Funcom and Dune: Awakening have addressed Creative Director Joel Bylos’ comments that the game will “sidestep religion.”
A screenshot from Dune: Awakening (TBA), Funcom
In an interview with Eurogamer to promote the upcoming survival MMO, Bylos said, “Things are slightly different in our universe. Many events are still the same, so it’s not like we’ve gone all ‘thousands of years ago, a rock slid in the wrong place and changed everything’. It’s just a few years back.”
He then revealed, ““But the significant thing – it’s really close to spoiler territory, which I can’t really go through – but let’s just say that for the large part, we sort of sidestep religion.”
A screenshot from Dune: Awakening (TBA), Funcom
READ: ‘Dune: Awakening’ Creative Director Confirms Game Will “Sidestep Religion”
The comments were heavily criticized by former World of Warcraft Team Lead Mark Kern who posted on X, “Please stop changing all our beloved stories. No, you can’t modernize it. No, your version won’t be better. No, it’s not necessary.”
Please stop changing all our beloved stories.
No, you can’t modernize it.
No, your version won’t be better.
No, it’s not necessary. https://t.co/f69bZSkHat
— Grummz (@Grummz) March 5, 2024
Dune: Awakening has since addressed Bylos’ comments posting on X, “We agree that religion is an integral part of the Dune universe. This is why in Dune: Awakening you will meet and interact with people of different religions along your journey.”
The company continued, “However, as opposed to the story presented in the books, the player is not a messiah and will not play a major role in any of them. Leading people on a holy war is not why you arrive on Arrakis.”
Dune: Awakening on X
It’s unclear if this comment will clear up any criticisms of the game’s faithfulness to the lore given Paul Atreides did not arrive on Arrakis seeking to become a messiah.
Rather, he arrived due to the political machinations of the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV as he gave control of Arrakis to House Atreides while at the same time plotting with House Harkonnen to destroy them.
A screenshot from Dune: Awakening (TBA), Funcom
As for the idea that players will interact with multiple religions, it’s unclear how this will come about given it does appear that most of the gameplay takes place on Arrakis where the predominant religion followed the teachings of the Orange Catholic Bible.
However, the developers have revealed that players will interact with Landsraad, a governing body that represents the Great Houses. It’s possible players will interact with various religious factions in their interaction with the Landsraad.
A screenshot from Dune: Awakening (TBA), Funcom
What do you make of this statement from Funcom regarding how the game will “sidestep religion?”
