Highlights
- Dune's success sparks new content like Dune: Prophecy and Dune: Spice Wars, but video games have untapped potential with the IP.
- Previous Dune games stuck with strategy, telling original stories that didn't wow. Video games should explore prequel novels for unique experiences.
- Games could delve into major warring houses, the Butlerian Jihad, and Leto's story. Video games offer a new way to expand the Dune universe.
Thanks to Denis Villeneuve, Dune fever has begun sweeping the world as moviegoers flock to its sci-fi world. Because of its success, there seems to be no shortage of Dune content on the horizon, with the likes of Dune: Prophecy coming to Max and a third film likely in the future. Additionally, the video game market is trying to get its hands on the IP through titles such as Dune: Spice Wars and Dune: Awakening. While all of that could be a lot of fun for fans of the sci-fi epic, video games could do so much more with the concept.
As of now, the major video games released are mostly original tales set within the universe of Dune. There is nothing wrong with telling original stories, as that can really help give IPs so much life. However, there are also countless books that explore every single corner of this universe, and the majority of them will likely never be adapted. Or if they are, it will be years before fans get to see any of it. So, instead of waiting that long, it may be time for video games to step in.
Dune: Awakening Will Be Missing an Important Feature at Launch
Dune: Awakening's developer Funcom explains why the game will be missing an important feature at launch that fans know from the movies and books.
Dune Has Immense Potential in the Video Game Landscape
Dune Video Games Have Not Realized That Potential
There have been many video games over the years that have messed around in the Dune universe, yet none of them have really blown audiences away. The first official licensed title came in the form of 1992's Dune adventure game. That simply put players in the shoes of Paul Atreides and let them experience their own version of the first novel. That same year, Dune 2: The Building of a Dynasty would put an RTS spin on the Dune franchise, and it would seemingly never look back.
1998's Dune 2000 would serve as a remake of Dune 2, so it would once again be an RTS. 2001's Emperor: Battle of Dune would end up being an RTS follow-up to Dune 2000, which meant that it continued to tell a mostly original story. Shortly after, players once again explored Paul's story in the 3D adventure game Frank Herbert's Dune, but it proved to be a commercial flop. So, the franchise went back to the strategy landscape for its next outing in 2022's Dune: Spice Wars. And now, all eyes are on Dune: Awakening to see if it can succeed in bringing the IP to the survival genre, yet that also means it is another original story.
The Frank Herbert Prequel Novels Could Give Players Extremely Unique Experiences
The Dune video games have mostly stuck with the strategy genre, and have really only told original stories. While that has led to some fun experiences over the years, it may be time for studios to branch out a bit. Specifically, they should be able to take some of the novels for a spin. The main movie series will likely be the home for any Frank Herbert adaptation, but video games could breathe life into some of the better Brian Herbert adventures if given the chance.
It is no secret that the Brian Herbert Dune novels have been a bit controversial with the fanbase, so it does not seem like Warner Bros will rush to adapt them. So, in lieu of that, video games could take them for a spin to help further build out this sci-fi franchise. Fans would probably love to see the earlier days of the major warring houses, they may be enthralled by the tales of the universe-spanning war against the Butlerian Jihad, and they might even want to learn more about Paul's father Leto. Even if these stories may not match up to the original series, they could still be great settings for video games.
These games could take on many forms, with some having the chance to take Dune to new heights. RTS and strategy games may be fun, but it feels like the perfect time for the series to explore something new. Additionally, as Warner Bros. tries to expand the series further, video games seem like the perfect way to do that. While it may never happen, hopefully a canon Dune game following one of these stories comes to fruition one day.
Dune
Dune is a science fiction series written by author Frank Herbet. Set in the far future, it follows the story of character Paul Atreides living in a socially oppressive galactic society. The Atreides family acquires management of the planet Arrakis, which has the melange, a drug that enhances human life. Dune's full story is told over its many different sequels.
