Dune: Spice Wars Debuts Trailer at TGAs
Funcom just announced an upcoming 4X RTS title set in Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. Dune: Spice Wars will be the first game in the Dune IP published by Funcom. The company emphasized that speculators should not confuse it with the open-world survival game under development.
The announcement mentions that, beginning next year, players will be able to conquer the planet for themselves. Dune: Spice Wars releases into early access on PCs, but Funcom has yet to announce a specific date. Created by the same team behind Northgard in 2017, it will feature several different playable factions, each vying to conquer the planet. Every faction has its own strengths and weaknesses, giving you great replayability. Their ultimate goal is to control the spice trade. Use a variety of different approaches from diplomacy to tech supremacy and, if nothing else, flat-out open war.
“The Dune universe is the perfect setting for a strategy game. You have major factions, such as House Atreides and House Harkonnen, with a rivalry that spans back centuries. You have political intrigue, deception, and warfare, all centered around what is by far the most valuable substance in the universe: Spice. And then there is the stage itself, Arrakis, a hostile planet full of hidden wonders to explore. Massive sandworms that can devour entire armies, sandstorms, spice harvesters, all of which our amazing team of developers have incorporated into this game.”
Sebastien Vidal, CEO Shiro Games
Developer Shiro Games previously developed Northgard, which released in 2017 to critical acclaim. Based in Bordeaux, France, it is an independent studio that “strives for excellence” and “makes bold decisions on a daily basis.” Other titles by the studio include Evoland and sequel Evoland 2.
Funcom’s other titles include modern MMORPG Secret World Legends, Conan Exiles, Anarchy Online, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, and the upcoming Dune: Spice Wars. The Oslo-based independent developer and publisher has been around since 1993.
Check out Dune: Spice Wars and many others at The Game Awards and its official site.
