In a surprising twist, Funcom, the developers behind the highly anticipated Dune: Awakening, dropped a bombshell during Summer Game Fest with a new story trailer that has left fans buzzing with excitement and intrigue.

The trailer reveals a departure from the established Dune lore, presenting a “what if” scenario where the pivotal character, Paul Atreides, never comes into existence. Instead, players will delve into an alternate universe where Paul’s mother heeds the commands of the Bene Gesserit order and refrains from giving birth to him.

This narrative deviation promises to introduce players to a universe shaped by Paul’s hypothetical vision, exploring the repercussions of his absence in the world of Arrakis. The game offers a fresh perspective on the iconic Dune universe, allowing players to interact with familiar elements while experiencing a new and innovative storyline.

According to the Steam page, “Dune: Awakening combines the grit and creativity of sandbox survival games with the social interactivity of a large, persistent multiplayer game to create a unique and ambitious Open World Survival MMO.”

The game’s trailer teases a world torn by a War of Assassins, with the Fremen missing and the spice still flowing—a tantalising glimpse into the upheaval players can expect to encounter in this alternate reality.

While a release date for Dune: Awakening has yet to be announced, fans can look forward to a full gameplay reveal at Gamescom in August. Until then, speculation is sure to run rampant as gamers eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore this bold new take on the Dune universe.