Dune: Spice Wars
Released Sep 2023
A 4X real-time strategy game 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.
79% positive · 14K reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Low confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Low confidence
Active Development
Where to buy
Green Man Gaming Steam key Lowest $14.00 $34.99 −60% Steam $34.99
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Evaluation
Dune: Spice Wars launched into full release on September 14, 2023. Since then, Shiro Games has delivered a consistent series of major free content updates: the Heroes of Dune update (March 7, 2024) introduced hero units across all factions along with a full combat rework; Community Update #3 (August 1, 2024) brought a new spectator mode and extensive balance changes; and Community Update #4 (November 18, 2024) added new conquest modes for two factions, six new map types, and a statistics screen. The only paid DLC, House Vernius of Ix, launched on March 7, 2024.
This gives four major content releases in roughly the first 14 months post-launch — a cadence of approximately 3–5 months between major updates. The last major content release was November 18, 2024. As of today (October 1, 2026), that is approximately 22 months since the last major update, which is well beyond the historical 3–5 month cadence window (even applying a generous multiplier). The developer has also gone silent on the news front since the bug fix patch of July 9, 2025 — more than 14 months ago.
However, there is no Tier 1 developer statement announcing an end to content development. No "final update" post, no studio closure, no explicit statement that no further content is planned. The developer has not announced any upcoming content either. Given the silence extending well past the established cadence, this situation sits between "active development" and "complete" — but without a developer statement declaring completion, and given the prior pattern of substantial updates, the game is assessed as still having an active development history with no confirmed conclusion. The silence is now significant enough that confidence has been moderated accordingly.
No unreleased DLC is listed on the store. No live service mechanics are described. The developer's last communication of any kind was the bug fix patch on July 9, 2025.
Evidence
Community Update #4 launched, adding new conquest missions for Smugglers and Fremen factions, six new map types, a statistics screen, and extensive balancing. This is the most recent major content release.
Community Update #3 launched with spectator mode and broad balance overhauls, establishing continued major update cadence.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Funcom
Achievements
102
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP
About this game
This is your desert, your Dune.
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, expands consciousness, and makes interstellar travel possible. Found only on Arrakis, it is sought by the most influential forces in the Imperium…
Scan the landscape for wormsign or risk losing your troops and spice harvesters to colossal sandworms who will burst through the dunes to devour them whole. Crush your opponents in combat, best them through political intrigue, and undermine them with your network of illusive spies.
Experience the unique Dune universe, one of the most influential sci-fi settings ever created. Lead your faction to victory with iconic characters, such as Duke Leto Atreides, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, Esmar Tuek, and Liet Kynes. Stay alert as opposing factions seek to gain the upper hand and the planet itself threatens with vast deserts, huge storms, and the dreaded sandworms.
4X in real time.
Balance open warfare, subterfuge, political influence, and economic supremacy 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. Or dominate your opponents by overwhelming them with an all out assault.
Explore Arrakis with ornithopters to discover resources, villages, and points of interest. Expand with your troops to take control of regions. Exploit the resources through buildings and spice harvesters to dominate the economy. Deploy your spaceships and aircrafts to exterminate your enemies but beware as outright aggression can have high political repercussions.
Embark on a strategic journey where you can choose the path of honor and politics or embrace violence and deceit. Choose from various factions with unique abilities and playstyles. Each faction can be customized by selecting councilors who enhance their strengths and mitigate weaknesses.
Whether you choose survival tactics, shady dealings, military might, or dominating the spice trade, there is a faction and councilor combination for every player's preference. Explore the possibilities and shape your own destiny on Arrakis.
Conquest mode.
Take control of one of the major houses and fight through a number of unique scenarios and situations. Personalize your starting house with a variety of perks and upgrades to tackle the many challenging objectives of the Conquest mode, ensuring you a unique experience every time you play.
Band together in 2v2 matches or face each other in a free-for-all of up to four players. Tailor the parameters of your multiplayer match to your preferences, including AI difficulty, map size, victory conditions, sandworm aggression, storms, and number of Sietches. Team up and try different faction combinations to identify synergies and dominate Arrakis.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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