The upcoming game Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is highly anticipated among fans of the Dune series. Based on the famous books by Frank Herbert, this game aims to capture the essence of the universe and lore like never before, going even further than the recent movies.
In a recent interview, the developers at Funcom revealed some interesting details about their approach to making the game, which sets it apart from other adaptations.
Dune: Awakening Developers Chose Authenticity Over Generic Design
One of the standout quotes from the interview comes from Matt Woodward, the Social and Economic Director of the game. He shared:
We’re hoping, in terms of accessibility, that is going to translate to players who are new to gaming. Maybe they don’t know the [gaming] tropes, but they will see things like a skill tree and know how it works on Arrakis.
He further added,
They can think, ‘Oh, well, you know, there’s some people here. I guess I should probably be able to kill them and then suck blood out of their body.’ Yeah, you can do that! We’re hoping that along with tutorials and accessibility and all this kind of stuff, we will give players a way into [the game], even if they’re not familiar with the gaming tropes.
He also shared that the team isn’t just slapping a Dune label or skin on a standard game template. Instead, they are diving deep into the lore and trying to build something that truly feels like it belongs in the books’ universe, mixing it with MMO and survival mechanics.
The developers are working hard to make the game accessible to new players, even those who might not be familiar with common gaming mechanics, and not just the more complicated stuff. They mentioned wanting players to understand the game’s systems naturally, using the world of Arrakis itself to teach them.
Staying True to the Source Material
The dedication to authenticity doesn’t stop at the gameplay mechanics. The developers are also making sure that the world of the books is represented as accurately as possible. One of the key features they are focusing on is the survival aspect. In the game, surviving Arrakis’ harsh environment is a core part of the gaming experience.
Players will have to deal with the dangers of the desert, from the deadly sandworms to the scarcity of water, just as was represented in the books and the recent two movies.
This focus on survival is something that is deeply rooted in the lore. In the books, the inhabitants of Arrakis have to be extremely resourceful to live in such a harsh environment. By making survival a central theme, the game stays true to the source material and offers players a genuine Dune experience, pleasing both fans of the books as well as newcomers.
The game also promises to include a rich storyline that fans of the series will definitely appreciate. The team is working closely with the Herbert Estate to ensure that the storylines and characters feel authentic. They want players to feel like they are part of the world, not just playing a game set in it.
Are you looking forward to Dune: Awakening? Let us know in the comments.
