View source for Dune 2000

{{Short description|1998 video game}}
{{about|the video game that was released in 1998|the ''Dune'' TV miniseries released in 2000|Frank Herbert's Dune}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Dune 2000 Boxart.jpg
| developer = [[Intelligent Games]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|[[Westwood Studios]]|EU|[[Virgin Interactive]] (PC)|EU|[[Electronic Arts]] (PS)}}
| producer = Lewis S. Peterson<br />Kevin Shrapnell
| designer = Randy Greenback<br />James Steer
| programmer = Sunlich Chudasama<br />Simon Evers<br />Martin Fermor
| artist = Richard Evans<br />Matthew Hansel
| writer = [[Margaret Stohl]]
| composer = [[Frank Klepacki]]<ref name="avaultinterview">{{cite web | date=17 September 2006 | title=Good to the Last Note | author-first1=Josh |author-last1=Horowitz | url=http://www.avault.com/articles/getarticle.asp?name=lastnote&page=4 | work=Adrenaline Vault | access-date=27 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106032042/http://www.avault.com/articles/getarticle.asp?name=lastnote&page=4 |archive-date=6 November 2004}}</ref>
| series = 
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
| released = '''Windows'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|September 4, 1998<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/05/news-briefs-335|title=News Briefs|author=IGN staff|date=September 4, 1998|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000412172836/http://pc.ign.com/news/4729.html|archive-date=April 12, 2000|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2021|quote=Westwood Studios informs us that Dune 2000 should be available in stores today.}}</ref>|EU|November 12, 1998}}'''PlayStation'''<br />{{vgrelease|EU|November 16, 1999|NA|November 23, 1999<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-02-21 |title=GameSpot: Video Games News: Dune 2000 for the PlayStation Out |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2447009,00.html |access-date=2023-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020221002317/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2447009,00.html |archive-date=2002-02-21 }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Real-time strategy]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Dune 2000''''' is a [[real-time strategy]] [[video game]], developed by [[Intelligent Games]] and published by [[Westwood Studios]] in 1998 for [[Microsoft Windows]]. It was later ported to the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://westwood.ea.com/html/backstage/press/1999/9.27.99.html|title=Dune Gold|date=September 27, 1999|website=[[Westwood Studios]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010407083532/http://westwood.ea.com/html/backstage/press/1999/9.27.99.html|archive-date=April 7, 2001|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a partial [[Video game remake|remake]] of ''[[Dune II]]'', which is loosely based on [[Frank Herbert]]'s [[Dune (franchise)|''Dune'' universe]].<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.westwood.com/games/dune2000/press.html|title=WESTWOOD BRINGS DUNE TO LIFE ONCE AGAIN|date=January 15, 1998|website=Westwood Studios|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000930035519/http://www.westwood.com/games/dune2000/press.html|archive-date=September 30, 2000|url-status=dead}}</ref> The story of the game is similar to ''Dune II'', and is continued in ''[[Emperor: Battle for Dune]]''.

==Gameplay==
The player commands one of three Houses and must fight for control of "mélange" (spice) on the planet Arrakis. The player harvests spice to earn "solaris", the in-game currency, by setting up spice harvesters, refineries, [[silo]]s, and power grids. They must also deploy soldiers, armed vehicles, and defensive measures to protect their operations from rival Houses, while also being mindful of vicious [[sandworm (Dune)|sandworms]] and explosive "spice blooms". ''Dune 2000'' features an interface and gameplay similar to ''Command & Conquer: Red Alert'', where unlike in ''Dune II'', the player can control more than one unit at a time.

[[Image:Dune 2000 (Game).jpg|thumb|240px|In-game screenshot; the player's base with units is visible.]]

Similar to most [[real-time strategy]] games, the game map initially starts with a black [[fog of war]] covering the entire map, with an exception to units' line of sight. As the units explore the map, the fog is removed for the duration of the mission, allowing the player to observe activity in those regions even if they do not have any units with line of sight to them. Like ''Dune II'', the player may construct concrete before placing buildings. In ''Dune II'', all buildings would deteriorate regardless, but the concrete foundations slowed the process. However, in ''Dune 2000'', the buildings do not deteriorate over time when built in their entirety on concrete.

Although each house has many common units, such as infantry, Wind Traps, and Mobile Construction Vehicles, each House also has its own set of units, such as the Atreides Sonic Tank, the Ordos Deviator and the Harkonnen Devastator. Houses Harkonnen and Atreides share the Trike, while House Ordos has an upgraded version, the Raider. Like many games of the Westwood franchise, a player can gain access to other Houses' special units by capturing their factories. House Ordos can obtain the Missile Tank by ordering it from the Starport when it would otherwise be inaccessible. After patch 1.06, the Harkonnen can eventually train the [[Sardaukar]], soldier-fanatics loyal to the Corrino Emperor with higher endurance and strength.

=== Cinematics ===
The game also features live action cinematics that play before each mission for the three different factions as well as for the introduction.

==Synopsis==
Emperor [[House Corrino|Corrino]] (Adrian Sparks) has issued a challenge that the House which can produce the most [[Melange (fictional drug)|spice]] will control its source, the [[desert planet]] [[Arrakis|Dune]], with no rules as to how the Houses can achieve this goal. Meanwhile, Lady Elara ([[Musetta Vander]]) of the Bene Gesserit and bound [[concubine]] to the Emperor, secretly takes the "commander" - the player - into one of the Heighliners, a person whose bloodline and future the Sisterhood had checked. According to Elara, they saw many visions of the commander dying — and only in one vision does the commander live and even rise to control massive armies and bring peace to Arrakis; thus, she and the Bene Gesserit have betrayed the Emperor's trust to bring about this possible future.

As in ''Dune II'', the three main playable factions are [[House Atreides]], [[House Harkonnen]] and [[House Ordos]]. There are also four non-playable subfactions: House Corrino, the [[Fremen]], the Mercenaries and the Smugglers.

;House Atreides
:Hailing from the water-planet of [[Caladan]], the noble Atreides have a strict loyalty to their Duke and follow him with zeal. The Duke's famous [[Mentat]], Noree Moneo ([[John Rhys-Davies]]), advises and resides over the Duke's forces on Arrakis. The House's fleets of [[ornithopter (Dune)|ornithopters]] ensure their superior air power backed by Sonic Tanks to humanely destroy enemies. The Duke also wishes to develop an alliance with the Fremen, the native warriors of Dune.
;House Harkonnen
:The Harkonnens are ruled by the wicked Baron and come from the volcanic waste-planet of [[Giedi Prime]]. According to Lady Elara, the only thing human about the Harkonnen is their genetic makeup, as all humanity was abandoned long ago in favor of brutality and maliciousness, favoring pure firepower brought by Devastator Tanks and the Death Hand Missile. The Baron's Mentat, Hayt De Vries (Robert Carin), was born from the flesh of a dead man in the [[Tleilaxu]] Flesh Vats.
;House Ordos
:The Ordos originate from a frigid, ice-covered planet unnamed in ''Dune 2000'' but later called Sigma Draconis IV in ''[[Emperor: Battle for Dune]]''. As they import their goods from nearby star systems, House Ordos relies on their skills as merchants to survive; however, their wealth has made them increasingly paranoid. According to the manual, House Ordos buys all of its units instead of constructing them themselves, including Saboteurs to demolish buildings and Deviator Tanks to temporarily turn enemy vehicles against each other. Unlike the other two houses, House Ordos is not mentioned in any of [[Frank Herbert]]'s [[Dune (novel)|''Dune'' novels]], but it is mentioned in the non-[[canon (fiction)|canon]] ''[[The Dune Encyclopedia]]''.<ref>McNelly, Willis E. ''The Dune Encyclopedia'', June 1, 1984, pg. 273, {{ISBN|0-425-06813-7}} (US edition)</ref>

==Development==
The game's development team consisted of over 25 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.intelligamer.com/features/qa/dune2000.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19991007003550/http://www.intelligamer.com/features/qa/dune2000.html|title=Q&A With With Brett W. Sperry, President of Westwood Studios and Lewis Peterson, Dune 2000 Producer|archivedate=October 7, 1999|accessdate=December 5, 2024}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_PC = 58%<ref name=GRPC>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197181-dune-2000/index.html|title=Dune 2000 for PC|website=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521132524/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197181-dune-2000/index.html|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| GR_PS = 61%<ref name=GRPS>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197182-dune-2000/index.html|title=Dune 2000 for PlayStation|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521133159/https://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197182-dune-2000/index.html|archive-date=May 21, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| CNG_PC = 7/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2108,00.html|title=Dune 2000 (PC)|last=Cirulis|first=Martin E.|date=September 22, 1998|website=Gamecenter|publisher=[[CNET]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816171111/http://gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-2108,00.html|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| CNG_PS = 4/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Dune2000/|title=Dune 2000 (PS)|last=Ham|first=Tom|date=January 5, 2000|website=Gamecenter|publisher=CNET|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816204801/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Sony/Dune2000/|archive-date=August 16, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| CGSP_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/160/dune2000_review.html|title=Dune 2000|last=Brush|first=Ryan|date=October 8, 1998|website=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]|publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709052859/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/160/dune2000_review.html|archive-date=July 9, 2003|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_173.pdf|title=The Worm Turns (''Dune 2000'' Review)|last=Scisco|first=Pete|magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=173|date=December 1998|page=408|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| EGM_PS = 7/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Dune 2000|author=EGM staff|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=125|date=December 1999}}</ref>
| GI_PS = 7.75/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4276|title=Dune 2000 (PS)|last1=Fitzloff|first1=Jay|last2=Anderson|first2=Paul|last3=Reiner|first3=Andrew|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[FuncoLand]]|issue=89|date=November 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000531163813/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4276|archive-date=May 31, 2000|url-status=dead|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| GameFan_PS = (E.M.) 84%<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n53/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000|last=Mylonas|first=Eric "ECM"|magazine=[[GameFan]]|publisher=Shinno Media|volume=7|issue=12|date=December 1999|pages=52–53|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref><br />79%<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_7_Issue_12/page/n17/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000 (PS)|last1=Ngo|first1=George "Eggo"|last2=Rodriguez|first2=Tyrone "Cerberus"|last3=Weitzner|first3=Jason "Fury"|magazine=GameFan|publisher=Shinno Media|volume=7|issue=12|date=December 1999|page=16|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|In ''[[GameFan]]''{{'}}s viewpoint of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 74, 90, and 72.}}
| GamePro_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/807.shtml|title=Dune 2000 Review for PC on GamePro.com|author=Air Hendrix|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]]|year=1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205164607/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/807.shtml|archive-date=December 5, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| GamePro_PS = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3568.shtml|title=Dune 2000 Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com|author=The D-Pad Destroyer|date=December 10, 1999|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213012254/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3568.shtml|archive-date=December 13, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>{{efn|''[[GamePro]]'' gave the PlayStation version 3/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, and two 3.5/5 scores for control and overall fun factor.}}
| GameRev_PC = B<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/strategy/dune_2000.htm|title=Dune 2000 - PC Review|author=Baldric|website=[[GameRevolution]]|publisher=[[CraveOnline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040219201736/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/strategy/dune_2000.htm|archive-date=February 19, 2004|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| GSpot_PC = 5.5/10<ref name=GSpot>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dune-2000-review/1900-2540099/|title=Dune 2000 Review (PC)|last=Kasavin|first=Greg|date=September 15, 1998|website=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
| GSpot_PS = 5.3/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/dune-2000-review/1900-2545946/|title=Dune 2000 Review (PS) [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"]|last=Mielke|first=James|date=December 3, 1999|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| IGN_PC = 5.3/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1998/09/17/dune-2000-2|title=Dune 2000 (PC)|last=Ward|first=Trent C.|date=September 16, 1998|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| IGN_PS = 4/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/04/dune-2000|title=Dune 2000 (PS)|last=White|first=Matt|date=January 3, 2000|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| NGen_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=NGen>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/NEXT_Generation_48/page/n135/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000 (PC)|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|issue=48|date=December 1998|page=134|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_3_1999-12_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n145/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000|last=Kujawa|first=Kraig|magazine=[[Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine]]|publisher=Ziff Davis|volume=3|issue=3|date=December 1999|page=151|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| PCA_PC = 6/10<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PCXL03Nov1998/page/n97/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000|last=Hudak|first=Chris|magazine=[[PC Accelerator]]|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=3|date=November 1998|page=99|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| PCGUS_PC = 70%<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/pcgamer199812/page/n219/mode/2up|title=Dune 2000|last=Vaughn|first=Todd|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=Imagine Media|volume=5|issue=12|date=December 1998|page=188|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000312123717/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/42.html|archive-date=March 12, 2000|url-status=live|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]''
| rev1_PC = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/dune2000.html|title=Remake of Dune falls short (PC)|last=Bottorff|first=James|year=1998|newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010701225013/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/dune2000.html|archive-date=July 1, 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=April 6, 2021}}</ref>
}}

The game received mixed reviews on both platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[GameRankings]].<ref name=GRPC/><ref name=GRPS/> ''[[GameSpot]]'' criticized the PC version's production values for being drab by 1998 standards, and cited balance problems despite the remake's attempt to introduce unit balance where the original game had none.<ref name=GSpot/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' said of the same PC version: "We applaud the fact that Westwood did exactly what it said it would do with this game, but we have to question the person who approved the idea in the first place. Oh, well – maybe the company will do a true sequel next time instead of yet another tired realtime rehash."<ref name=NGen/>

Peter Suciu of ''[[AllGame]]'' gave the PC version four-and-a-half stars out of five, saying that "for fans of the original game, or those who like a real-time challenge, ''Dune 2000'' is an instant classic".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14147&tab=review|title=Dune 2000 (PC) - Review|last=Suciu|first=Peter|website=[[AllGame]]|publisher=[[All Media Network]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114234846/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14147&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref> However, Glenn Wigmore of the same website gave the PlayStation version three-and-a-half stars out of five: "With smooth visuals, superb sound, a plethora of gameplay modes, strategy and replay value, ''Dune 2000'' is a real winner. It also makes great use of the various PlayStation peripherals, making for a well rounded experience".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20519&tab=review|title=Dune 2000 (PS) - Review|last=Wigmore|first=Glenn|website=AllGame|publisher=All Media Network|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114234009/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20519&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref>

==Open source==
The [[game engine recreation]] fan project [[OpenRA]] has support for ''Dune 2000''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Benson |first1=Julian |title=OpenRA update adds new Red Alert missions and bug fixes across Westwood’s back catalogue |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/openra-update-adds-new-red-alert-missions-and-bug-fixes-across-westwood-s-back-catalogue |website=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=31 December 2023 |date=14 May 2013}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Spice to see you again|last=Zdunich|first=S. Micah|magazine=[[The Duelist (magazine)|The Duelist]]|issue=33|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|page=90|date=January 1999}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/windows/dune-2000|name=''Dune 2000'' (Windows)}}
* {{moby game|id=/playstation/dune-2000_|name=''Dune 2000'' (PlayStation)}}
* {{IMDb title|0165275}}

{{Dune franchise}}
{{Westwood Studios}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:Intelligent Games games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:Real-time strategy video games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Video game remakes]]
[[Category:Video games based on Dune (franchise)]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Frank Klepacki]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Virgin Interactive games]]
[[Category:Westwood Studios games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]