In Dune: Awakening, the endgame is built around two core systems: the Landsraad and the Deep Desert. Together, these create a dynamic and engaging experience that pushes players to the limits of strategy, cooperation, and survival on the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.
The Landsraad – Political Power and Influence
The Landsraad is a political system where players contribute to their chosen faction’s success. Through a variety of activities, players earn “votes” for their faction, and the faction with the most votes at the end of each week gains influence over the server. This influence affects gameplay, shaping the experience for everyone involved. These activities include:
- PvE Quests: Engage in missions that test your combat and resource management skills.
- Resource Gathering: Harvest important resources, including spice, and help your faction’s economy.
- Territory Control: Capture and hold strategic points in the Deep Desert to gain advantages and boost your faction’s standing.
This system introduces a blend of strategic gameplay, cooperation, and competition, as factions vie for dominance over the server. The evolving political landscape keeps players engaged, constantly adapting to shifting alliances and rivalries.
The Deep Desert – High-Stakes Endgame Zone
The Deep Desert is where the most intense endgame action takes place. It’s a persistent, high-level zone that features a variety of challenging activities, dangerous threats, and valuable rewards. Key features of the Deep Desert include:
- Server Meshing: The game uses server meshing to seamlessly connect nine servers, creating a massive and dynamic space for players to explore and conquer.
- PvP Enabled: The Deep Desert is a fully PvP-enabled zone, meaning players must be on their guard at all times as they compete for resources and territory.
- Territory Control: Factions can capture and hold control points, giving them strategic advantages in both the Deep Desert and the Landsraad competition.
- Spice Harvesting: Spice, the most valuable resource on Arrakis, is abundant in the Deep Desert. However, harvesting it is risky due to the presence of sandworms and other hostile players.
- High-Value Resources: Beyond spice, the Deep Desert contains other high-value resources that are essential for endgame players looking to maximize their influence and power.
The Deep Desert is a dangerous but rewarding place, where the strongest players will thrive, and those who aren’t careful may lose everything. The ongoing threats of sandworms and rival factions create a high-stakes environment that pushes players to plan strategically and work together.
The Future of the Landsraad and Deep Desert
The development team is committed to keeping the endgame experience fresh and engaging by continually adding new activities and features to the Deep Desert. One such potential addition is a third faction to the Landsraad system. This faction would serve as a balancing force, rewarded only if the weekly Landsraad competition ends in a close result. This change would:
- Prevent Faction Dominance: No single faction would be able to control the server for too long.
- Create Unpredictable Politics: The introduction of a third faction would keep the political landscape fluid, making it harder for players to predict outcomes.
- Encourage Cooperation: Players would need to work together and consider the broader implications of their actions, as they could unintentionally help rival factions gain an advantage.
Inspired by community-driven events in other MMOs, the team is also considering a “bingo board” system. This system would introduce weekly objectives that change, encouraging players to engage with different aspects of the game and adding an element of surprise to the endgame experience.
Conclusion – A Dynamic, Player-Driven Endgame
The endgame of Dune: Awakening is designed to be dynamic, multifaceted, and immersive. By combining elements of PvE, PvP, political maneuvering, and resource management, the game provides a deep and varied experience that caters to a wide range of playstyles. Players will need to adapt to the ever-changing landscape, form alliances, and outmaneuver their rivals to thrive in the unforgiving world of Arrakis. Whether through the competitive Landsraad system or the dangerous challenges of the Deep Desert, the endgame promises to offer something for every player.
