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Dune Awakening Podcast: Exploring the Gamescom Footage
The world of Dune Awakening has captivated fans since its announcement, but the recent Gamescom footage has raised the excitement to a whole new level. In this episode of the Dune Awakening Podcast, we dive deep into the gameplay reveal, developer blog posts, and more! Whether you’re curious about the intense survival elements, tactical combat, or the intriguing political landscapes of Arrakis, we’ve got you covered.
Dune Awakening Podcast Episode – Exploring the Gamescom Footage
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all right so you want to talk about Dune Awakening
we've got that gameplay Premiere from YouTube and
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the developer blog post too lots to dig into yeah
and it looks wild survival crafting political
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Intrigue and all on Arrakis it's ambitious
throwing players straight into survival mode
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like that a lot of games they kind of ease you
in this just throws you right into the deep end
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totally and honestly I think it's a good choice
you know it really speaks to the core of Dune
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adapt or perish for sure and it makes it way more
immersive from the get-go and speaking of starting
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off strong did you see the character creation oh
yeah tattoos lipstick it's surprisingly deep it
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seems like a lot more than just picking a pre-made
hero it's not yeah it seems like they really want
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you to make your mark on oracus and to really
make your character your own and your backstory
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too you choose your world and your Mentor right
right from minute one I wonder how much impact
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that'll have I bet it'll be significant at least
that's the vibe I'm getting it could shape your
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skills your relationships even where you stand
in the world it's exciting yeah okay so you
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wake up in this Freeman cave yeah yeah and it is
atmospheric it's creepy I love it very cool then
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it straighten to survival mode right you have
to craft a scrap knife find water manage your
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exposure to the twin Suns it's brutal it's like
Arrakis 101 but you're thrown into the deep end
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and that's what I like about it it makes makes
the world feel so real and dangerous like your
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choices actually matter and that's something I
think a lot of survival games miss yeah but here
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it's not just a game mechanic it's like for death
it's like they took the books and just dropped
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them right into a game world so well done okay we
have to talk about the spice we get to see how it
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affects the player and you need to find shelter
or you start to hallucinate oh yeah of course the
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spice it's such a cool part of the Dune Universe
I'm really interested to see how they handle it
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it's not not just a resource it feels like it
could be your greatest weapon or your downfall
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I mean we know it's important but it's interesting
that they've made it a gameplay mechanic too yeah
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it makes you wonder how are they going to make
us manage that right like how will you manage
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your spice intake will you use it strategically
it's exciting totally okay so we're just trying
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to survive on arrais but then we see the combat
and it looks amazing yeah it does they're calling
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it a combined arms system so you've got your melee
ranged attacks special abilities what do you think
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about all that I think it's a great way to go I
mean it really gives players a lot of options in
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combat and it's not just about what tools you
have it's about how you use them you remember
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that chicka wire claw and suspensor belt combo oh
yeah like that was straight out of a movie I know
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like zip up high surprise attacks that's so cool
it seems like they really want you to think like
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a freman warrior yeah it's tactical you know they're
not just handing you power they want you to earn
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those victories definitely and that's not all
there's crafting too and not just crafting like
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you're Scavenging Parts building Vehicles like
that sand bike oh I know cruising the dunes in
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style I love it and the crafting system seems
really indepth you know like you're not just
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building something you're mastering a craft
right it reminds me of and you can build stuff
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with other players too which I think is really
cool that's where it gets interesting for me
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yeah they were really pushing the Cooperative
element they kept talking about player created
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fortresses it's a whole new level of player
interaction imagine the possibilities it'll
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be interesting to see what players come up with
right definitely it's not just about what you
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build it's about who you build it with and like
all the social dynamics the alliances that could
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come out of that for sure so it's not all sunshine
and sand castles though right what do you mean
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well you're out there gathering resources and
then suddenly there's a sand worm the size of
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a small moon ah yeah that's Dune for you that
constant tension you know what I mean like one
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minute you're fine and the next you know for those
new to Dune about flower sand sure so that's a key
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ingredient for making the spice right right but
harvesting it that's risky yeah but the rewards
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could be huge but the risk though seeing that worm
come out of the sand like that I mean talk about a
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reality check that's Arrakis a double-edged sword
it's like the more valuable something is the more
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dangerous it is to get that's what makes it so
compelling I agree it's that push and pull and
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you know that brings us to like the heart of doom
right yeah the power the politics the scheming yes
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that constant struggle for control yeah yeah we
saw a bit of Hako Village in the gameplay footage
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oh yeah how cool was that that Social Hub players
can form guilds trade and probably stab each other
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in the back probably a lot of backstabbing it
wouldn't be do without it and the Developers
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talking about the guilds like comparing them
to the great houses interesting it sounds like
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they're not just going to be for trading and
hanging out so you think they'll be competing
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for power I think so controlling resources maybe
even shaping the entire game world who knows oh
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that would be so cool like imagine massive Guild
Wars alliances forming and breaking it's like
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they're giving players the keys to the kingdom
go make your own Dune story you know that's the
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dream okay so that's the game itself but we have
to talk about Gamescom that Booth with the giant
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sandworm it was impressive they went all out they
did but wasn't just about the spectacle you know
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they had the developer presentations they had
playable demos they were really engaging with
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the community I liked that it seems like they're
really prioritizing transparency especially during
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this beta phase absolutely like they're really
emphasizing that player feedback is crucial I
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think that's great makes you feel like you're part
of the process yeah for sure I think that's what
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has me so optimistic about it you know me too
it's like they're building a community not just
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a game it's a good distinction and they're clearly
passionate about the Dune Universe okay before we
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move on we have to talk about the new key art
and that tagline survive expand control it's
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perfect like it really gets to the heart of Dune
it's so simple but so effective like you start
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just trying to survive Arrakis is brutal then you
start to figure things out you gain some knowledge
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get some resources right right you start to expand
your influence building making alliances probably
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making some enemies along the way it's all about
control ultimately right like control of the spice
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control of Arrakis I guess control of your own
destiny in this crazy world it's a journey that's
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for sure it really is so much to think about this
game has so much potential definitely a good time
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to be a dune fan it feels like Dune is everywhere
right now you know yeah definitely and this game
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it just feels like it's coming up perfect time
yeah it's more than just a game release right
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it's like a cultural event it'll be interesting
to see where it goes from here that's what I
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love about it it's this huge world this deep deep
lore and it seems like they're giving us the keys
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you know yeah what are you going to be spice Baron
Master assassin freman leader the possibilities yeah
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that's what makes it really stand out I think
you get to have this personalized experience
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in this big complex world it's so cool yeah no
two players will have the same journey okay so
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if someone's listening to this and they're hyped
about this game what's like the one thing we want
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them to remember that this is more than just a
game you know it's like an invitation oo I like
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that an invitation to step into this universe
political Intrigue brutal survival and don't
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leave us hanging and Limitless possibility it's a
chance to not just experience Dune but to live it
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to make your own path on Arrakis so well said I
am so ready to join a guild write a sandworm maybe
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and see what Destiny has in store for me on Arrakis
until next time stay curious and keep exploring
Breaking Down the Gameplay Premiere
The first glimpse of Dune Awakening at Gamescom was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment the gameplay dropped on YouTube, fans were buzzing with excitement. The developer blog post added even more layers of insight, revealing a game world brimming with survival crafting, political intrigue, and intense action—all set against the harsh desert backdrop of Arrakis.
The most thrilling aspect? Players are thrown straight into survival mode. Many games ease you into mechanics, but Dune Awakening embraces the core of the Dune universe from the start: adapt or perish. As the podcast team highlighted, this decision not only makes the game more immersive but also brings a raw intensity right from the beginning.
Character Creation: Crafting Your Hero
One of the more surprising reveals was the depth of the character creation system. Far from being a simple pre-made template, Dune Awakening allows players to truly make their mark on Arrakis, choosing everything from tattoos to lipstick, building their own unique backstory. Your chosen world and mentor from the outset appear to have significant impacts, influencing your skills, relationships, and standing within the game’s world.
As we discussed in the podcast, this customization is not just cosmetic—it’s tied directly into gameplay. Your story will shape the way you navigate the treacherous landscape of Dune.
Surviving Arrakis: Brutal and Immersive
The podcast team couldn’t stop raving about how the game makes Arrakis feel alive—and dangerous. Players wake up in a Freeman cave and are immediately thrust into survival mode. Whether it’s crafting your first weapon—a scrap knife—finding water, or managing your exposure to the deadly twin suns, everything feels like a real struggle for survival. And that’s what makes Dune Awakening so compelling: every decision matters, and the environment constantly pushes back against you. It’s Arrakis at its most brutal.
The Role of Spice
No discussion of Dune would be complete without mentioning spice, and Dune Awakening doesn’t disappoint. As we discussed, spice isn’t just a valuable resource but a gameplay mechanic. If players don’t manage their spice intake, they risk hallucinations, adding yet another layer of complexity. It’s a fascinating twist that shows the game’s commitment to integrating the lore into every element of gameplay.
How will you balance the allure of spice with its dangers? This is one of the questions that will define your journey on Arrakis.
Combined Arms Combat and Crafting Systems
Combat in Dune Awakening looks fluid and dynamic. The combined arms system—featuring melee, ranged, and special abilities—gives players tactical freedom to approach each encounter in their own way. Whether you’re using a chicka wire claw for surprise attacks or gliding with a suspensor belt, it feels as though combat has been designed to make players think like a true Fremen warrior.
Beyond combat, crafting plays a huge role in the game. From scavenging parts to building vehicles like the sand bike, Dune Awakening offers players a chance to master various crafts and even collaborate with other players to build fortresses. Cooperative gameplay will likely be key, and the social dynamics of alliances and rivalries are poised to make the game even more engaging.
Sandworms and the Perils of Arrakis
One of the most exciting moments of the Gamescom footage was seeing the iconic sandworms in action. As any Dune fan knows, encountering a sandworm is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. While harvesting the desert for valuable resources, players must always be mindful of these massive creatures, which can appear at any moment.
The podcast team loved how this danger is ever-present, reminding players that no matter how powerful they become, Arrakis is always watching, waiting to strike.
Politics and Power: The Heart of Dune
Beyond the survival and combat, the political intrigue is where Dune Awakening really shines. Players can form guilds, trade, and compete for power in key locations like Hako Village, a social hub where alliances will be made and, no doubt, backstabbing will be common. As we discussed, guilds appear to operate similarly to the great houses of Dune, offering a new layer of player-driven politics and resource control.
How will players navigate this complex web of alliances and betrayals? That’s the heart of Dune, after all.
The Gamescom Experience
Gamescom gave us much more than just gameplay reveals. The giant sandworm display at the booth was breathtaking, but it was the developer presentations and playable demos that truly stood out. Engaging with the community and emphasizing player feedback during this beta phase shows that the Dune Awakening team is committed to building not just a game, but a thriving player community.
The Key Art and Tagline: Survive, Expand, Control
To wrap up the podcast, we discussed the newly revealed key art and the game’s tagline: Survive, Expand, Control. It perfectly encapsulates the player’s journey on Arrakis. You start by just trying to survive, but soon you’ll expand your influence through alliances and resource control, all leading to the ultimate goal: control of the spice and, by extension, Arrakis itself.
Stay tuned for future episodes as we continue to explore the world of Dune Awakening. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to save our fansite for more insights into this ambitious survival MMO!
