Summary
Debuting in the 1960s, theDunefranchise has been around for a long time and has seen a wealth of adaptations over the years, including in the world of video games. There have beensixDunevideo gamesover the last three decades, one of which is often credited with establishing the blueprint for the real-time strategy genre. And whileDune: Awakeningis trading out its predecessor’s RTS approach for third-person MMO action gameplay, its developers are undoubtedly hoping it can be just as influential.
Set for release on PC in 2025,Dune: Awakeningwill put players in the Stillsuit boots of a prisoner who’s just landed on the desert world of Arrakis with nothing but the clothes on their back. Players will need to forge alliances with fellow players as well as the main houses of theDuneuniverse to make a prosperous life on Arrakis. But achieving that is much easier said than done. To get into the houses' good graces, players will need to prove they hold power. And the best way to hold power on Arrakis is by controlling the mysterious Spice Melange, whichDune: Awakeningputs front and center.
Spice is Power in Dune: Awakening
Why Spice is Important in the Dune Universe
InDune, Spice Melange– often abbreviated to just Spice – is one of the most powerful resources in the entire galaxy. An orange sand-like powder, Spice Melange is a narcotic that increases the user’s awareness exponentially, to the point where it grants some individuals Prescience, which is the ability to see into the future. These select few often end up becoming Navigators for the Imperium’s starships, with Spice allowing them to tap into their Prescience and determine the safest route through space. Though he already had some level of Prescience, inhaling Spice Melange regularly allowed Paul Atreides to see thousands of potential futures at once.
But a key fact about Spice Melange is that it’s only available on Arrakis. So, while Arrakis is essentially a wasteland, its Spice makes it one of the most valuable planets in the galaxy. He who controls Arrakis controls Spice, and he who controls Spice controls the galaxy’s ability for spaceflight. This power struggle is what fuelsDune’s main conflict.
How Dune: Awakening Is Incorporating Spice Into Its Gameplay
Spice is a vital part of theDuneuniverse, and thankfully,Dune: Awakeningis making it a key part of its gameplay loop. In its recentgameplay reveal at Gamescom Opening Night Live,Dune: Awakeningshowcased some of its key features, such as flying an Ornithopter, building bases, taking down enemy encampments, and joining forces with important houses like the Harkonnens. This trailer also gave some insight into Spice’s role inDune: Awakening’s gameplay.
Towards the end ofDune: Awakening’s gameplay trailer, it’s revealed that hundreds of players can be scouring Arrakis' deserts for Spice at once. When a Spice-Blow eventually appears, players in the surrounding area will seemingly be notified, with a large cloud emanating from the ground and reaching into the sky. According to the trailer, this could lead to an all-out war for the Spice contained within the cloud, with different guilds and many different players all wanting the valuable resource for themselves. Players will need to hold their ground and eliminate every other interested party to get their hands on the Spice, and that’s presuming a sandworm doesn’t get called in to end the party early.
