Give Us Dune RPG at Last! This Setting is Perfect Material

Frank Herbert's Dune is born out of a fascination with space, Joseph Campbell, and the influences of the 1960s. Mysticism, madness, and grand ideas all find a place here, with the entire concept revolving around houses (that have grown to the size of planets, duchies, empires, and baronies), battling over a globe that serves as a cultivation field for a drug. Therefore, the audience receives a lethal combination of themes and visuals that have been inspiring creators since the novel was first released. Sects, factions, political scheming, ideas so acidic that they can dissolve other works of pop culture. Screen adaptations, whatever they were, always proved the visual potential of Herbert's universe.

So please explain to me how on earth the only thing players received are strategy and survival MMOs? This world is just begging for genres like RPG, action adventure, soulslike... or some combination of the above. In any case, a game that will allow you to both visit planets and traverse the absolute depths of Arrakis or Caladan.

Report on the state of Dune

This is the source from which both Star Wars and Warhammer 40K (and probably about 20 other universes on the border of SF and fantasy) draw their ideas, so it's no wonder that Dune has contributed to the development of pop culture in general and gaming in particular. Finally, it was the later releases of Dune by Westwood that solidified the RTS genre, and even the final installment of the series, Emperor: Battle for Dune, contrary to opinions, presented a few interesting solutions and a fantastic atmosphere. The success of Denis Villeneuve's film adaptation sparked interest in the brand, which coincided with the premiere of Dune: Spice Wars, ideal for 4X fans.

The last time we received a truly high-quality narrative experience was in... 1992 -- from Cryo. It was born in pain and with little conviction from the publishers. For years, the industry believed in the dogma of Dune as an RTS, like Stilgar in Muad'Dib.

The movie Diune provided an unforgettable spectacle -- when will the games do the same?Source: Diune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve, 2024.

I even understand this safe assumption. Herbert very cleverly constructed his universe. On the one hand, it seems inspired, full of mysticism and strange visions, it also doesn't lack social commentary. On the other hand -- right from the beginning it was perfect for a game adaptation. Dune is ultimately about war and the great jihad.

Various factions, groups, and houses are involved in the conflict. Visual diversity and intriguing units are already evident in novels and films. Costumes, sets, and decorations that practically invite you to play with them as if they were figurines being moved around a battlefield. It simply happens on its own, at most seasoned with some fictionalized scenes.

Don't get me wrong, these are excellent or very good games that had their moment of glory, but firstly, it's difficult to be innovative in the RTS segment, and secondly -- how much is there to do? And besides, it's a waste of a great universe. The industry is only now recovering from the long-standing belief that future Dune games must concentrate on a tactical or global-strategic perspective. But again, the market is playing it too safe. Survival MMO - no matter how ambitious it may seem - is all the devs are capable of? I understand that the adventures of Paul Atreides and the Fremen provide the perfect inspiration for a survival game. In the end, the desert of Arrakis, particularly its southern region, is a true inferno and barren land for the resilient.

Nonetheless, Herbert's world offers much more, and we won't extract the atmosphere of reflections on war, meditations on the paths that humanity's fate takes, or mystical visions from a game about crafting in desert conditions. There are better genres to guide us around Arrakis. Here are my two, quite related, choices.

Dune as an action RPG

It goes without saying. I think you would also like to play. If there is a method best suited to convey the monumental vision captured by the films, as well as the human side of Herbert's story, it's through a properly financed action RPG. Taking the best of Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, and Mass Effect. It should use the movie license to make advantage of these fantastic visuals that Denis Villeneuve's team has created and brought to life.

A game like this could reimagine Paul Atreides' journey in an alternative way, but it might be better to explore an epic side story of someone from a lower or middle rank. Someone who was affected by the consequences of the struggles of the Atreides, Fremens, and Harkonnens. It's better for the story to focus on people striving to find their way in a world shaped by the decisions of powerful houses and the influence of the Bene Gesserit.

A party must be gathered before venturing forth.Source: Diune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve, 2024.

This is, after all, a system that writes itself. Houses to choose from? Plenty, because alongside those crucial to the plot movies, a multitude of groups are present in the book. Classes? Take your pick. Soldiers, desert warriors, diplomats, smugglers, mentats, and Bene Gesserit agents. Each of them can be pulled in and crushed in the gears of war.

It would be best to have something that evolves gameplay in the style of Mass Effect -- perhaps focused on one planet, perhaps on several, but it should be a third-person RPG with a close-knit team. Third-person -- necessary to admire all these armors, uniforms, and costumes of clans or military formations in all their glory. Of course, besides the elaborate story, fashion shows, and exploration of these monumental lands, combat would also be crucial. Dune is, after all, a war story. The situation is particularly interesting because there is a significant focus on close combat for a sci-fi. I believe we would have many tactical options -- as well as opportunities to put on a great spectacle.

Dune Souls?

I know. I would make a Soulslike out of everything, including Tetris. A more courageous and possibly more affordable choice than an RPG with a million directed dialogues would be a well-balanced soulslike game. The challenge is huge, but also tempting.

First, such a... "Dune Souls" is an opportunity to show how harsh and inhospitable Arrakis is -- without the need to resort to survival mechanics. Second, not many SF soulslike games have been developed so far. In theory, we have two installments of The Surge, Jedi Fallen Order partially meets the criteria, and an adaptation of The Lord of the Ice Garden is also on the way. However, the issue is that The Surge is essentially more post-apocalyptic, while space in The Night Wanderer is represented by a slightly alien-looking planet that incorporates elements of earthly cultures from the Middle Ages, antiquity, and modern times. Dune is pure science fiction, but at the same time unique. And exceptionally suitable for a soulslike.

This could still be a game that focuses on sword fighting. After all, the fate of the world is decided here by means of fancy swords and knives (behind which, there are intrigues stretched over generations...), as in the time of King John. If only King John had snorted a line of spice and had energy shields, along with the assistance of Bene Gesserit witches. This universe is a perfect fit, especially if we select a moment of decline, such as the one depicted in all of Herbert's books, where the Fremen holy war has already consumed everything possible, and the Golden Path set by Leto II didn't work out (this is again a somewhat alternative assumption, but if we insist on it to create a survival game, why not consider it as a soulslike).

Imagine this -- as one of the last Fremen or deserted warriors of a particular tribe, you embark on a perilous journey. Not to save anyone, but to clean up the mess. To eliminate the monstrous sandworm hybrids (come to think of it, we fought such a fight with Rykard in the Elden Ring...), to end the Bene Gesserit, to finish off the greedy representatives of the houses. Spice serves as an ideal substitute for souls, as a currency-idea that we need to collect in order to develop. Observing the movements of the opponent is fundamental to the philosophy of dueling in Dune. I admit that Paul in the Fremen suit sometimes looked like a character from Dark Souls. And a sandworm as a Souls-like, gimmicky boss -- that would be something.

Ocean of spices, sand, and possibilities

Remember, these are only my ideas. You surely have your own -- we would love to read about them in the comments. And if any developer dares to draw inspiration from the madness of Alejandro Jodorowsky's canceled Dune (there are conflicting wolves inside me, one finding it tempting and the other protesting), it could revolutionize the world. This world.

Dune deserves video game adaptations that offer a new perspective on Herbert's universe, different from that of a strategist or builder. From a more human point of view and a great, sometimes even overwhelming adventure, which will transform us. After all, Arrakis is a harsh place -- but also capable of unlocking incredible possibilities. It's high time to show this in new ways.