It’s apparent that the iconic features of Fremen culture, such as sandworm riders, Fedaykin, sietches, larger deathstills, or stilltents, have been notably absent from the trailers and images that Funcom has shown us. This absence is likely due to Denis Villeneuve’s movies.
Funcom, during the game’s development, partnered with Legendary Pictures. The developers had the opportunity to visit the set of Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune movie and gain access to all the production assets, which they use as inspiration for Dune: Awakening.
So why would Funcom conceal something from us? The reason seems to be linked to project timing.
Villeneuve decided to split the book’s plot into two halves, with the first movie focusing more on the feud between Harkonnen and Atreides. At the conclusion of Dune (2021), Paul Atreides and his mother took refuge with the Fremen, leaving most of their culture to be explored in Dune: Part Two, which released three years later.
Although Dune: Awakening follows an alternative timeline, it shares the same audio-visual DNA as the movie.
No Spoilers Please
According to an article by Gameswelt.de, Legendary Pictures requested Funcom not to reveal too much about the Fremen culture before the release of Dune: Part Two, so movie viewers won’t get spoiled by material seen from Dune: Awakening. The game was said to have launched initially before both movies.
Gameswelt.de attended the preview event in Los Angeles and their story is backed by a PC Gamer interview with Joel Bylos, Chief Creative Officer at Funcom and Creative Director for Dune: Awakening. Following Legendary‘s request, Bylos said the Fremen were kept out of the development cycle for a long time.
The absence of Fremen culture at the game’s launch may be disappointing because readers and movie viewers learned about their importance. However, in an alternative timeline, the perspective might be different for someone who is not Paul Atreides and was just stranded on the planet. In the interview with PC Gamer, Bylos explains:
They’re not the main focus of the game, because they’re not there at the beginning. It’s when you get to the deep desert and later areas you start to interact with them. So the Fremen abilities, they’re not really available to players right from the start.”
Joel Bylos, Creative Director for Dune: Awakening
I fully agree that introducing the player to the Fremen later in the game makes a lot of sense. It allows for a more gradual exploration of the rich lore and culture of Arrakis, building anticipation and curiosity among players..
I can also imagine that initially focusing on interactions with other factions or characters, players can establish their own identity and motivations before becoming embroiled in the complexities of Fremen society.
Delaying the introduction of the Fremen culture until, for instance, the first expansion of the game also serves to gate content according to player progression. Should Funcom opt to allow higher-level players the ability to ride sandworms, it imbues these colossal creatures with a sense of exclusivity, transforming them from ubiquitous companions into a coveted privilege reserved for a select few.
Walking Like the Fremen
It sounds and looks like an invention by the Ministry of Silly Walks – the Fremen’s sandwalking.
In the Dune universe, sandwalking is a technique used to avoid attracting sandworms. It involves making slow, uncoordinated movements, pausing frequently, and shoving sand with your feet to mimic the erratic nature of the desert sands.
Funcom included sandwalking in Dune: Awakening but later removed it, as Bylos stated to PC Gamer:
It looked ridiculous, and it made you walk really slowly.”
Joel Bylos, Creative Director for Dune: Awakening
Joel Bylos added that this feature is not gone forever and might be revisited by the team at a later date.
I think sandwalking should be added to the game. It’s such a unique part of Fremen culture that shouldn’t be missed. It might be a safe way for “lone wolf” players without vehicles or aircraft to travel on foot, or a great method to sneak onto enemy bases without making any noise and without the risk of encountering a sandworm.
Link: Gameswelt.de – DUNE: AWAKENING – Darum fehlt ein wichtiges Sandwurm-Feature zum Launch
