Dune Awakening: Initially Launching on PC, Optimized for Controller Use

Transforming a game from PC to a console platform is no small feat, especially when it originates from a PC-preferred genre. Often, something gets lost in translation, but that’s not the case with Dune Awakening. The developers have taken a “controller first” approach right from the start.

While fans eagerly await news of a console release, details are scarce. Interestingly, even the PC launch date remains elusive. To shed light on the thought process behind this inevitable cross-platform venture, I caught up with Nils Ryborg, a producer at Funcom for Dune Awakening. Ryborg has a rich history, including time spent working on the console version of Pillars of Eternity for Paradox, offering a valuable perspective on the complexities involved.

Recalling his experiences, Ryborg shared, “With Pillars of Eternity, we really had to rethink the user experience. We introduced elements from action RPGs to help with character movement,” he laughed. “It was crucial because it’s predominantly a tactical game, and a controller does limit you. To assist, we developed AI architects to help NPCs make smarter choices and allow players to steer them more effectively.”

He went on, “We streamlined character movement to make quick decisions more intuitive and combat more fluid. However, we retained features for pausing, letting players execute elaborate strategies. There were basic UX tweaks too, like optimizing how buttons cycle through commands. The aim was to shift towards an action RPG feel while preserving tactical depth.”

That was Paradox’s approach. But what about Funcom? Did they navigate these waters differently?

“Starting with a console-first design is actually more straightforward,” Ryborg explained. “It’s easier to bring that to PC than to convert a PC-centric design—keyboard and mouse and all—to consoles. This has been our strategy for a seamless controller experience from day one.”

He continued, “Obviously, the PC version comes out first. We’ve set it up well, so I’m not too worried about consol eUX. Sure, there are classic tech considerations because consoles have hardware limits. But it shouldn’t be overly complicated to manage.”

So, while console fans of Dune Awakening are in for a bit of a wait, they can rest assured knowing their version will closely resemble the PC experience.