You won't have to wait much longer to make your mark on Arrakis, as the Dune: Spice Wars release date has been announced. Shiro Games and Funcom have revealed that their upcoming RTS-4X hybrid will launch in Early Access later this month.
When is the Dune: Spice Wars release date?
After being announced back in December last year, we now know when Funcom and Shiro Games' Dune strategy game is coming out. The Dune: Spice Wars release date (in Early Access, that is) arrives on April 26th, when you'll get a chance to go to Arrakis and make it your own. Shiro Games says its game already feels "incredible", but since this is an Early Access game, it won't be fully feature-complete on release, with features like multiplayer, a full campaign, and various smaller systems absent at first.
As well as the Early Access release date, Funcom and Shiro also announced the Fremen, the latest new faction to hit the game. Led by Liet Kynes, the Fremen seek a utopian version of Arrakis, free from water drought and from the Imperium. The Fremen will also have their own councilors, including a rogue Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother, the warrior Ben Fifrawi, and Liet's daughter Chani. Gameplay-wise, the Fremen are masters of the desert, able to move for longer without attracting sandworms or suffering adverse effects. They'll also come with their own unique units, including the Skirmisher, the Warrior, and The Infiltrator. It's well worth reading the full Steam announcement to learn more about the Fremen if you're excited for Dune: Spice Wars.
What is Dune: Spice Wars?
Dune: Spice Wars is an RTS-4X hybrid (complete with pause) set in Frank Herbert's Dune universe. It's the first fruit of a partnership inked in 2019 between publisher Funcom and IP owners Herbert Properties and Legendary Entertainment. You'll take control of one of the game's factions and battle the others for supremacy. Other factions that have been announced include the iconic Houses of Harkonnen and Atreides, as well as the Smugglers. Of course, as you battle other factions, you'll also need to contend with Dune's harsh natural conditions and its giant sandworm population. Originally, Dune: Spice Wars' scope was to be much smaller, but investment from Tencent in 2020 led Funcom to expand the scope of its project significantly. Suffice it to say, it's safe to start getting excited for this one if you're a Dune fan.
You'll be able to get your hands on Dune: Spice Wars when it launches via Steam Early Access on April 26th. If you're a fan of strategy games like Surviving Mars, then you should definitely check this one out, even if you're not familiar with Dune. Funcom and Shiro say that Dune: Spice Wars is due to exit the Early Access phase within "9 to 12 months", although that timeline is subject to change depending on any unforeseen factors that arise. In the meantime, drop this one on your wishlist, and we'll bring you more as we get it.
