The upcoming Dune: Spice Wars has revealed how its 4X and RTS combination will work for players. Dune: Spice Wars was announced during The Game Awards 2021 following the success of the latest Dune movie. The game comes from Funcom and Shiro Games, and is expected to launch on PC in Early Access sometime this year.
Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game that will see players control many factions and Houses known from the Dune universe, including House Harkonnen and House Atreides. Users will have to seek control of the powerful resource spice, relying on almost any means to meet their goal while striving for dominance over the desert planet of Arrakis. The game will blend open combat with political elements, with players needing to rely on their subterfuge and political influence to succeed. The new Dune game is expected to improve on previous releases with both its gameplay and world, with further details still to be announced.
As revealed in a press release, Shiro Games has confirmed how Dune: Spice Wars' RTS and 4X gameplay combination will work. Described on Steam as a "real-time strategy game with 4X elements," Shiro Games explored what that means in an FAQ, stating that the game falls into both of these categories. According to the team, the game is real-time, but "the pace is slower than in a typical RTS." Dune: Spice Wars will feature pause and fast-forward time mechanics, alongside features typical of a 4X game. Shiro explained:
"The game also features exploration, territory control, economic growth, combat, politics and spying, features that make it a true 4X game but do not detract from the RTS experience."
Dune: Spice Wars' blend of 4X and RTS gameplay develops on earlier games based on the franchise such as 1992's Dune II. The classic game wasn't the first RTS hit, but it did help cement how the genre would work for years to come, and its influence is still seen to this day. 4X adds more political elements to gameplay, something that is relevant to the turbulent political landscape of Dune.
The next video game look into Frank Herbert's beloved sci-fi world is sounding promising, with Dune: Spice Wars seemingly staying faithful to the universe and its lore. By mixing 4X and RTS elements, the resulting game should offer a challenging and complex real-time empire-building success, something that is likely to be helped with its Early Access testing. Entering Early Access means players should be able to offer their feedback as the game's development continues, which should help to perfect its gameplay. Those looking for more news on Dune: Spice Wars can follow its development on Steam, where they can also wishlist the game today.
Dune: Spice Wars will release on PC in Early Access sometime in 2022.
Source: Steam