The livestream discusses the recent update and community feedback on “Dune Awakening,” focusing on balancing PvP and PvE gameplay in the endgame Deep Desert zone, addressing challenges like vehicle combat dominance and faction-based warfare dynamics. The host also shares thoughts on a new Kickstarter naval combat game, “A Hoy,” while reflecting on the complexities of ambitious multiplayer projects and evolving player expectations in gaming.
The video is a casual livestream discussion primarily focused on the recent update and community feedback surrounding the game “Dune Awakening.” The host expresses feeling unwell but engages with viewers while addressing the game’s current state, particularly the contentious PvP (player versus player) aspects in the endgame “Deep Desert” zone. The update from the game’s creative director, Joel Boos, acknowledges that while PvP is central to the endgame experience, not all players are interested in it, leading to plans for partial PvE (player versus environment) safe zones within the Deep Desert to accommodate those players. This decision has sparked debate about balancing PvP and PvE interests, with concerns about diluting the PvP experience and the challenge of catering to different player types.
The host reflects on the inherent challenges of designing a game that appeals to both PvP-focused players and PvE players, noting that the original vision for “Dune Awakening” was heavily PvP-centric, with the Deep Desert serving as the ultimate battleground for factional conflict. However, the unexpected large PvE player base has forced the developers to reconsider aspects of the endgame to retain these players. The discussion touches on the difficulties of balancing combined arms combat, where air vehicles like ornithopters currently dominate, overshadowing ground vehicles and infantry, a problem reminiscent of similar issues in games like Star Citizen. The host emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-risk, high-reward gameplay to keep PvP engaging and meaningful.
Further, the video delves into the game’s “Lands” system, which drives factional politics and endgame activities through daily and weekly objectives. The current system has flaws, such as stockpiling resources and rapid completion of objectives, which the developers plan to address. The host suggests ideas like faction-specific rewards that decrease in potency with consecutive wins to prevent one-sided dominance and promote balance. There’s also discussion about the potential introduction of a third faction and the benefits of faction-based warfare over free-for-all PvP to enhance strategic gameplay and community cohesion.
Towards the end of the stream, the host reveals having backed a new Kickstarter project called “A Hoy,” a multiplayer naval combat game set in the 18th-century Age of Sail. Drawing parallels to Star Citizen, the game promises realistic sailing mechanics, team-based ship combat, and a long-term vision for an open-world experience with player-driven economies and factional conflicts. The host expresses cautious optimism, recognizing the ambitious scope and the challenges of such projects, while appreciating the historical accuracy and detailed approach the developers are taking. The Kickstarter is positioned as funding for an arena-style naval combat experience, with open-world aspirations dependent on future success.
The stream wraps up with the host acknowledging the mixed feelings of the gaming community regarding ambitious, long-term projects like “Dune Awakening” and “A Hoy,” especially given past experiences with games like Star Citizen. Despite the challenges and controversies, the host remains supportive and engaged, encouraging viewers to be patient with evolving games and to find enjoyment in the unique experiences they offer. The conversation also touches on broader gaming culture topics, such as the changing expectations of players, the balance between casual and hardcore audiences, and the evolving nature of multiplayer game development as a service. Overall, the stream offers an insightful, community-driven perspective on current gaming trends and the complexities of game design and player engagement.