Funcom has entered into a new partnership, from which at least three new games are expected to emerge. All of them are set in the sci-fi universe of DUNE. One of them even sounds like an MMO.
This was announced: In a press release, Funcom announced the collaboration with Legendary Studios. The partnership lasts for six years. At least three games are expected to be developed for PC and console.
That’s why it sounds like a new MMO is coming: One of the mentioned games is set to be an “Open World Multiplayer”.
This already sounds for many fans like the MMO specialist Funcom is ready to venture back into a proper MMO after the success of the survival game Conan Exiles in 2017.
There are indications that Funcom has already announced or is developing several other games:
- Conan Unconquered will be a new strategy game set in the Conan universe, which is expected to come in Q2 2019
- A coop shooter with “Heroic Signatures” IP is planned
- Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden was released as a turn-based tactics game
- Another Conan single-player is to be released
- A title with “Funcom IP” from Rocket Pocket for Halloween 2019 was mentioned
After Conan Exiles rescued the studio in 2018, things seem to be looking up. Since all other previously known games are not MMOs, it is quite possible that the new DUNE “Open World Multiplayer” will become an MMO.
At least this game is being emphasized.
When will the games be released? No exact date has been mentioned yet. However, the press release states that the multiplayer is supposed to enter pre-production “still in 2019”. The title is being produced by Funcom Oslo.
Since a remake of the film classic DUNE is planned for 2020, a date around the release or shortly after the film sounds plausible.
The Dune series is a six-part novel cycle that was published between 1965 and 1985. In addition to the two original trilogies, there are numerous spin-offs set in the universe of Dune.
This is the current status of Funcom
In addition to the announcement, Funcom has published a quarterly report for Q4 2018. According to it, 2018 was the most successful year ever for Funcom.
Revenue was 46% higher than in 2017 and profits were the highest Funcom has ever achieved. Thus, the foundation for a DUNE MMO looks solid.
