At this year's Gamescom in Cologne, we spoke with Joel Bylos, the Game Director of Dune: Awakening, about the highly anticipated survival MMO. Our questions mainly focused on solo and co-op gameplay.
Key information:
During our interview at Gamescom, Joel Bylos provided an in-depth look at the various gameplay mechanics of Dune: Awakening, designed to offer an engaging and versatile experience for solo players, small groups, and large guilds alike.
A key topic of discussion was how Dune: Awakening is designed for players who prefer to play alone or in small groups. Bylos clarified that the game is fully playable solo. "You can experience most of the game without other players", he explained. There are plenty of content and missions specifically designed to be manageable alone. For players who don't have much time or prefer playing solo, Dune: Awakening offers a wide range of options.
The game strongly emphasizes PvE content, with PvP making up only a tiny part of the overall experience. Bylos explained that PvP becomes relevant only in the game's later stages and is limited to specific zones. During the first 50 hours of gameplay, players can build bases and complete missions without much concern about PvP attacks.
PvP becomes more intense later in the game, especially in the "War of Assassins" zones. These areas are mainly located in the deep desert, where valuable resources and blueprints can be found.
Another essential feature is the shield system that protects bases from attacks by other players. "Your base cannot be destroyed by anyone when your shield is active", Bylos explained. This mechanic allows players, especially solo players and small groups, to build and expand their bases without the fear of constant attacks.
The game world of Dune: Awakening is divided into different PvP zones, each with its own set of rules. There are protected zones where no combat can take place, "Limited Warfare" zones that are primarily PvE-oriented, and "War of Assassins" zones where full PvP is allowed. The deep desert, where these PvP zones are located, is incredibly vast, allowing players also to avoid conflicts and hide.
When asked about private servers, Bylos responded that there are no plans to provide the server code to players, which would lead to security issues. So, you won't be able to host your own complete servers.
However, rentable servers could be offered in the future, providing a private environment for you and your friends. With a rented server, you would have your own starting area where only you and your friends have access. Your zone would still be connected to the rest of the Dune world, allowing you to travel to player hubs and PvP zones quickly.
Our interview with Game Director Joel Bylos:
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Dune: Awakening offers a comprehensive and flexible gaming experience that appeals to solo players and fans of group and PvP gameplay. With a strong focus on PvE content, base protection mechanisms, and a vast, dynamic game world, the game strikes a balance that allows players to enjoy the best of both worlds. Although there won't be private servers, rentable servers might become an exciting option in the future for players who prefer a private environment.
Thanks to the various mechanics and the thoughtful adaptation of the Dune universe, fans of the franchise and MMO enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting and immersive gaming experience. After the Gamescom demo, we are definitely eager to conquer Arrakis for ourselves!
