Translating a game from its origins on the PC to a console environment presents numerous challenges, particularly when it’s a title rooted in a genre predominately associated with the PC platform. This shift often risks losing essential gameplay elements, but with Dune Awakening, the transition has been intentionally crafted with a controller-first approach.
Yet, there’s no clear timeline for when we might see the game on consoles. Even the PC release remains shrouded in mystery. To shed light on the strategic moves behind this anticipated multi-platform launch, I had a conversation with Nils Ryborg. With his background in producing Dune Awakening and prior experience handling the console adaptation of Pillars of Eternity at Paradox, Ryborg offered some valuable insights into the porting process.
Reminiscing on his past project, Ryborg shared, “Our big challenge with Pillars of Eternity was adjusting the user experience. We really had to borrow some concepts from action RPGs to make movement intuitive.” He pointed out that while the game is fundamentally tactical, there are inherent limitations with a controller. “We developed AI systems to help NPCs make smarter choices, giving players a bit more strategic control.”
He then described, “We enhanced the fluidity of movement and decision-making in real-time combat, while preserving the ability to pause for those intricate strategies. It was crucial to incorporate intuitive ways to navigate controls and maintain the essence of an ARPG, without sacrificing tactical depth.”
This brings us to Funcom’s strategy for Dune Awakening. Did they take a similar path, or was there a smoother plan in place? Ryborg remarked, “Designing with consoles in mind from the start simplifies things. Console-focused design translates more seamlessly to PC compared to the complexities of adapting a mouse-and-keyboard-centric game to console controls.”
He emphasized, “We’re launching on PC first, which is straightforward in terms of setup. I anticipate that UX on consoles shouldn’t pose major issues. It’s mostly the classic tech constraints—getting optimal performance on somewhat restricted hardware.”
For those eagerly awaiting Dune Awakening on consoles, patience is key. However, there’s a silver lining: the console version promises to deliver an experience closely aligned with what PC players will enjoy.
