Dune: Spice Wars: FAQ reveals new details about the strategy

This year we finally get a new strategy game in the Dune universe. But what exactly awaits us with Dune: Spice Wars? Some expect a complex global strategy game à la paradox, others expect a straightforward desert tank battle in the style of a Dune 2. The announcement was still open to some questions, so the developers have now published an English-language FAQ. In it, they stress again the genre: Dune: Spice becomes a real-time strategy game with 4x elements . This means you play in real time, but the pace is noticeably slower than in other RTS games like Dune 2 or Home world: Desert of Shark. In addition, numerous other game elements are added, which go well beyond a classic, combat-oriented real-time strategy game.

Here we summarize all findings from the English-speaking FAQ for you:

• Real-time strategy with 4x elements
• Under 4x, the developers understand, for example, exploration, area control, economic growth, fight, politics, diplomacy, resource management, trade and espionage.
• The gameplay can be paused at any time or accelerate,
• No classic basic construction. Instead, you can add buildings to specific places and bases (e.g., Ar rake for the Abrades) buildings that can not be placed manually.
• The game was newly developed from the ground up, no items from Northward will be recycled.
• Four houses will be playable to the launch of the early access versions, Abrades and Harmonies are already confirmed. In the course of the Early Access phase, a fifth group will be added, later than follow more.
• Has Or dos is not planned for the current state, as it is not mentioned in Frank Herbert's books (the or dos will be described for the first time in The Dune Encyclopedia). Frank Herbert's novels form the basis for Dune: Spice Wars.

Dune: Spice Wars should be much bigger and ambitious than Northward, even the playing time is expected to be two to three times so long. Although developers have to know and play all video and board games around Dune, Dune: Spice Wars is an independent title with its own approach. But one admits that you let yourself be inspired by other games here and there. The maps are randomized and can vary over different parameters. Deep deserts serve as marginal zones, which can only be traversed with certain research and technologies. The colorful, almost comic ha's graphic style was a conscious decision: the colorful look should ensure that the sight of a (undoubtedly fabricated) desert will not be boring even after many hours.

• A multiplayer mode is firmly scheduled, but should follow only at a later time in the early access. First, you want to tighten the basic gameplay.
• Even a single game campaign will not be included with the early access start, it will be submitted later via update.
• Mod support is not yet planned, but the developers keep open to the opportunity, if the fans will register here.
• There are currently no DLC plans. At a later date, LCS may appear, but the developers do not want to worry about it.
• Fun com is not involved in the development, but only takes care of publishing and marketing. Dune: Spice Wars is implemented exclusively by Shirt Games.
• Dune: Spice Wars will start in the early access phase this year. In addition to Steam you want to consider other distribution platforms in the next few months.
• The price has not yet been determined

Dune: Spice Wars is of course also included in our annual view, where we have summarized the most important PC highlights for 2022. In a December update, the developers also published a small making-of-video in which they talk about their approach and also a little on the graphic style. You have the opportunity to look the team about the shoulder. The video we have linked here for you.

Are you looking forward to Dune: Spice Wars, or would you rather wish you an RTS in the style of Dune 2, Dune 2000 or Emperor? Write us your opinion!

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