Emperor: Battle for Dune First Look

Westwood Studios has been one of the best-known software companies for more than a decade now. Even though they started off making RPGs (they even participated in the Gold Box serial side by side with SSI), they made their fortune programming RTS games. Westwood made RTS what it is today, setting standards with its first big blockbuster, Dune II. Any RTS player that hasn't lost several nights and days because of that game should feel ashamed. That was the first strategy to introduce a new dimension to the boring turn-based strategies. Ever since 1992 Westwood kept using the same engine, occasionally throwing in some slight modifications, and as the new games have to follow today's hardware standards, all those modifications were merely aesthetic. Almost nine years later, while their Red Alert 2 ravages the video-game market, on the Red Alert 2 disk, you could see a trailer for the true sequel of Dune2: Emperor: Battle for Dune. Incidentally, I should just mention that somewhere in 1998 they published a remake of the original Dune II, named Dune 2000, and it did surprisingly well, especially if we take in regard that it was the same as the old game. Emperor: Battle for Dune is to be the first, long-awaited 3D RTS from Westwood Studios. Many companies started using the third dimension in their games some time ago, but Westwood still chose to use a 2D engine in building Red Alert 2. Emperor will use the same concept as all Command & Conquer games, this time wrapped in a new 3D engine. Emperor: Battle for Dune will use a large number of units in epic battles on Arrakis.

An all-old scrimmage.

Cool looking tanks.

The plot is much like Frank Herbert's book. The three houses - The Atreides, Harkonnen and Ordos from the previous game return in 10190 (I don't recall the Ordos in any of the books - Ed). One of the aforementioned houses, with some help from Lady Elera, assassinated Padishah Emperor Frederick IV, the ruler of the entire universe. Regardless of who did it, the throne is now empty. This obviously started new wars on Arrakis, as all of the houses want to rule it. The sand planet is a hostile world ravaged by sandstorms, yet, the only natural source of spice - Mélange. Mélange is a highly addictive drug which makes you live longer, gives you the ability to see future and strange blue eyes (that could well be seen on Kyle MacLaghlan in the movie). Apart from that, everybody is after it because it can fold the fabric of the universe, making dimensional travel possible. Whoever controls the spice - controls the universe!

Emperor Frederick IV used to have a firm grip on Dune, allowing other ruling houses to extract certain quantities. He maintained his ruling position by keeping everyone else in constant quarrel. Emperor: Battle for Dune will give you a war of the ruling houses both for the planet rich in spice mélange and the emperor's throne. The houses will now represent general fractions you choose at the very of beginning the game, and later you get to choose two of five possible sub-houses to ally with. Each of them will bring you specific bonuses. Westwood intends to bring Herbert's world of intrigue, espionage and fighting to life with a totally new gameplay and fantastic cutscenes.

Ruling Houses and their differences (they are quite different, if we disregard their ambitions) are what makes dune this interesting. Each of the factions will have its own design, units (15-20), structures and tactics. Introducing the sub-houses will make the game even more versatile.

"The evil and dastardly" Harkonnen are notorious for their cruelty and they rule using fear and military oppression (And for 'preferring' young boys over young girls - Ed). Anyone who defies the whims of the current baron is sure to face death. Each of them has a heart implant, which makes potential execution easier. Their home planet Giedi Prime, lies under post-industrial buildings, toxic and radioactive waste, which will leave a mark on their units' design. Devastator will reappear, but now it moves on three legs and uses SA missiles. Ink Vine Catapult launches poisonous containers at your infantry. They also have a new version of the "BuzzSaw" which can destroy both infantry and Melange fields. Their most famous infantry units are the flame-throwers, lethal in close quarters combat.

"The Noble" Atreides are bent towards culture and social justice (As always - Ed). Their soldiers from their home world of Caladan are therefore extremely loyal and one of the most dangerous forces in the universe. Their Hawk emblem is printed on all their elegant, yet perilous units. These feature normal Sonic Tanks and stealth units from the old Dune, but here they can carry wierding modules and thumpers (devices for summoning sand-worms). Minotaurs are mobile combat platforms equipped with various weapons. Mongoose is a somewhat more agile version of the minotaur with rotating guns. There's also a unit, which serves as a transporter or "kidnaper" of enemy units - Advanced Caryall - they catch an enemy unit and simply let it fall when they reach certain altitude. Oh, and there's also the famous flying Ornithopter, the unit resembling a mixture of a fighter and a chopper.

"Sneaky and treacherous" Ordos have an advantage over the other fractions as they can regenerate their wounded. House of Ordos is a mysterious nation living on Sigma Draconis and ruled by the secret kartel. They specialize in weapon production and smuggling, but their troops are expensive, low in morale, and like to desert. Their units seem very cold, and they mostly have things like tanks, hovercrafts and mechs. They also have a Cobra Cannon, which can also be used as artillery when fixed to a certain spot (Siege tank, Starcraft?) Their hovercraft APCs and laser tanks can move on any surface. Dust Scout is a new unit, which can burrow in sand (Zerg?) and surprise an approaching enemy unit. They will also feature Ordos Saboteurs (blowing up enemy buildings!) and Deviators (controlling enemy units for a certain period of time!). Westwood Studios conceived Ordos, the only house that wasn't written by Herbert (See, I knew I was on the money J Ed).