Summary
Dune: Awakeningdrops players into the world of Arrakis, sent on a quest to find out what happened to the original inhabitants of the world. However, many lore differences between the original source and this game. So players are eager to know more about the story of the game and what they need to do once they arrive in the world ofDune.
This list has some of the most critical lore facts players need to pay attention to before immersing themselves in this open-world survival MMO. From one of the most important differences between theDunemovies andDune: Awakening, to the origins of the character that players will control.
Warning. The following list contains some spoilers on the main plot of Dune: Awakening. Read at your discretion.
1It Happens In An Alternate Reality
In This Universe, Paul Atreides Was Never Born
When the story begins, players are introduced to a cutscene where Paul Atreides explains how he envisions the universe and its many ‘pathways.’ Thanks to his powers as the Kwisatz Haderach, Paul is able to see far into the future and the past of many branching realities. In one of those realities,Paul Atreides is never born, and instead, Lady Jessica gives birth to a girl.
So, the story begins anew in a universe where Muad’Dib never existed, and the Fremen are leaderless. This results in the mysterious disappearance of the inhabitants of Arrakis, in the middle of a cruel war for the dominion of the Spice between Houses Harkonnen and Atreides. Leto Atreides is alive and kicking, leading the charge against their eternal rivals, led by Vladimir Harkonnen. The player will assume the role of an envoy of the Reverend Mother, and be directed to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the Fremen. It will be put to the players to figure out what is going on beyond the reach of the Sardaukar troops sent by the Emperor, and unravel the mysteries of Arrakis.
2Atreides, Harkonnen, Or Your Own Faction
Players Will Play A Fundamental Role In The War Of Assassins
As players descend onto the sandy surface of Arrakis, they will be brutally attacked by the outlaws that prowl the region. Saved by Zantara (a Fremen rebel leader and former Harkonnen henchman) they start to discover that the War of Assassins is in full bloom. The surface of the planet is ravaged by constant storms, and the sandworms prowl all around.
Players must gather allies to accomplish the task that was forced upon them, but to do so, they will need to participate in the War choosing one of the two main factions, or discover their own truth and fill the hole left by the inexistence of Paul Atreides in this universe, unifying the tribes of Arrakis into a new faction. Since in this alternate universe, House Atreides hasn’t fallen, we can assume that many characters that weren’t present in the original universe will take a key role in this conflict. So, buckle up,it’s going to be a bumpy sandbike ride.
3The Fremen Play A Fundamental Role
You Are Sent To Arrakis With A Clear Goal
When the ‘Prisoner’ (AKA The Player) is sent to Arrakis by the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, she sends them with the goal of finding out if the Fremen were truly exterminated, or if they migrated into the deeper desert. It will be up to the players to decide the fate of this tribe by gathering allies among the residents of this world and following the Trials of Aql.
The main character will suffer a slight transformation as he delves into the desert, thanks to the abundance of spice in the air, the food, and basically everywhere. These changes will be slight at first, then more obvious as they progress in the Trials of Aql. They will be following the path of the Fremen into the desert, and acquiring more power and control over the Spice and its effects on them.
4The Sandworm Is The Ultimate Predator
This Legendary Beast Cannot Be Killed (Or Mounted)
From the moment players arrive in Arrakis, the fact thatthe Sandworm is a constant threatis made clear with the appearance of this beast trying to eat players and their pursuers: The Sardaukar army of the Emperor. Besides these Elite Exterminators chasing them, there will be a ton of small factions made by outlaws, bandits, slavers, and exiles, and these constitute the main PvE element in the game.
But the Sandworm itself is both immortal and unstoppable, and there’s not just one. In the movies, Paul Atreides was able to ride the Sandworm thanks to his mystical connection with the Spice and his gifted nature. But players are not the Kwisatz Haderach, and they are not the Messiah of the Fremen (at least, not for now), so they won’t be able to ride this gigantic beast and dominate their enemies. They can, though, use Thumpers to keep them entertained as they scout the sands for hidden treasures, spice, and other materials that can only be obtained where this beast roams.
5The Player Is An Outcast From One Of The Planets In The System
Players Can Choose Their Background Story
When the story begins, the Reverend Mother will subject players to an interrogation to determine who they are and where they come from. They must ‘speak the truth’ (AKA choose their class and background) and they will be able to decide if they want to be Swordmasters, Mentats, Bene Gesserit, Troopers, or Planetologist. Each of these classes not only unlocks certain abilities from the get-go, but then, they can also choose their origin planet, which radically changes their own background story.
But a common shared past is that they have been imprisoned and outcasted for unknown reasons, so their fate is in the hands of the Reverend Mother’s will, so they will have to submit and obey the command to dive into the sands of Arrakis. Still, many fans of theDunefranchise will be able to identify some cool references among the Homeworld and class choices.
6Spice Is The Origin Of The Conflict
Whoever Controls This Substance, Controls The Imperium
For those unfamiliar with theDunefranchise, they should know that Spice is the origin of all conflicts in the system, and also, the source of the mysterious powers that the inhabitants of Arrakis develop as they survive in this place. Spice doesn’t only confer powers to those who consume it regularly, but extends lifespan and causes addiction, which is basically the source of all trouble in the Imperium. Since the Emperor controls this substance, and only those exposed to Spice and trained in the art of Navigation can dominate Interstellar Travel, then this ruler has all the houses dancing on his every command.
But what is Spice? This mysterious substance is nothing but the excretions of young sandworms mixed with sand, which alter the genome of whoever consumes them slightly but permanently. This is indicated by the coloration on the eyes of those exposed to Spice (bright blue) and their enhanced abilities of perception, strength, and durability. InDune: Awakening,players will have the choice to become permanently bound to the effects of Spice, or to resist them as much as possible. Ultimately, their choice will define their gameplay style and how much they will require this substance to survive in the merciless endgame.
