Dune: Awakening Direct 3 Recaps Gamescom, Discusses Combat, Player Choices, and Immersion

Recorded during Gamescom and presented as a wrap-up, Funcom has released its third Direct for the upcomingDune: Awakening. This interview features Creative Director Joel Bylos and recurring host Soe Gschwind to give a one-on-one chat about the Gamescom activities and gameplay for the upcoming MMORPG. 

Bylos goes a bit into the new tagline: “Survive, Expand, Control,” which seems to be how the team believes the player will be progressing through Arakkis from their first steps to their grander schemes. 

They get quite a bit into some unique gameplay tactics. Players will be doing some work in the shade, including some unique Fremen recipes, and they’ll be able to do some building based on the factions’ aesthetics. Plus, they get into the ways that spice harvesting works, with sandworms existing closer to better points, and certain techniques and tools making it easier or harder to farm. And after a while, a bit too much spice exposure can affect the player—but exposure for more spice can be worth it. 

There’s a bit more combat discussion featuring some of the powers and traversal tools available. Bylos talks about how there’s a balance between ranged and melee combat—though a lot of feedback about the game is about wanting more melee combat to fit into Dune’s themes and story. 

Player immersion is also discussed; player housing was previewed at Gamescom, but Bylos and Gschwind talk about how allegiances are technically optional, though players will miss out on perks and political intrigue from each by going a lone wolf route. 

The full Dune: Awakening Direct is available on YouTube, though Funcom also had a Gameplay Reveal earlier on in the week and a Gameplay Presentation later on.