Emperor: Battle for Dune Interview

AT: Tell us more about the 3D engine in Emperor: Battle for Dune.

CL: We are using a completely new 3D engine, which was custom designed for Emperor. The 4 worlds, desert Arrakis, lush Caladan, toxic Geidi Prime, frozen Draconis IV, come to life in amazing detail!

This technology not only adds beauty and depth to RTS games, but it's used in a way that will better allow the player to control the battle in front of him. The player will be able to control the camera to his benefit (zooming in and out, and rotating the battlefield) but the camera movements will never become cumbersome or difficult to manoeuvre.

Noble Duke...

At the palace.

AT: Are there any other resources besides the spice Melange?

CL: Melange is the only resource in the game that can be used as currency, and it is only found on Arrakis. When the battle moves to the other planets, the lush, green Caladan, the industrial wasteland of Geidi Prime and the iceworld, Draconis IV, the player will receive regular money "shipments" to keep his production going. This is an interesting layer of strategy, in that it forces you to truly manage your building of units, infantry and structures.

AT: Is folding space going to be important to the player in any way?

CL: Folding space allows the Guild to transport Heighliners across great distances, delivering cargo and even other ships. In the game, a local form of space folding is used by the Guild NIAB tanks. They can effectively teleport themselves around the battle map for a surprise attack!

AT: How does the diplomacy work between the player and sub-houses? For instance, are we going to observe alliances that are maintained by resource trades?

CL: As you play through the campaign, there will be opportunities to take on missions to help out various sub-houses. Succeeding in these objectives will help to gain their allegiance and access to that sub-house's structure units.

AT: When the player forges alliances with other races, will he get to manage some of their units? The Imperial Sardaukar terror-troops, for example, can they be controlled in any way if an alliance exists?

CL: Yes, the player can forge an alliance with up to two of the five sub-houses at a time (Tleixu, Fremen, Sardaukar, Ix & the Guild). Doing so will allow the player access to the unique technologies that come with that house. Each sub-house will give the player one structure and two units to control.

AT: We've seen in the movie that nothing can stand up to the power of the Arrakis Sandworms. Is the worm going to be undefeatable?

CL: There are actually two kinds of sandworms that live in the Dunes of Arrakis, the small worms that the native Fremen can control, along with giant, destructive worms that can devour an entire army. Those sandworms are indestructible, the only defense against them is to stay out of their way and not attract their attention.

AT: How will we be able to keep track of the Sandworm movement? Do we get to use those handy thumpers?

CL: Sandworms that are spotted are called out by the Computer, and a visual tracks their movement on the map. Some worms attack vertically, and give no warning. The largest of worms, Shai-Halud, can swallow several harvesters at once!

AT: Is Caladan going to have any missions at sea?

CL: No, there are no missions at sea. None of the three houses or the five sub-houses will have naval units or structures.

AT: Any other ideas beyond the Battle for Dune?

CL: Only time will tell!