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New Dune strategy game revealed, called Dune: Spice Wars

A new 4X strategy game based on Frank Herbert's Dune is coming to Steam Early Access in 2022.
Dune Spice Wars

A new strategy game based on Dune, the sci-fi series created by Frank Herbert and recently adapted into film by Denis Villeneuve. Revealed at The Game Awards 2021, Dune: Spice Wars will be a real-time strategy game with 4X elements. It’s developed by Shiro Games and Level Infinite, and published by Funcom.

It will feature asymmetrical gameplay, which seems like a natural design decision given the vast differences between the sci-fi world’s vastly different factions. Having 4X elements (which incorporates elements of Exploration, Expansion, Exploitation, and Extermination) gives you an idea as to what you might be doing in the game.

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A series of screenshots shows off elements of military management, as well as an element of higher-level strategic management. It also appears to show off some diplomacy. Take a look:

This isn’t the first video game adaptation of Dune – Westwood Studios (of Command & Conquer fame) was responsible for Dune II in 1992, and is cited as one of the earliest examples of a real-time strategy game.

There are other adaptations – most of them strategy games – but none were as well received. Here’s hoping that Dune: Spice Wars has some interesting ideas.

Dune: Spice Wars will come to Steam Early Access in 2022, which suggests that player feedback will shape the game’s final form.

Edmond was the founding managing editor of GamesHub. He was also previously at GameSpot for 13 years, where he was the Australian Editor and an award-winning video producer. You can follow him @EdmondTran