Funcom and Shiro Games have shown off the Dune: Spice Wars debut gameplay trailer, giving a first look at battles on the desert world of Arrakis.

Based on the legendary sci-fi franchise, Dune: Spice Wars is an RTS with 4X elements, similar to Shiro Games’ prior title, Northgard. Players will get to lead their factions to victory as characters like Duke Leto or Baron Harkonnen in the war to control Arrakis.

Players will raise armies, capture territory, expand their economy, and establish outposts, all while avoiding the ever-present threat of sandworms.

You can find the first gameplay trailer below.

Here’s a rundown on the December 2021-announced game:

Control the Spice, control the universe 

A real-time strategy game with 4X elements, from the developers of the critically acclaimed Northgard. Set in Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking Dune universe, you must lead your faction and battle for control and dominance over the harsh desert planet of Arrakis.

Spice is the most valuable resource in the universe. The spice extends life, it expands consciousness and makes interstellar travel possible. Create your own story and play as one of several factions, including House Atreides and House Harkonnen, and compete for power over Dune and the spice.

Scan the landscape for wormsign or risk losing your troops and spice harvesters to titanic sandworms who will burst through the sand dunes to swallow and devour them whole. Best your opponents through political intrigue, crush them in combat, and undermine them with your network of illusive spies.

Features

• Frank Herbert’s Dune – Experience the unique Dune universe – one of the most influential sci-fi settings ever created. Play as iconic characters, such as Duke Leto Atreides, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and more, and guide your faction to victory. Watch for the constant threat of the massive sandworms, who dominate the dangerous landscape of Dune.
• Forge your own path – Choose between subterfuge, political influence, economic supremacy, or open warfare to prevail and gain control over the most important planet in the universe! Use secretive agents to sabotage the plans of your opponents. Vote on political resolutions in the Landsraad to further your strategy.
• 4X in real-time – Explore Dune with ornithopters to discover resources, villages, and points of interest. Expand with your troops to take control of more and more regions. Exploit the resources through buildings and spice harvesters to dominate the economy. Exterminate your enemies with a strong military but beware as outright aggression can have high political repercussions.
• Growing throughout Early Access – A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care… The game will be updated and expanded during Early Access based on your feedback. More features and content, improved balance and new game modes will be added in the Early Access period, based on the crucial input of the community.

Dune: Spice Wars enters Early Access in 2022 for Windows PC via Steam.