Duniverse / Games / Generations

Welcome to the first issue of the Dune Generations Newsletter.

- The preview of the first official Dune Generations video was a great success, as presented by the development team at the most recent Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. The video shows the various playing stages that gamers will experience in this adventure (exploration and battles in space, attack of a planetary base...).

- View the trailer and the new screenshots right now at www.dunegenerations.com

- During the presentation, many video game professionals hailed the quality of the units' design. Watch for new graphics in the "Making of" section on the web site.

- In response to numerous requests, subscriptions to the Dune Generations beta test will not start before August. We will let you know as soon as the subscription page is open.

Some production news:
A team of 50 developers has been working on this mega project for the past 18 months. As a matter of fact, in order to recreate Frank Herbert's universe, which comprises hundreds of thousands of planets and is capable of handling thousands of players, the team has to stay focused for several more months to complete this titanic mission.
The leader of this project is a woman: Nathalie Christoux, and she was kind enough to answer a few of our questions despite her tight schedule.

How long have you been working in the video game universe?
It's been 6 years.

Are you a player and what types of games do you play?
Yes, I'm a player and I really enjoy strategy and management games such as Starcraft, Ground Control, Age of Empire, Cossacks... I also have a soft spot for "The Sims," my favorite game...."because I'm a girl," would say the hard core gamers I rub shoulders with every day :-)))))

What is the most difficult part of this project?
The real difficulty of any online game is to find ways to exploit to the max the performance opportunities provided by Internet. You can't develop an online strategy game as you would a simple off-line RTS. Our challenge is to create a game-play that will evolve with time.
The persistent and massive multi-player world is a real gold mine. It's this dimension that we found to be most appropriate for the Dune Universe. Players do not just manage simple units, but a real dynasty that they have to expand and help enrich over several generations.
One of the major strengths of this project is its production team. I think it's the first time that I have seen such a closely-knit and motivated team. Or could it be Kwisatz Haderach's doing?
Thank you, Nathalie.

That's all for now. You'll soon receive the next issue, which will give you new information on Dune Generations.

"Control the coinage and the courts -- let the rabble have the rest." Thus the Padishah Emperor advises you.
Muad'Dib's Secret Message to the Landsraad from "Arrakis Awakening" by the Princess Irulan - Dune