Dune: Awakening - Forging a New Path in the Sands of Arrakis

Adapting a beloved fictional universe into a living, breathing online game is a daunting task, fraught with challenges. However, Funcom, the Norwegian developer behind Anarchy Online and Age of Conan, has taken on the ambitious project of bringing the world of Frank Herbert's Dune to life in their upcoming survival MMO, Dune: Awakening.

Crafting a Unique Dune Experience

Reimagining the Dune Timeline

Recognizing the inherent difficulties in adhering to a set canon while creating an evolving online world, Funcom, in collaboration with Frank Herbert's estate and Legendary (the producers of the Dune movies), has made the bold decision to establish an alternate history of Arrakis. In this reimagined timeline, the pivotal character of Paul Atreides is never born, as his mother, Lady Jessica, chooses to have a daughter instead. This shift in the narrative opens up a power vacuum, allowing players to feel like the true heroes of their own stories as they navigate the ongoing conflict between the Houses Atreides and Harkonnen.

Exploring the Mysteries of the Fremen

The Fremen, the desert-dwelling inhabitants of Arrakis, have long been a central part of the Dune mythos. In Dune: Awakening, Funcom has chosen to place them at the heart of a narrative mystery. According to Imperium propaganda, the Fremen have been wiped out, but their abandoned dwellings, rites, culture, and spirituality remain for players to uncover. This narrative thread promises to be a captivating draw for players, who will be tasked with searching for the missing people and uncovering the truth behind their disappearance.

Diverse Character Progression and Gameplay

The character creation process in Dune: Awakening offers players a unique opportunity to shape their journey. Depending on the mentor they choose, players will gain access to different abilities, such as the ability to scan enemies and objects for information (Mentat mentor), the power to use the Voice to compel characters (Bene Gesserit mentor), or a defensive stance (Swordmaster mentor). This diverse approach to character progression allows for a high degree of customization and encourages players to explore different playstyles.

Immersive Multiplayer Experience

Dune: Awakening is designed to deliver a truly immersive multiplayer experience. Unlike a single-server, single-map game, the title will group multiple maps and servers together into "worlds" of thousands of players, who can organize themselves into guilds. The starting area, Hagga Basin, supports a minimum of 40 players per server, but the social hubs and the Deep Desert, the game's endgame area, promise to host "many, many hundreds" of players engaging in player-versus-player combat, spice harvesting, and a complex political system.

Bringing the Dune Universe to Life

Dune: Awakening's ambitious approach to adapting the Dune franchise into a living, evolving online game is a testament to Funcom's experience and the collaborative efforts of Frank Herbert's estate and Legendary. By establishing an alternate timeline, delving into the mysteries of the Fremen, and offering a diverse range of character progression and gameplay, the developers aim to create a Dune experience that is both faithful to the source material and uniquely captivating for players. As the game prepares to showcase its live gameplay at Gamescom, the anticipation for Dune: Awakening's release continues to build, promising an immersive and engaging journey through the sands of Arrakis.