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Here is a brief introduction for those who need to become more familiar with the Dune universe. The story begins with the book's creation, published in 1965 and written by Frank Herbert. The novel is about the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, with a hostile and mysterious native population known as the Fremen.
This article will examine games based on the Dune franchise, including an unreleased one.
Dune (1992 - 2001)
Dune (1992)
Company: Westwood Studios
The game is an exciting blend of real-time strategy and adventure. Players immerse themselves in the Arrakis desert and battle for control of the planet. Players in Dune encounter familiar characters, locations, political intrigue, and mythology elements.
In the game Dune, you assume the role of Paul Atreides, the main character from the first book in the Dune series, and play on behalf of the House of Atreides faction. You aim to battle other factions, including the Harkonnens and Fremen, for control over the planet and emerge as the most powerful faction.
Dune II (1992)
Company: Westwood Studios
It is one of the earliest real-time strategy (RTS) games and a significant milestone in the history of video games. It was highly successful and laid the groundwork for Command & Conquer.
In the game Dune II, players take on the role of a commander belonging to one of three factions: the Atreides, the Harkonnens, or the Order of Sardaukar. The game is set on the desert planet of Arrakis, where the objective is to compete for control over a valuable resource called Spice, also known as Melange.
Dune 2000 (1998)
Company: Westwood Studios
It is a remastered version of the classic game, "Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty". This version features enhanced graphics, interface, and additional gameplay features while still maintaining the fundamental mechanics of the "Dune" series. Players must manage resources, build bases, and engage in real-time tactical battles to win.
In the game, the player can control one of three factions: the Atreides, the Harkonnens, or the Order of Sardaukar. However, despite the various improvements made to the game, its AI behavior and poor waypoints still need to be improved. These issues could have been more problematic for fast-paced online multiplayer games.
Emperor: Battle for Dune (2001)
Company: Westwood Studios
Emperor: Battle for Dune is a game where players battle for control of the planet Arrakis as one of three factions - the Atreides, the Harkonnens, or the Order of Sardaukar. Each faction has unique units, technologies, and abilities that impact the gameplay and strategy.
The game added new features, including a 3D engine and in-battle reinforcements, which changed pace. However, the game's AI could be better, and the computer-controlled player's attack strategy is predictable and can be countered easily. The game's poor AI also requires players to combine units of different abilities, as missions can only be won by building a specific combat unit.
Frank Herbert's Dune (2001)
Company: Cryo Interactive
It is a 3D action game that is based in the Dune universe. The game's missions follow the storyline of the original novels and are set during the two years in which Paul gains the trust of the Fremen.
The game's objective is for Paul Atreides to gain control of Arrakis and navigate through political intrigue, power struggles, and conflicts.
Dune Generations (2001, canceled)
Company: Cryo
The company could not reach an agreement with its creditors, failing to negotiate a deal; the game was canceled following the closure of Cryo in early 2002.
The game's objective would be to establish your dynasty as the most dominant family in the universe by taking over the planet Arrakis. The planet is the primary source of the universe's most valuable substance - Spice. Players would have the option to choose from three different dynasties - traders, soldiers, or mercenaries - each offering a unique gameplay experience.
Dune (2022 - 2025)
Dune: Spice Wars (2022)
Game: Dune: Spice Wars (2022)
This game was released on April 26, 2022; it is a real-time strategy game where players can immerse themselves in the mysterious desert world of Arrakis. The game features several factions that have unique abilities. Players get the opportunity to manage troops, build entire armies and new cities, and fight for control of resources on Arrakis.
The game creates a dynamic and lively environment due to Arrakis changing over time depending on the player's actions and the events passed in the game. All player decisions have long-term consequences.
Dune: Spice Wars Gameplay
As for Spice, it can be used for diplomacy and trade, and to maintain a position in the Landsraad, a player must pay the tax after a certain number of game days. If you don't pay, the number of votes available will decrease. The Landsraad meets every few weeks, and the player can choose which projects affect the game and which factions to support or oppose.
Dune: Spice Wars Factions
In-game factions are House Atreides, House Harkonnen, The Smugglers, The Fremen, House Corrino, and House Ecaz.
- House Atreides has a stellar reputation, primarily attributed to its leader's commanding leadership style. The leader is known to be firm yet honorable and fair. The Atreides have recently been granted the stewardship of Arrakis by imperial decree. They have a lot of work to do to take over from the Harkonnens.
- Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is a confident leader of House Harkonnen, renowned for their strategic prowess and cunning nature.
- The Smugglers walk a fine line between being full-fledged bandits, and Esmar Tuek walks that line deftly. Smugglers can provide anything to anyone if they set a price and don't look too closely at the details.
- The Fremen are the sole native inhabitants of Arrakis and are willing to take any necessary measures to safeguard their way of life from outsiders. Liet-Kynes, their leader, may not have been born on Dune, but she is just as committed and devoted to the planet as any other Fremen.
- The Imperial House of Corrino has ruled the galaxy for ten millennia. Shaddam IV is determined to maintain their reign. However, the conflict on Arrakis requires the direct involvement of the Padishah Emperor. Using his intelligence and his administration's resources, the emperor plans to shift the tides of war in his favor.
- House Ecaz is a well-known house that has made a name for itself in the tourism industry, recreational medicine, and the arts. However, behind this alluring facade, the house and its ruler, Archduchess Armanda, are known for their cunning and effectiveness in protecting their interests.
Dune: Spice Wars also features a multiplayer mode where players can battle each other. The most exciting thing about the game is that players can negotiate diplomatically and form alliances.
The game has recently set a new record for the number of players. You can check out the details on Steam Charts between March 3 and March 5, 2024. An add-on was released on March 7, 2024, and you can find more information about it here. The developers have also announced the first DLC for Dune: Spice Wars, House Vernius of Ix. It is available for purchase from March 1, 2024.
Dune: Imperium
Game: Dune: Imperium
The board game Dune: Imperium, set in the iconic universe of Dune, requires strategy and intrigue to control the Spice. Dire Wolf released the game on November 14, 2023. It is a strategic game that combines deck building and worker placement mechanics to determine the fate of the Imperium through your decisions.
The game offers single-player and online PvP modes, cross-platform multiplayer, and Steam achievements. During the Early Access phase, the developers put effort into improving the user experience and AI behavior and preparing for cross-platform play. Moreover, they introduced competitive features such as tournaments and events. The Dune: Imperium game is available for $11.99 on Steam.
Dune: Awakening
Game: Dune: Awakening (upcoming 2024)
The game takes place in 10.199 A.D., about eight years after the events of the movie Dune 2021, but in the game, the story will follow a different path than in the film. Leto Atreides is still alive in the game, and this change is quite significant, as he didn't live that long in the original timeline. But if he is alive, what could that mean for Arrakis and House Atreides?
Funcom has recreated a quarter of the world that Frank Herbert invented in the book series. The game will have many dungeons to explore, including the ancient underground Ecology Labs seen in the Danny Villeneuve film Dune (2021).
As for survival elements, players will face sandstorms, quicksand, and high desert temperatures. The game also has sandworms, so the player must be vigilant to navigate the desert safely. The player will have to get resources from which he can make tools that will allow him to craft the necessary items. While moving around the map, you can use various vehicles to move on land and in the air.
Dune: Awakening Gameplay
The battles in the game look like action with different types of melee and ranged combat, as well as with vehicles, and there are energy shields in the game (dangerous to use in the desert, as they attract worms).
In Dune: Awakening, joining guilds that correspond to different families on the planet Arrakis will be possible. The competition, however, is in combat and the economy, which utilizes Spice. The reagent is mined in the desert or found in ancient underground laboratories. This resource can be changed, sold, collected, or used to get new abilities, but what kind - still needs to be discovered.
Dune: Awakening Trailer Fragment
There has yet to be an exact release date, but we hope to see it in early access in 2024. Dune: Awakening is being developed for P.C., PS5, and XBOX Series S.
Similar Universe Games
Command & Conquer
Westwood Studios was a video game development company, Louis Castle and Brett Sperry, established in 1985. The studio specialized in real-time strategies and role-playing games and was renowned for developing Dune II and its proprietary Command & Conquer series. Dune II was a huge success, laying the foundation for the coming Command & Conquer series.
Tempest Rising
Tempest Rising, reminiscent of the Command & Conquer series and other RTS games, is not yet released but is coming soon. Players can try a Demo version on Steam while we wait for the upcoming release.
Summary
Here, we discussed the most popular games of Dune's universe, starting from the plot and ending of upcoming games. The Blix.gg team hopes that this article was informative. Frank Herbert has created a masterpiece that people will watch for generations.
