We are excited to share that our exclusive video interview with Jeff Gagné, the World Director of Dune: Awakening, recorded at Gamescom 2024, is now available for you to watch! Jeff generously spent nearly 40 minutes with us after a busy day, discussing the game’s development, features, and world-building.
Gagné, who joined Funcom in September 2022 after serving as Design Director for World Systems at Ubisoft Stockholm, shared his expertise and insights on creating the immersive world of Arrakis for Dune: Awakening. Watch the full interview below to dive into the details!
Topics Covered in the Interview:
- Immersion and World-Building: He discussed various gameplay elements, including threats from non-human creatures, dynamic interactions with sandworms, and how player actions can shape the game world, including territorial changes and settlement impacts.
- Storytelling and Lore: The interview also delves into how the game’s narrative unfolds through deep character backgrounds, impactful dialogue choices, and in-game radio stations that enhance the storytelling experience.
- Multiplayer and MMO Elements: Gagné provided insights into the MMO structure, including tools for non-voice communication, faction-specific skills, and how the game supports finding players for faction battles, even after long off-hours.
- Additional Features and Hypothetical Scenarios: We explored questions about the potential for a photo mode at launch, managing player density with multiple guild bases, and the number of sandworm encounters possible in the deep desert.
Please note that some segments of the interview have been edited out as they covered topics that could not be addressed at this time. These include discussions on a potential collector’s edition, effects of spice consumption like hallucinations, a copyright system for player-created blueprints, and possible cross-media releases such as books or comics.
Check out the full video above to learn more about what’s in store for Dune: Awakening!
