Dune: Awakening features various types of motorized transport on Arrakis, such as ornithopters, ground cars, tanks, and harvesters. This year’s GDC and PAX East interviews and previews provide exciting new details, including fantastic hijack scenarios.
More Than the Sum of Its Parts
We all know that vehicles in Dune: Awakening feature modularity, allowing for the incorporation of various gadgets like scanners. However, recent preview articles hint at expanded player freedom in vehicle customization. A foundational module, such as the engine, provides a framework upon which players can unleash their creativity to sculpt unique and distinctive looks for their fleet, both for individual characters and guilds from scratch. So, instead of just tweaking some parts of a vehicle, you can build them bit by bit.
I adore the dragonfly-inspired ornithopters featured in the Dune movie and Dune: Awakening. Their sleek and elegant design adds a mesmerizing touch to the desert landscapes. The other vehicles in the game look good, but they deviate from the organic aesthetic established by the ornithopters. It would have been fascinating to see vehicles like ground cars drawing inspiration from creatures like scarabs or lizards.
However, with so many potential customization options on the horizon, I can hardly contain my excitement now. I dream of spending countless hours in my base’s garage, experimenting with my vehicles, and bringing my wildest ideas to life.
Borrow, Steal and Destroy
The latest interview with Joel Bylos on Wccftech.com has revealed intriguing new details about Dune: Awakening. Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve learned:
First off, rest assured that your vehicles are safe from theft by other players. However, there’s a handy permission system in place during the current beta test, allowing you to grant access to trusted allies, such as guild members, to drive your vehicles.
While stealing vehicles from enemy NPCs is fair game, the thrill might not last long, as these rides typically lack the quality of your personal vehicles.
But here’s where things get really interesting: Transport ornithopters aren’t just for getting around. You can use them to execute daring hijackings of hostile ground vehicles, crew included, and relocate them to strategic locations. The possibilities for clever tactics and humorous scenarios in faction warfare are endless.
In addition, Dune: Awakening introduces a “Backup Vehicle Option,” allowing you to save one vehicle as a backup. If your original vehicle meets its demise and leaves you stranded in the deep desert, fear not! You can summon your backup and get back on the move.
And finally, your last-used vehicle doubles as a respawn point, making it easier to pick up where you left off after meeting an untimely end. These new features promise to add depth and excitement to the gameplay experience in Dune: Awakening.
Link: Wccftech.com – Dune Awakening Q&A – Creative Director Clarifies MMO Size, Hints at Beyond Arrakis
