Dune: Awakening Dev Discusses Crafting Arrakis, Survival Gameplay, and What’s Next for the Franchise
An Inside Look at Designing a Survival Game on the Desert Planet of Arrakis
Dune: Awakening, the highly anticipated multiplayer survival game set on the unforgiving desert world of Arrakis, promises to immerse players in a perilous struggle for survival. In this open-world survival game, players must not only fight to stay alive on a planet teeming with danger, but also gather critical resources like water and spice, fend off sandworms, and rise through the ranks to challenge the mighty Imperium itself. What begins as a desperate fight for survival soon escalates into a battle for control over the planet itself.
To explore how the game captures the essence of Frank Herbert’s legendary universe, Game Rant sat down with Dune: Awakening executive producer Scott Junior. From working closely with Frank Herbert’s estate to creating a game that balances survival mechanics with lore accuracy, Junior opened up about the challenges of developing such an ambitious project and how Conan Exiles influenced key gameplay elements. The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Bringing Arrakis to Life: Balancing Survival with Lore
Q: The Dune universe is known for its unique elements, such as the scarcity of water. How did you balance this with survival mechanics in the game?
A: From the start, we made a clear decision to stay true to the Dune lore. The survival gameplay had to reflect the challenges of living on Arrakis—specifically the scarcity of water. Unlike other survival games where you might punch a tree for resources, you can't do that here. There are no trees. Water becomes your lifeblood—something you can’t take for granted. In the early stages, water is a survival pressure that’s essential to keep you alive. But, as the game progresses, it evolves into a resource for crafting and building, helping players move from surviving to thriving. Balancing these phases was challenging, especially in a multiplayer environment where you want both new and seasoned players to feel the tension of scarcity while ensuring long-term progression.
Q: How did working with Frank Herbert’s estate and Legendary Pictures impact your approach to the game?
A: Working with the Herbert estate and Legendary was crucial to staying true to the source material. Their feedback shaped everything from how we introduce iconic elements like the Fremen and ornithopters to ensuring that our depiction of spice and water was consistent with the world that Herbert created. For instance, Legendary helped ensure that our interpretation of the ornithopter, inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s films, aligned with the modern Dune aesthetic while giving it our own twist for the game.
Q: The game doesn’t feature traditional firearms. How did you work around this limitation and stay true to Dune lore?
A: The concept of shields and the absence of traditional firearms is a defining feature of Dune. In the books, shields block high-velocity projectiles, which is why melee combat became so prevalent. So, how do you make a shooter while adhering to these constraints? We created the dart system. Instead of bullets, players use low-velocity projectiles that interact with shields in unique ways. For example, you can hear the dart spinning as it hits the shield, giving players a chance to dodge or evade. This system not only fits the lore but also adds tactical depth to combat, ensuring that it feels both familiar and fresh for players.
Surviving and Thriving in the Desert: Evolving Gameplay
Q: Dune: Awakening is structured around four phases—survive, protect, expand, and control. How does the gameplay evolve across these stages?
A: Each phase presents different challenges and opportunities. Early on, your primary concern is survival. Water is scarce, and the harsh environment constantly threatens your existence. As you progress, you shift from merely surviving to expanding and crafting, using resources like spice and water to build more complex structures, vehicles, and weapons. Eventually, the game’s focus shifts to control—where players build powerful guilds and strive for dominance in the political landscape of Arrakis. This transition not only shifts player objectives but also how they interact with the world and each other.
Q: With water and spice evolving throughout the game, what development challenges did you face in balancing these resources?
A: Balancing resources in a survival game is always tricky, especially when they serve multiple purposes at different stages of the game. Water, for example, starts as a life-or-death survival necessity but eventually becomes a valuable crafting resource. As players reach the endgame, they need vast quantities of water for building and political influence. The challenge was ensuring that new players couldn’t be overwhelmed by veteran players who have stockpiled resources. It’s about maintaining scarcity and value throughout the game, ensuring that every resource is meaningful at each stage.
Post-Launch Plans and Expanding the Dune Universe
Q: What can players expect after the game launches in terms of updates and new content?
A: We have a plan for the first year post-launch, with new features, content, and narrative updates that will expand the story. We’re committed to keeping the world of Arrakis alive and evolving, whether that’s through new locations, quests, or political events. While we won’t be leaving Arrakis anytime soon, we will explore new regions of the planet in the future. Fans of the books will also see us expand on areas like the polar caps or scrublands, which haven’t been explored much in previous Dune adaptations.
Q: How do you cater to different types of MMO players? Some prefer crafting, others prefer combat. How does Dune: Awakening accommodate all playstyles?
A: One of the core principles of Dune: Awakening is giving players the freedom to engage with the game in ways that suit their preferences. Whether you’re a builder, crafter, or fighter, the game provides opportunities to specialize. Early on, everyone has to experience a bit of everything, but as you progress, you can team up with others to focus on specific roles. The guild system also allows for different playstyles to coexist—whether you want to harvest resources, engage in PvP, or work on political maneuvering within your guild. It’s about providing flexibility and allowing players to find their own path to success.
Q: How does Dune: Awakening compare to your previous project, Conan Exiles?
A: While both games share survival gameplay elements, Dune: Awakening is far more focused on lore accuracy and world-building. In Conan Exiles, we took a more broad approach to world design, drawing inspiration from Howard’s works. For Dune, we are deeply committed to capturing the essence of Arrakis, from the harsh desert environment to the political intrigue of the Imperium. It’s about staying true to the Dune IP while creating a fresh, engaging gameplay experience for players.
Final Thoughts: A Lore-Accurate Adventure
Dune: Awakening promises to offer a survival experience like no other, one that is rooted in the rich lore of the Dune universe. By blending survival mechanics with political strategy, the game creates a world where players can truly live on Arrakis, battle for control, and explore the mysteries of the desert planet. Whether you’re a combat enthusiast, a builder, or a political mastermind, Dune: Awakening will allow you to carve out your own destiny on this iconic world.
Dune: Awakening is slated for release in the near future, with post-launch content set to expand the game’s vast world. For now, fans can prepare to take on the challenges of Arrakis, but the true test will be seeing how players survive and ultimately conquer the desert planet.