Dune, a series of science fiction novels by American author Frank Herbert, has been translated into Japanese and made into movies such as "Dune: Planet of the Sands". Dune: Awakening ", a game adaptation of Dune, will be exhibited at the Level Infinite booth at the Tokyo Game Show 2024! We had a chance to interview the developer, producer Nils Ryborg.
Dune: Awakening" developer interview!
- First of all, please tell us about "Dune: Awakening".
It is an open-world survival MMO based on the world of the novel series "Dune", where the goal is to survive in Arrakis, which is said to be one of the toughest environments in the world. Players will be able to survive in the scorching sun and sandstorms by obtaining water from plants and building bases to secure their strongholds. In the middle stages, players will be able to interact with NPCs and other players to enrich their lives and develop their characters. Towards the end of the game, you will be able to acquire great technology through the scarce resource of " spice ", participate in politics, and more. The game is an open-world survival MMO with many of these elements at its core.
- You say "MMO," but how many players can play in the same space at the same time?
It depends on the area, but when you start the game, there can be 40 to 60 people connected to the same area, which is about the same as in the "Conan Exiles" series. In the middle of the game, in an area called "Social Hub", you will be able to interact with more players and NPCs. In addition, there will be a "Deep Desert" outside of the shield, where you will be able to engage in intense combat with other players. You will be able to interact with players from multiple servers, and we are working on a specific number, but we expect to have several hundred people playing the game at the same time.
- How can I interact with players other than myself?
There are two main types of interaction: cooperative and adversarial. In cooperation, you can build bases and houses together and exchange items. You may also be able to sell blueprints of houses you have designed to other players. In the PvP area, you can beat other players and steal their resources. The "spice" mentioned earlier is a source of energy that can extend human lifespan and unlock potential abilities. It also serves as a tax on the emperor.
- Is it possible to voice chat with other players in the game?
We are working on it, but both text and voice chat will be supported. However, we are well aware of the current situation where modern players do voice chat on other platforms.
- PvP is a nerve-wracking yet difficult element for beginners, isn't it?
That's right. First of all, if you are in the shield where you first land, there will be NPCs and you will not be attacked by sandstorms. Of course, there are no battles with players. You can also play creatively, for example, by building your own house. However, the amount of valuable resources outside of the shield is just extraordinary. Furthermore, "This is what I want to do! ", going outside the shield will be a shortcut.
- The demo version you exhibited this time was in English.
Dune: Awakening" will be localized into several languages. We do not plan to dub the Japanese language, but we do plan to support subtitles, UI, and all other textual information.
- What were your impressions of the Tokyo Game Show 2024?
I arrived at 1 a.m. and slept for about 5 hours before coming to the show, so I only had a glimpse of our booth (laughs), but I could feel the fun atmosphere.
- Is this your first time in Japan?
This is my second time. Not long ago, I visited Tokyo as well as Kyoto, Osaka, and other major cities. The food was really good in addition to the beautiful cityscapes. I am looking forward to this time as well!
- Do you have a personal favorite game, Nils Raiborg?
This is a simple question. I love "Final Fantasy XIV". I think it's a very successful MMO system, and what makes it unique is the health of the community. The player base is wide, and the fact that there are many female players is a result of that. I also think that Japanese creators have produced a lot of great games, such as the "Persona" series and From Software titles. I also like RPGs such as "Dragon Age" and "Baldur's Gate.
- What are some of the influences on the creation of "Dune: Awakening"?
Of course the biggest influence was the original "Dune". We were fans even before we started making the game. And with our previous work in the "Conan Exiles" series, we developed the know-how to create a large scale online survival RPG. Dune: Awakening" is the result of a combination of what we wanted to do and what we could do. You also took artistic inspiration from the movie version.
- What are your expectations for "Dune: Awakening" before its release?
What we want to create is an experience of living in the world of Dune. We don't want to sell a package once and be done with it, we want to make it a game that people will play for years to come. To that end, we may add new locations, stories, and other content. In any case, we are currently developing the game so that people can experience the harsh world of Dune, and we hope that everyone will be able to pick up a copy when it is released.