Frank Herbert’s celebrated sci-fi novel Dune is having quite a cultural moment. The highly influential novel—which inspired many elements in Star Wars—will arrive at the end of the year in a new big budget film from filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. And there are other Dune related projects on the horizon as well, including a TV series. The latest of these, as revealed via Polygon, is a new tabletop role-playing game project from Modiphius Entertainment. So you might want to start deciding which side you’re on. Are you a ready to become a member of one of the noble house, or maybe even a Bene Gesserit witch?
You can check out the first official art and logo for the new game down below:
Modiphius Entertainment
The new Dune game will be based on Modiphius’ 2d20 system. According to the original report, players will be able to join one of the Major Houses of the Landsraad, such as House Atreides and House Harkonnen. And even cooler, it appears as if players will be able to form their own Houses that are a part of the Padishah Imperium. Aside from being a member of one of the noble house, players will also be able to pick the role of spies, mercenaries, criminals, or agents.
Herbert’s original novel came out in 1965, and was soon celebrated as the Lord of the Rings of science-fiction. Its sprawling and complex narrative was seen as very difficult to adapt, despite the best efforts of Chilean director Alejandro Jodorowsky in the early ’70s. An excellent documentary on his attempt to bring the story to life, appropriately titled Jodorowsky’s Dune, tells of the ambitious plans he had to make this story come to life.
Universal Pictures
When a proper adaptation of Herbert’s novel finally did arrive on the big screen in 1984, director David Lynch’s epic version was cut to ribbons in the editing room, and he more or less disowns the final film to this day. Another version made it to the small screen in 2000, as a mini-series on the Syfy Channel. And although it was quite faithful, it lacked the proper budget an epic of this nature really deserves. But despite these arguably failed attempts, Dune remains highly influential in popular culture.
This isn’t the only Dune-based game that is currently available either. GF9 has released its own version of a Dune tabletop game, which is a reimagining of the 1979 game Frank Herbert’s Dune. Modiphius’ own line will become available towards the end of the year, and then going into 2021. Dune fans can check out the Modiphius website for more details on the new game.
Meanwhile, Denis Villeneuve’s big screen version of Dune from Legendary Pictures will showcase an all-star cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Rebecca Ferguson, and Charlotte Rampling. It’s set ton hit theaters around the same time as the new roleplaying game, which means your holiday this season is very likely going to be spent largely on the desert world of Arrakis. Be ready to leave your winter coat at home.
Featured Image: Universal Pictures
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