Editing Dune (section)

== The Games ==
[[Image:Dune_RPG.jpg|right|200px]]
The first video game adaptation of Dune was what can best be described as a Visual Novel mixed with a little Risk Boardgame. You play as Paul Atreides and it roughly follows the events of the original book. The goal is to recruit Fremen and eventually kick the Harkonnen from the planet, while managing the Emperor's ever-increasing demands for Spice (lest he send the Sardaukar to get it by extreme force).

The videogame many oldfags remember fondly, however, is [http://www.mobygames.com/game/dune-ii-the-building-of-a-dynasty Dune 2], hailed as the first "true" RTS game that got it right and paved the way for all the others. It's widely-accredited as putting Westwood on the map. While it was set in the universe, it did not actually take place during the time of the books, instead much earlier. It was remade in 1998 as part of a renovation attempt, and the resulting game, [http://www.mobygames.com/game/dune-2000 Dune 2000], was a fun if somewhat off-centered RTS boasting fairly decent balance and was great fun to play in multiplayer LAN games, but it was hindered by the fact that the bulk of its gameplay had been lifted from ''Command and Conquer - Tiberian Dawn'' and ''Red Alert'', creating a sort of hybrid that (justifiably in some cases) pissed off fans of both franchises. Then again, it had fucking [[The Lord of the Rings|Gimli]] as an Atreides Mentat, a kickass robo-Mentat that gets progressively more drugged out for the Ordos, and a good atmosphere and set design readily conscious of the curious, or least unique aspects of the Lynch film's asthetics, so even then it has some good qualities. It was quite clearly produced with love of the universe, and emphasized the game was taking place in an earlier time, so as not to fuck with the books' canon.

Westwood later did one of the first 3D RTS's not soon after, ''Emperor - Battle for Dune''. Though the game ditched a standard campaign progression with the now familiar Risk-style campaign, it still had unique missions and a unique campaign for all three sides. The story took off right after the events of the last game (namely, Padishah-Emperor Corrino is dead with no one to succeed him) and thus the Spacing Guild and the Sisters avert a civil war by holding that whichever House can win a limited War of Assassins on Arrakis will be crowned Padishah-Emperor of the Known Universe. Contains all sorts of surprising twists and turns (like everyone gloriously violating galactic law, and '''IT'S A T-gmphmmhmhhhhhhh!!!!'''), and the cinematics and cast were quite nicely done as well. Especially since it's live action. This, sadly, would not be the last Dune video game.

You see, there's also ''Frank Herbert's Dune'', action-adventure game based on the mini-series. How good was it? Well, just think for a brief moment about ''why'' didn't you hear about it before you read this article.

=== Dune (1979) ===

When someone talks about Dune as a game, this is the game that should be assumed to be the subject, made by Avalon Hill by the same guys that made [[Cosmic Encounter]].  It's one of the crown jewels of the Avalon Hill body of work. The game property was bought by Final Flight Games who wanted to reprint it, but the owners of the Dune trademarks said "no," so FFG published the game using their [[Twilight Imperium]] setting as a prequel to that wargame. See more about both games at [[Rex: Final Days of an Empire]].  

More recently, Gale Force Nine managed to get the reprint approvals that FFG couldn't, bringing the game back with newer art.  They've released two expansions, adding the Ixians, Theilaxu, House Richese, and CHOAM as alternate faction choices.  
* [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/121 BoardgameGeek link to the Avalon Hill game]
* [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/104363 BoardgameGeek link to the FFG remake]
* [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/283355/dune BoardgameGeek Link to the reprint]

In parallel, GF9 also released a streamlined version called ''Dune: Conquest & Diplomacy'', which is based on the same fundamental combat mechanics but simplifies some of the economic and interaction elements as well as reducing the faction count to 4.  Compared to the original it has a greater emphasis on the ground game, and can be played in an afternoon as opposed to a weekend.  Fans of the original will see it lacking the intrigue element that made Dune noteworthy in the first place.

* [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/341165 Conquest & Diplomacy]

=== Dune (1984) ===

There was a trashy tie-in merchandise boardgame based on the David Lynch movie.  Paper pasted on cardboard, roll-and-move race game, typical [[Ameritrash]].  The less said about that, the better.
* [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/680 you don't want to know]

=== Dune Express ===

There is a free print-and-play game "Dune Express."  You can use simple coloured dice, Skittles for your armies, and draw the map on the back of a pizza box, and yet it will still feel like great houses fighting over Arrakis. A decent beer-and-preztels game without being hurr durr dumb.
* [http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42617 BoardgameGeek link to Dune Express]

=== Dune: Imperium ===

Dire Wolf has now managed to get their claws onto a license to do a Dune game as well, Dune: Imperium.  
It's a mixture of a card drafting game like [[Dominion]] and a worker placement game, with a smidgeon of simple combat. Each of the subgames is fairly basic on their own, but the game as a whole becomes complex as they interact. 

The biggest advantage it has over other Dune board games is that it can be played with any number of players (up to four), so it's a great option if you love Dune but can't get a big group together. You can even play it solo if you don't have any meatspace friends, or if you're the kind of person who dies a little inside whenever you watch someone riffle shuffle your poor defenseless cards. The NPCs have unique rules that make them a serious threat, especially on the higher difficulties. It's different enough from the multiplayer that it's worth trying even if you do have a group. 

You can backstab your friends after they outlive their usefulness, commit war crimes, start a eugenics program, achieve apotheosis, and drink Chani's pee. Potentially all in the same turn if you get a good hand. It's a fun board game for the whole family.

The downside is that it's basically a Dune flavored remake of ''Arctic Scavengers''.  Not the worst game in the world to mimic, maybe even pretty damn appropriate to try in a desert setting.  But it loses a lot of the political nuance of the setting that OG Dune handled so well.

* [https://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316554/dune-imperium BoardgameGeek]

=== Dune: Spice Wars ===

A 4X made by Shiro Games; it is currently in Early Access and shaping up to be a fun head to head RTS. The visuals and sounds go down smoothly which make for an oddly relaxing game despite how much the game wants you to fight others in the ways the game offers: Military, Assassination, "Good" boy points (Hegemony), Economy, and Political. 

Military is what it says on the tin: killing everyone else's bases. A good army in this game is often just getting the biggest blob of the bestest units with support from some ranged stuff and then rushing in. However, you need to support the troops with Operations which are essentially buffs, abilities, debuffs, and more that can turn an engagement around. Operations are also where...

You find the Assassination victory condition! This is done by assigning agents (which you get automatically and some special ones gotten from quests) to infiltrate enemies (though they can also be assigned to either Arrakis, Spacing Guild, CHOAM, or Landsraad for bonuses to their respective resources of Authority, Manpower, Solari, and Influence). Data, gotten from infiltrating anyone, is used to pay for operations which may come with Solari costs in addition. That is to say that with every level of infiltration you get into an opponent's faction, the higher level of Assassination mission you unlock; the last one being the actual assassination of the leader and thus end of that faction.

Hegemony is just a resource that results in you winning one you hit 25k. Certain regions give you a flat amount, some buildings make it for you, and you get some by just playing the game. In other words, make sure to get it when you can and to play well.

Economy is not achieved by hitting an arbitrary number of Solari, but instead by buying CHOAM stocks from the CHOAM tab. More stocks get you more money which get you more stocks. If you own more than 50% of the stocks, you win.

Political victory comes from being voted into, and staying as, the Dune Governorship for 45 days; the position is acquired through the Landsraad voting system. If you meet the prerequisites, you can get voted into a few positions which give various bonuses with the titular Dune Governorship doing what I just said it did.