Dune

For the Sega Mega Drive game, see Dune II: Battle for Arrakis.

n/a

Dune

System(s): Sega Mega-CD

Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Cryo Interactive Entertainment

Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT)

Licensor: Dino De Laurentis, MCA/Universal Merchandising

Sound driver: HERAD (Cryo)

Genre: Adventure

Number of players: 1

Official in-game languages:

English

Français

Deutsch

Italiano

Español

Release	Date	RRP	Code
US	1993-12^[1]	$62.9962.99^[1]	T-70065
EU	1994-01^[2]		T-70035-50
DE	1994	DM 119.00119.00^[7]	T-70035-50
PT	1994
UK	1994-08-05^[3]	£44.9944.99^[4]^[5]^[6]	T-70035-50
AU	199x		FDUN01SMR

Non-Sega versions
Amiga IBM PC

Dune is an adventure game for the Sega Mega-CD based on the David Lynch film with the same name, which itself is based on a book written by famed science-fiction author Frank Herbert. Unlike the better known, ground-breaking real-time strategy game Dune II: Battle for Arrakis, Dune is an adventure game.

The game is pretty much a port of the PC / Amiga version with a lower color palette but better quality music, voice acting and cutscenes ripped directly from the movie. The developers took story elements from both the book and movie while adding some of their own.

Story

Taking place in a fictional universe, players will assume control of Paul Atreides, only child of the House Atreides and attempt to take control of the Arrakis, also known as "Dune", an unforgiving and hostile desert planet, but also the only place in the universe in which an extremely valuable substance called "Spice" can be mined.

Paul must forge an alliance with the "Fremen" planet's native inhabitants, mine the precious spice and raise an army powerful enough to challenge House Harkonnen, former rulers of the Arrakis and sworn enemies of the House Atreides.

Even though the game follows the story of the book and the movie quite faithfully, certain storyline elements have been removed such as Paul's Gom Jabbar test, betrayal of Dr. Yueh or Sardoukar attack on Castle Caladan. Duke Leto's death also occurs off-screen. Princess Irulan also only appears during the movie cutscenes and never in the game.

Gameplay

Dune is an adventure game with strategy elements. While following a story line, players must also recruit and command Fremen, locate or purchase valuable equipment that will help them during their duties and mine spice. Mining Spice is important part of the game as Paul must send a tribute to Emperor Shaddam in every few days. Inability to send the demanded tribute will result in a game over.

Paul must also stay clear from Harkonnen occupied territory and pick right choices during certain adventure segments in order to stay alive. Losing battles while participating them will also result in death.

Commanding Fremen is the most important part of the game. While they will be mostly useful for Spice Mining, after a certain part of the game they can be trained for combat. A certain character will also allow your Fremen to be trained as farmers but this has very little effect in the game.

In adventure segments, up to two characters can follow Paul as companions. They can offer insight into the situation your are in and even help you if you are stuck.

Majority of the Dune's terrain consists of caves called "Sietchs" in which Fremen live. Travelling between different locations can be done with either Ornithopter (a helicopter like vehicle) or riding sandworms, gigantic worm like creatures that is worshipped by Fremen as gods.

Characters

	Paul Atreides
	Main character and heir to the Atreides line. He is the product of centuries long careful genetical planning. Fremen believe that he is the "Muad'dib", the chosen one that will bring peace to Dune. His in game portait looks like Kyle McLachlan, the actor played him in the 1984 movie.
	Leto Atreides
	Paul's father and ruler of the House Atreides. An honorable and decent man who is convinced that allying with the Fremen is the only way to defeat Harkonnen.
	Lady Jessica
	Paul's mother and Duke Leto's concubine. A member of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, Lady Jessica has potent psychic powers and she believes that Paul actions will change the universe forever. Her ingame portrait looks like Francesca Annis, the actress who played her in the 1984 movie.
	Duncan Idaho
	Duncan acts as some form of a accountant, informing you about the status of spice mining in Dune and helping you to send tributes to Emperor Shaddam.
	Thufir Hawat
	Duke Leto's "mentat" (a high ranking, talented assistant), Thufir will assist you in many ways from the Carthag Palace. His resemblance to a certain nightmarish creature has also been noted.
	Gurney Halleck
	Warrior-poet Gurney Halleck will be in charge of military matters. He will be insturmental in training the Fremen for combat.
	Stilgar
	Leader of Fremen, Stilgar will be your most important companion during the game, assisting you with recruiting other Fremen and providing strategic counsel for future battles. Thankfully, he doesn't spit on anyone in the game.
	Chiani
	A likeable and brave Fremen girl, Chiani will have a very important role in Paul's destiny.
	Liet Kynes
	An ecologist who dedicated his life to bringing vegetation to Dune, Kynes will provide you technology to make Dune a slightly less hostile planet to live.
	Harah
	A recently widowed Fremen, Harah will have a very limited role in the story.
	Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
	This decrepit, overweight and cruel man is the leader of the House Harkonnen, quite possibly most violent faction in the universe and sworn enemy of the House Atreides. Baron Harkonnen is angry over the loss of Dune and will not hesitate do anything to wrest the control of the planet from his hated enemy.
	Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
	Baron Vladimir's nephew, Feyd has little role in the game besides taunting you over the comms. Unfortunately he will not be seen wearing his "Harkonnen Thong" in this game.
	Emperor Shaddam IV
	Cold and calculating ruler of the known universe, Shaddam needs spice from Dune to pay the debts he acquired during a civil war years ago. If you cannot pay for his tributes, he will send his elite group of warriors, Sardoukar, after you.

Equipment

Equipment can be either found in sietchs or Harkonnen bases. They can also be purchased from smugglers in villages.

Harvester: Increases spice mining speed considerably. Only for mining groups.
Ornithopter: Will protect mining groups from Sandworm attacks. If given to prospectors, it will allow them to move more quickly.
Krys Knives: First weapon type equipment for army groups. A nasty knife with a long curved blade.
Laser Guns: Second weapon type equipment for army groups. Primary ranged weapon in the Dune universe.
Weirding Modules: Third weapon type equipment for army groups. A device that ampifies voice significantly, allowing it to be used as sonic weapon.
Atomics: Fourth weapon type equipment for army groups. Illegal nuclear weapons.
Bulbs: For ecologist groups only. Allows fremen to start growing vegetation as long as there is a Windtrap in the sietch.

Production credits

A Virgin Production
Designed by: Cryo Interactive Entertainment
Team Manager: Philippe Ulrich, Didier Bouchon, Sohor Ty
Dunes Animation: Didier Bouchon
Programming: Patrick Dublanchet
Music and sounds: Stephane Picq
Music available on CD
(c) 1992 Virgin Record
Music composed by: Stephane Picq, Philip Ulrich
Executive Producers: Jon Norledge, Neil Young
Producers (CD Version): Robb Alvey, Dan Marchant, Matthew Spall
Producers (PC Version): David Bishop, Dr. Stephen Clarke-Willson
Original Design: Remi Herbulot, Didier Bouchon
Special adviser: David Bishop
Sky palette: Daniele Herbulot
Animations: Sohor Ty, Didier Bouchon
Graphics tools: Patrick Dublanchet
Sietch Decorator: Stephane Picq
Voices: Karen Strassman, Mimi Seton, Edward Marcus, Jerome Di Giacomo, Ken Starcevic, Yannick Vail, Kim-Michelle Broderick, Patrick Floersheim, Mike Marshall, Olivier Pierre, Roger Lumont
Actors directed by: Edward Marcus
Voices recording: Philippe Ulrich
Lips synchronisation: Daniele Herbulot, Ken Starcevic, Yannick Vail
(c) Remi Herbulot
Testers: Scott Manning, Chris McFarland, Adam Ryan, Paul Shoener, Jared Brinkley, Michael Gater, Jeff Wagoner, Rod Friedman, John Martin, Tim Williams, Noah Tool, Paul Coppins, Mitch Feldman, Eric Harshman, Craig McCoy, Jim Getz, Paul Welton, Jeff Gordon
French version: Daniele Herbulot
German version: Wolf Percival
Spanish version: Polylang Ltd
Italian version: Graffiti
Fremen version: Feyn Ezhar Kuuan
Cover Art Work: Lauren Rifkin
Test CD burning: Steve Clark
Special thanks to: J.M. Lefranc & Frank Hermann, Kyle MacLachlan
Dune ins a trademark of Dino De Laurentis Corp. and licensed by MCA/Universal Merchandising Inc.
(c) 1984 Dino De Laurentis
All rights reserved

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Dune/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

US print advert

Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:

GamePro (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)^[8]
Game Players (US) #0705: "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (1994-0x-xx)^[9]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #58: "May 1994" (1994-xx-xx)^[10]

Print advert in Consoles + (FR) #25: "Novembre 1993" (1993-1x-xx)

Artwork

Unused US cover artwork by Greg Winters.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average

Publication

Version

Score

Console Mania (IT)

PAL

89

^[12]

Consoles + (FR)

94

^[13]

Edge (UK)

80

^[14]

Electronic Gaming Monthly (US)

NTSC-U

80

^[15]

Freak (IL)

94

^[16]

Game Players (US)

NTSC-U

65

^[17]

GamePro (US)

NTSC-U

88

^[1]

Games World: The Magazine (UK)

PAL

80

^[6]

Joypad (FR)

PAL

88

^[18]

Mega (UK)

PAL

84

^[19]

Mega Action (UK)

PAL

83

^[20]

Megablast (DE)

PAL

74

^[21]

Mega Force (FR)

92

^[22]

Mega Fun (DE)

PAL

70

^[23]

MegaTech (UK)

PAL

73

^[24]

Mean Machines Sega (UK)

PAL

82

^[25]

Player One (FR)

96

^[26]

Sega Magazin (DE)

80

^[27]

Sega Magazine (UK)

PAL

79

^[28]

Sega News (CZ)

80

^[29]

Sega Power (UK)

PAL

85

^[30]

Sega Pro (UK)

PAL

92

^[31]

Sega Zone (UK)

PAL

73

^[32]

Sega Force Mega (UK)

PAL

93

^[33]

Supersonic (FR)

94

^[34]

Todo Sega (ES)

87

^[35]

VideoGames (US)

NTSC-U

70

^[36]

	83
Based on 27 reviews

Dune

Mega-CD, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, EU
Cover
Spinecard Disc Manual

Mega-CD, PT
Cover
Disc Manual EU Manual

Mega-CD, AU
Cover

Technical information

Main article: Dune/Technical information.

References

Dune
	Main page \| Comparisons \| Magazine articles \| Reception \| Technical information No results

Dune games for Sega systems
	Dune (1993)
	Dune II: Battle for Arrakis (1994)

[:File:GamePro_US_054.pdf_p74-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 GamePro, "January 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 74

[:File:SegaMagazine_UK_01.pdf_p120-2] Sega Magazine, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-10), page 120

[3] Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-08-08), page 10

[:File:SegaPro_UK_25.pdf_p59-4] Sega Pro, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-14), page 59

[:File:MegaPower_UK_07.pdf_p72-5] Mega Power, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 72

[:File:Games_World_The_Magazine_UK_01.pdf_p23-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Games World: The Magazine, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-05-26), page 23

[:File:Megablast_DE_1993-04.pdf_p34-7] Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 34

[:File:GamePro_US_057.pdf_p25-8] GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 25

[:File:GamePlayers_US_0705.pdf_p23-9] Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 23

[:File:EGM_US_058.pdf_p209-10] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 209

[11] Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx)

[:File:ConsoleMania_IT_029.pdf_p56-12] Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 56

[:File:ConsolesPlus_FR_031.pdf_p90-13] Consoles +, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 90

[:File:Edge_UK_003.pdf_p86-14] Edge, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 86

[:File:EGM_US_056.pdf_p42-15] Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 42

[16] Freak, "1/94" (IL; 1994-xx-xx), page 1

[:File:GamePlayers_US_0702.pdf_p87-17] Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 2 February 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 87

[:File:Joypad_FR_030.pdf_p114-18] Joypad, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 114

[:File:Mega_UK_14.pdf_p44-19] Mega, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-21), page 44

[:File:MegaAction_UK_08.pdf_p54-20] Mega Action, "Christmas 1993" (UK; 1993-12-02), page 54

[:File:Megablast_DE_1994-02.pdf_p34-21] Megablast, "2/94" (DE; 1994-03-30), page 34

[:File:MegaForce_FR_27.pdf_p72-22] Mega Force, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72

[:File:MegaFun_DE_1994-06.pdf_p102-23] Mega Fun, "06/94" (DE; 1994-05-18), page 102

[:File:MegaTech_UK_23.pdf_p70-24] MegaTech, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-20), page 70

[:File:MeanMachinesSega14UK.pdf_p86-25] Mean Machines Sega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-xx), page 86

[:File:PlayerOne_FR_041.pdf_p60-26] Player One, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 60

[:File:SegaMagazin_DE_02.pdf_p76-27] Sega Magazin, "November/Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-03), page 76

[:File:SegaMagazine_UK_02.pdf_p109-28] Sega Magazine, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-10), page 109

[:File:Sega_News_3_CZ.pdf_p30-29] Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 30

[:File:SegaPower_UK_49.pdf_p70-30] Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 70

[:File:SegaPro_UK_25.pdf_p58-31] Sega Pro, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-14), page 58

[:File:SegaZone_UK_14.pdf_p82-32] Sega Zone, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-25), page 82

[:File:SegaForceMega_UK_06.pdf_p114-33] Sega Force Mega, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-16), page 114

[:File:Supersonic_FR_20.pdf_p12-34] Supersonic, "Avril 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 12

[:File:TodoSega_ES_08.pdf_p52-35] Todo Sega, "Noviembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 52

[:File:VideoGames_US_64.pdf_p60-36] VideoGames, "May 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 60

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Dune

From Sega Retro

Contents

Story

Gameplay

Characters

Equipment

Production credits

Magazine articles

Promotional material

Artwork

Physical scans

Technical information

References