Dune: Spice Wars, a brand new game set in the beloved Dune universe, is available now in early access. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including gameplay, maps, and more.
Following the success of the critically acclaimed movie, interest in the Dune universe has never been higher. Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya starred in the sci-fi epic based on Frank Herbert’s classic series of novels, exposing a new generation to the classic franchise.
If you left the theatre itching for more Dune, then it looks like you’re in luck. As part of the many new announcements at The Game Awards 2021 was Dune: Spice Wars, a new real-time strategy game based on the series.
Here are all the details.
Contents
Dune: Spice Wars Trailers
Announcement Trailer
Gameplay Trailer
Dune: Spice Wars platforms
Dune: Spice Wars is only available on PC during the early-access phase. However, developer Shiro Games hinted that they will consider exploring the possibility of making a console version with optimized controls.
Dune: Spice Wars release date
Dune: Spice Wars launched on Steam via early access on April 26, 2022. Shiro Games estimate it will remain in early access for around 9-12 months, with a full release expected to happen sometime in 2023.
The developers have two goals in mind. They want to make the game accessible while staying true to the essence of Frank Herbert’s work, and they want to make the game unique with interesting features and compelling gameplay.
Dune: Spice Wars gameplay
In the same vein as previously games set in the Dune universe, Spice Wars is a 4X real-time strategy game. For those uninitiated, 4x refers to the four key aspects of these kinds of games; explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate.
Players can take control of one of Dune’s factions (four at launch) and battle to control the planet Arrakis. In Dune lore, Arrakis is home to the most important resource in the universe – Spice.
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Both House Atreides, led by Duke Leto, and the Harkonnen, led by the brutal Baron Harkonnen, are available as playable factions. Fremen, who are native to Arrakis, and The Smugglers, led by Esmar Tuek, are available now too.
The aim of the game is to best your opponents by deploying a number of tactics. You can use political negotiations to get the upper hand, send spies to keep track of enemy progress, or simply crush them in combat.
As is the case with all RTS titles, there are elements of managing resources to build units and make advancements.
During its stint as an early access title, Dune: Spice Wars is set to receive a number of new features. The major ones confirmed by devs are a whole campaign, a multiplayer mode, and the addition of more playable factions.
Dune: Spice Wars maps
All the maps featured in Dune: Spice Wars are procedurally generated. Players are free to change various features of the maps, including size, wind strength, and how aggressive the series’ trademark sandworms will be.
Sections of deep sand work as blocks, much like water in similar strategy games, and players have to develop technology to help navigate them. Alternatively, players can also build ships to fly over barren land.
There you have it, that’s everything we know so far about Dune: Spice Wars. We’ll be updating this page will any new tidbits of information, so be sure to check back here for the latest news.
For updates on other upcoming titles, check out some of our other pages:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 | Hogwarts Legacy | Forspoken | Assassin’s Creed Infinity | Hollow Knight Silksong | Sonic Frontiers | Evil Dead: The Game | God of War Ragnarok
