyes to the horizon for wormsign. You never know when Shai-Hulud is about…
Dune: Spice Wars Release Date
Dune: Spice Wars will be entering Early Access from April the 26th, meaning if you can’t wait to dive into some sci-fi strategy then you won’t have to wait long.
Developers Shiro Games estimate that the Early Access period should last between 9 and 12 months, so keep an eye on the game as it evolves over this period into the full, final game.
New Faction: Fremen
In addition to the release date, Funcom and Shiro Games have announced a new faction. The Fremen are inhabitants of Arrakis not aligned with any great house or smuggling ring, they exist in perfect symbiosis with the planet, hoping one day to transform it into a green Garden of Eden.
The Fremen are also renowned as deadly fighters, Arrakis is a planet that is almost impossible to survive in so those who thrive there have learned to fight for every breath. In the novels, the Fremen are considered more than equal to the Imperial elite troops, the Sardaukar.
The addition of Fremen to Dune: Spice Wars means that not only will there be multiple choices in how to play the game depending on your goals and strategy, but there will also be four very different choices to make at the outset.
Check out more information about the Fremen over on the official news update.
Check out Dune: Spice Wars at Green Man Gaming
If your palate has been sufficiently whetted for a bit more Dune, why not head over to our store to take a closer look at Dune: Spice Wars including trailers, gameplay details, and much more. Just remember that the spice must flow, otherwise the Emperor will be very unhappy indeed.
