What is Dune: Spice Wars?

Dune has long existed as a sort of sci-fi royalty. Not everyone saw the original 1984 film, nor did they read the 600-page book upon which it was based, but those who have will swear by it. With the release of the remake film a few months ago, the story is once again fresh in the minds of the sci-fi hungry populace, and when the story is fresh, it’s time for some merchandising. On that note, what is Dune: Spice Wars?

Announced during The Game Awards last night, Dune: Spice Wars is a brand new 4X strategy game based in the Dune universe in development by Shiro Games, who previously cut their teeth on Northgard. If you weren’t aware, 4X stands for “Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate;” in other words, the goal of the game is to establish your own empire, grow its boundaries, exploit the planet’s resources to do so, and exterminate any other empires that look at you funny.

What is Dune: Spice Wars?

According to the newly-launched Steam page for the game, Dune: Spice Wars places you in the role of one of several powerful factions vying for control over the planet Arrakis, where the Spice flows freely. Spice, as the opening narrative of the original movie explains, is the most coveted substance in the universe. It extends life, expands consciousness, and in ways that aren’t immediately apparent, allows for interstellar travel. Arrakis is the only place to get Spice, everyone wants it, and there sure as heck isn’t enough to go around, so your faction will need to stake their claim, harvest Spice, and try not to get devoured by ravenous sandworms, all while growing your territory and sabotaging your enemies’.

Dune: Spice Wars will be launching in early access on Steam some time next year. There will be two factions available to play as at the start, House Atreides and House Harkonnen, with more factions and game modes to be made available as the game develops.