Dune Awakening to Launch First on PC, but Optimized for Controller Use

Translating a PC game to a console can be a daunting task, especially when the game’s genre is predominantly associated with PC gaming. The challenge lies in ensuring that the game’s essence isn’t lost in the process. However, for Dune Awakening, it seems the developers have taken a proactive approach, crafting the game with controllers in mind.

Yet, despite this preparation, there’s still no official announcement about the console release. Even the PC launch remains shrouded in mystery. To gain some perspective on how the team is handling this upcoming multi-platform release, I had a chat with Nils Ryborg. He’s a producer on Dune Awakening and brings valuable experience from working on the console adaptation of Pillars of Eternity at Paradox. His insights into the transition could shed some light on the subject.

Reflecting on past experiences, Ryborg shared, “I remember with Pillars of Eternity, we spent ages figuring out the UX. We looked to action RPGs for inspiration, especially when it came to movement.” He went on to explain the complexities involved, saying, “It’s a game rooted in tactical gameplay, and using a controller can be limiting. So, we developed AI architects to guide NPCs towards making smarter choices, offering players some level of direction.”

He continued, “We aimed to make character movement simpler, enabling quicker decision-making and more efficient real-time combat. But we deliberately kept mechanics that allowed for pausing to execute intricate strategies. Alongside this, we tackled fundamental UX aspects like cycling through different controls. The goal was to transition towards an action RPG feel while retaining as much tactical depth as possible.”

That was the journey Paradox took. But what about Funcom? How is their process different, if at all?

“Starting with a console-first approach is often easier,” Ryborg explained. “Such designs generally adapt well to PC, but converting a PC-exclusive game to console is tougher due to the reliance on mouse and keyboard controls. From the outset, we’ve been thinking about how to incorporate controller usage.”

He added, “We’ll launch on PC first, naturally. We’ll ensure a solid setup there. The console version, UX-wise, doesn’t worry me much. We just need to address the usual tech constraints, like hardware limitations. It should perform seamlessly without being overly complicated.”

In essence, while those eagerly anticipating the console version of Dune Awakening might still have to wait, there’s assurance in knowing that their experience won’t differ drastically from what players will have on the PC.