What is Spice?
In the Dune universe, spice is a highly valuable and sought-after substance known as melange. It is a mysterious and unique substance found only on the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Melange is a type of drug and spice that has various effects on the human body, including enhanced longevity, heightened awareness, and limited prescient abilities. It is also a critical element in interstellar travel, as navigators use it to fold space and navigate ships through the vast universe. The control and distribution of spice are central to the political and economic dynamics of the Dune universe.
Dune: Awakening’s foundation is constructed upon five primary gameplay principles that cleverly form the acronym S.P.I.C.E.
S – Survival
P – Politics and intrigue
I – Infinite exploration
C – Combined arms combat
E – Expression and customisation
Let’s look at each in turn…
Survival. Dune: Awakening is a survival MMO. There are three fundamental pillars of survival that players must consistently consider: shelter, sandworms, and water. Carelessly traversing the expansive sand dunes will inevitably draw sandworm attention, aligning with the lore of the Dune books and necessitating perpetual vigilance in movement. Seeking refuge or constructing shelters becomes imperative during the fierce desert sandstorms. Naturally, water remains an ongoing worry in the vast desert expanse, but players won’t face instant death should they neglect water levels or find themselves lacking shelter.
Politics and intrigue. In Dune: Awakening player with align themselves with one of the many factions on Arrakis, the renowned Fremen, Atreides and Harkonnen Houses. As players rise through the ranks and gain power they can become a Minor House and form alliances with one of the major players.
Infinite exploration. In an interview, Creative Director Joel Bylos suggested that, “there’s infinite exploration, which is one of the things I’m most excited about due to how the world changes over time. We have a concept called the Coriolis storm. When it sweeps across the landscape, the sands shift revealing new points of interest and hiding others, making the game renewed every week.”
Combined arms combat. Combat in Dune Awakening includes ground vehicles, air vehicles, melee, and ranged arms. Funcom’s ‘Combined Arms’ mechanism aims to flawlessly incorporate diverse forms of combat. It features an array of ground and aerial vehicles, including the beloved ornithopters, available for piloting and engaging in offensive maneuvers. Alternatively, one can remain on foot and wield an assortment of melee and ranged weapons.
Expression and customisation. Bylos has stated that, “expression and customisation is really more than just talking about the visual expression and customisation which of course we have, armour sets and clothing and a robust character creation but in addition to that its really about play the way you want to play. You want to be a trader you can do that you want to be a fighter of course you can do that if you want to be a spy maybe that is the gameplay you are looking for.”
Dune: Awakening beckons with its ever-evolving world, a symphony of elements where adaptation and exploration intertwine, etching tales amidst the dunes. You can wishlist Dune: Awakening on Steam.