Dune: Awakening Stays True to the Legacy of the Books and Films
Developers Ensure a Faithful Adaptation of Arrakis in Upcoming Multiplayer Survival Game
The Dune franchise, originating as a series of novels by Frank Herbert, has grown into a vast intellectual property with a deep and expansive universe. From literature to film, television adaptations, and video games, it has captivated audiences for decades. Now, the upcoming multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening aims to deliver an original story set on Arrakis, while staying true to both Herbert’s novels and Denis Villeneuve’s recent film adaptations.
In a recent interview with Game Rant during a visit to Oslo, Norway, executive producer Scott Junior shared insights on how the development team collaborated with both Legendary Entertainment and Herbert’s estate to ensure that the game faithfully represents the Dune universe.
Faithfulness to Books and Films
Junior explained that Legendary Entertainment played a significant role in shaping the game’s development. Both teams worked closely to ensure that Dune: Awakening’s depiction of Arrakis aligns with the portrayal seen in Villeneuve’s films. One key decision was to avoid including Fremen and their sietches in the game’s initial launch, as Villeneuve had already introduced them in his films. Junior also highlighted how the design of the iconic ornithopters and the musical score—reminiscent of Hans Zimmer’s work—were inspired by the films, further enhancing the immersive experience.
However, Junior clarified that the game’s team did not have early access to the HBO series Dune: Prophecy, which aired in December 2024. “I just saw it for the first time in December with everybody else,” he said. Despite this, he expressed interest in potentially incorporating elements from the series, particularly regarding the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, in future updates.
Navigating the Challenges of Lore Accuracy
Maintaining Dune’s lore accuracy presented several unexpected challenges for the development team. One of the key issues was integrating firearms into the game. Large-scale guns are rare in the Dune universe due to the influence of the Holtzman shields, which block fast-moving projectiles. To solve this, the team worked closely with the Herbert estate to devise a system that uses darts instead of bullets, ensuring the gameplay remained faithful to the universe.
“How do you make a shooter that works within the Dune universe, where you can’t have guns? You need a way to incorporate shooting, so we came up with a dart system,” Junior explained. These low-velocity projectiles offer a unique gameplay element, where players can hear the sound of a projectile interacting with a shield, providing a warning to dodge in both player-versus-player (PVP) and player-versus-environment (PVE) combat. This mechanic, Junior noted, wouldn’t have been possible if they had used standard bullets.
The Benefits of Staying True to the Lore
While the challenges of staying true to Dune’s lore were evident, they ultimately worked in the game’s favor. The dart system, born out of necessity, added an additional layer of strategy and immersion to the gameplay. Fans of Dune will appreciate how the game’s attention to detail brings the iconic world to life, blending familiar elements with innovative new mechanics.
As the development team continues to refine their vision, Dune: Awakening promises to offer a truly immersive experience for long-time fans of the series. By collaborating closely with Frank Herbert’s estate and Legendary Entertainment, they’ve created an Arrakis that remains faithful to the original source material and films, while introducing fresh and original elements for players to enjoy.
With Dune: Awakening set to launch in late 2025, players will have the chance to fully immerse themselves in one of science fiction’s most enduring and beloved universes.