Dune: Spice Wars is finally putting an end to the two-decade drought of strategy games set in Frank Herbert’s universe. Developed by Shiro Games, of Northgard fame, and published by Funcom, the title sees players battling for control of Arrakis, in what will hopefully feel like a long-awaited homecoming when its release date occurs.
The title’s announcement also benefitted from the hype surrounding 2021’s Dune movie, whose success brought the universe into the spotlight once more. Although there’s still a bit to go until we’ll actually get to play it, here is everything we know about Dune: Spice Wars, including details about its release date, factions, gameplay, and more.
Dune: Spice Wars Release Date
Dune: Spice Wars’ release date is currently expected to occur on April 26, 2022, when the game will first become available in Steam Early Access.
Its early access phase is planned to last between 9 and 12 months, the developer nonetheless noting that “there’s no rush,” given how it wants “to ensure that whenever the final release may be, the game is exactly where it needs to be.”
Dune: Spice Wars Story
At the moment it’s unclear, if Dune: Spice Wars will have an actual story or if players will have to create their own as they conquer Arrakis.
Nevertheless, the presence of characters like Duke Leto, Gurney Halleck, and Duncan Idaho suggests that the game will be set during the same time period as the first book.
Dune: Spice Wars Gameplay
Interestingly enough, Dune: Spice Wars is labeled as a “real-time strategy game featuring 4X elements.” The developer explains that players can expect slower-paced gameplay than in most real-time strategy titles alongside the option to pause and speed up time.
Elements such as “exploration, territory control, economic growth, combat, politics and spying” help make it a “true 4X game” without detracting from the RTS side of things.
You’ll have to handle your faction’s politics and its relationship with others, both large and small, as well as find trade partners and manage resources.
You’ll also have to take into account things like wind strength and sandworm activity. Navigating the planet’s expansive deserts will be hard at first, but a network of airfields and specific technologies can improve your ability to cross it.
Base building is also a gameplay element in Dune: Spice Wars. While you won’t be able to manually choose the locations of structures, they will be added to your main base.
Conquest is, naturally, a big part of the game, each playable house coming with its own special units. Multiplayer and a full campaign are also expected to come in updates throughout its early access period.
You can learn more by giving our Dune: Spice Wars hands-off preview a read.
Dune: Spice Wars Factions
Dune: Spice Wars will enter Steam Early Access with 4 playable factions. House Atreides and House Harkonnen were revealed when the game was announced, the Smugglers and Fremen following later.
House Atreides stands out thanks to its “unparalleled political power.” Led by Duke Leto, the faction has an easier time winning the confidence of other major and minor houses while employing tough but expensive units.
House Harkonnen favors underhanded tactics such as manipulation, torture, and blackmail. Led by Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, its armies are made up of expendable and fanatical soldiers.
The Smugglers gradually extend their reach on Arrakis by infiltrating their opponents’ villages and profiting from their infrastructure. Esmar Tuek leads them, while the faction’s armies excel at eliminating vulnerable opponents and reducing enemy supplies.
The Fremen rely on guerilla tactics and their knowledge of quickly navigating the desert in their fight to remove imperial influence from Arakkis. With Liet Kynes at its help, the faction’s units resupply less often and can successfully hold their own against a superior force.
Players can choose between two of four councillors – all of them important figures from the first book – that improve various aspects like political influence, combat proficiency, or spying capabilities. Its units are expensive but tough.
Dune: Spice Wars System Requirements
Minimum
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i5 2.5 GHz or AMD equivalent
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVidia GTX 1050 or AMD equivalent
- Storage: 4 GB available space
Recommended
</li>
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS: Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3 GHz or Intel equivalent
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVidia GTX 1080 or AMD equivalent
- Storage: 8 GB available space
Where can you buy Dune: Spice Wars and how much does it cost?
Dune: Spire Wars will be available on PC, via Steam Early Access, at least at first. It remains to be seen if the game will arrive on other storefronts or platforms at a later date. It will initially cost $29.99/€29.99 or your regional equivalent, but this price may change during Early Access.
Dune: Spice Wars Trailer
Keep updated on the latest PC Gaming news by following GameWatcher on Twitter, checking out our videos on YouTube, giving us a like on Facebook, and joining us on Discord. We may also include links to affiliate stores, which gives us a small commission if you purchase anything via them. Thank you.
