Dune: Awakening’s Character Creator Is Exactly What MMOs Have Been Missing

by

Character creation in most MMOs typically involves selecting a hairstyle and face, with an occasional scar thrown in for good measure. However, Dune: Awakening breaks away from this conventional approach. Rather than providing a myriad of cosmetic choices, it offers a character creator that feels authentic, intricate, and deeply immersed within the world you’re about to explore.

This type of feature in MMO games seems almost unnoticed by players until they experience it. Upon first glance, you’ll notice that every tiny detail has been meticulously thought out. Players have the power to customize intricate details such as eye sclera color, dark circles under eyes, and even signs of sun damage or aging on the skin.

Stories can be told through various forms of skin adornments, such as vitiligo patches and freckles, scars from weathering, and old tattoos. Each design carries its own unique history, like the Chakobsa Sigil, an emblem from an ancient hunting language, or the Sapho mark associated with the Mentats in Dune.

In this version, I’ve tried to make the sentence more conversational and easier to read by using “can be told” instead of “weave a silent yet powerful tale,” and replacing the phrase “Even the tattoos have real lore behind them” with a clearer explanation that connects each skin adornment to its history.

The items serve as a glimpse into your character’s hidden past, offering insights about their history before you delve into the game’s narrative. Additionally, the well-designed background system enhances the overall immersion. You can customize your character’s backstory, social status, and mentor, and each decision influences how NPCs interact with you and provides you with exclusive emotes or dialogue choices.

As I choose Caladan, I embrace honor, tradition, and a sense of belonging. On the other hand, stepping onto Giedi Prime exposes me to cunning deceit and the harsh realities of Harkonnen rule. The diverse cast, from the prestigious Na-Familia to the humble Pyons, adds depth and authenticity to my journey. My mentor, whether a Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Mentat, or Trooper, bestows upon me my initial skillset and shapes my strategies for survival, combat, and political navigation.

The design of this system demonstrates careful consideration. Instead of being confined to a single mentor-defined class, Dune: Awakening encourages players to seek out new trainers and mix disciplines during their quest. Unlike other games where initial customization might seem superficial, Dune: Awakening’s flexibility means that early choices can significantly impact the character build over time, making decisions made even during the tutorial relevant well into the gameplay experience.

In the very start of the game, this story seamlessly blends in. It’s a subtle yet impactful move that instantly affirms your work in creating a character deeply entrenched in the Dune lore. While equipment such as still suits and masks may hide much of your appearance, Funcom has promised a transmog feature allowing players to showcase the unique identity they’ve meticulously built.

Dune: Awakening’s character creation process represents an eagerly anticipated advancement for MMOs, going beyond mere adjustments with sliders; it instead allows you to mold your character’s essence, captivating you before you even step onto Arrakis.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that this new gaming system is significantly altering my bond with my character. Beta testers have shared their unique experiences, mentioning an immediate emotional connection to their characters even before leaving the initial zones – something quite uncommon in most traditional MMOs.

Players can start shaping their narratives even prior to the initial skirmish, first trek across the desert, or first meeting with a sandworm, as the game developers intend to enable importing characters from the separate character creation tool directly into the main game.

In Dune: Awakening, MMOs receive an essential element they’ve been lacking: a character creation process that allows players to embody the hero, rather than merely designing one.

Read More

2025-04-29 04:12