At the Tokyo Game Show 2024, we had the opportunity to go behind closed doors and check out Dune: Awakening, Funcom’s highly anticipated MMO set in the vast, unforgiving world of Arrakis. The special presentation was then followed by a Q&A session with Tascha Röösli, Funcom’s Global Senior PR Manager. Here’s what went down.
Creative Director Joel Bylos led us through 25 minutes of gameplay, showcasing everything from the character creation screen to survival mechanics, base building, crafting, combat, traversal, and the game’s social features. As a fan of both the original Dune books by Frank Herbert and the recent critically acclaimed films by Denis Villeneuve, I was interested in how Dune: Awakening would tackle the monumental task of adapting such a beloved and complex universe into an MMO format.
Balancing the legacy of Dune
The Dune franchise carries a lot of weight, especially now. The source material is often considered one of the greatest works of science fiction, while Villeneuve’s Dune films have captured both long-time fans and new audiences. The idea of an MMO set in the Dune universe is an extremely exciting premise, but it does naturally place itself in a position where it has to deal with a lot of pressure and expectations to live up to.
One of the most pressing questions during the preview was whether the game was more influenced by Herbert’s books or the recent film adaptations. Röösli clarified that Dune: Awakening was in development before Dune: Part One hit theaters in 2021. However, Funcom collaborated closely with Legendary Pictures to craft the visual identity of the game, even visiting the film sets during production. While the game’s aesthetic pulls from the movies, its narrative foundation is rooted in the rich lore of the Dune novels.
Dune: Awakening takes place in an alternate reality where Paul Atreides was never born, and instead, Jessica had a daughter. This allows the developers to carve out their own path, where familiar characters may face entirely different fates. It’s an interesting concept, offering a fresh perspective on the Dune universe while giving both fans and newcomers unexpected storylines to explore.
Potential or pitfall?
While the setting and story of Dune: Awakening are enticing, the gameplay presented during the demo felt a bit undercooked. It’s important to note that the game is still in early beta, but certain systems, particularly melee and ranged combat, appeared unpolished. The survival mechanics, including base building and crafting, are fitting for a game set on Arrakis. However, much of what was shown lacked the innovation one might expect from a Dune title, resembling many survival games already on the market.
The biggest red flag came when it was revealed that the game is, at its core, a third-person shooter. This feels somewhat at odds with the dense political and philosophical nature of Dune.
Flying through the desert and facing off against the massive sandworms certainly adds excitement, but the demo didn’t showcase any features that set Dune: Awakening apart from other survival MMOs. The core mechanics, while serviceable, left me wondering how the game would distinguish itself as the definitive Dune MMO.
If there’s one takeaway from the demo, it’s that Dune: Awakening still needs time to find its footing. With the current hype surrounding the Dune franchise, there’s no shortage of massive expectations. And the upward momentum has to keep going.
The team at Funcom has the opportunity to create something truly special, but they need to ensure that the final product lives up to the expectations of both Dune fans and MMO players. With more time in the oven, Dune: Awakening could be one of the best in its genre, but as it stands now, it feels like a work in progress. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
There’s still a lot to be excited about, but Funcom needs to spice up the core mechanics and combat to ensure that Dune: Awakening isn’t just another survival game with a famous IP, but a true Dune experience that players will remember for years to come.