Publisher Funcom and developer Shiro Games have announced that their new 4X real-time strategy game set in Frank Herbert’s sci-fi universe, Dune Spice Wars, has launched on Steam Early Access. Players are invited to roam the unforgiving planet of Arrakis, where they will battle for possession of each drop of water and the resource that keeps worlds running: spice.
To commemorate the occasion and to quench the thirst of any potential trader, the publisher released a launch trailer with everything players can expect from the first Dune game in two decades.
Shiro Games, who also developed the critically acclaimed Northgard, have valuable experience working on Early Access titles. Sebastien Vidal, Shiro Games CEO said in a press release, “We’re all very proud of the current state of the game as we enter Early Access. It’s the beginning of a journey, and the game is only going to keep expanding from here, with the help of valuable player feedback.”
Launching into Early Access with four playable factions, Dune Spice Wars will continue to grow before the full launch, with multiplayer, more factions, and a campaign most likely to be at the top of this list.
Early Access Details
The current estimation for the game being in Early Access is 9 to 12 months, depending on how quickly they are able to reach milestones and implement all planned features and content.
The current build contains essentially the core experience of the game as the developers envision it, with a few missing features. the game currently has 4 playable factions with full political, spying, and warfare systems, as well as 3 victory conditions. Additional game modes, such as multiplayer will be added eventually throughout the course of Early Access.
And lastly, the price of the game might change during Early Access and/or after Early Access.
About Dune Spice Wars
Conquer Arrakis through political maneuvering, military dominance, sabotage, and wise resource allocation. The spice must flow, but as you struggle to wrest it from the grip of opposing factions, the planet itself will conjure up storms and colossal sandworms.
Lead the honorable Atreides, brutal Harkonnen, opportunistic Smugglers, or survivalist Fremen, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Specialize your faction by appointing various iconic characters as your councilors.
Dune Spice Wars is currently priced at $29.99, the publisher says that this is subject to change as the Early Access progresses.
Source: Press Release