Dune

Set thousands of years in the future, Dune the boardgame is based on the Frank Herbert novels about an arid planet at the heart of the human space empire's political machinations.

Designed by the creators at Eon of Cosmic Encounter fame, the game can best be described as Cosmic Encounter set within the Dune universe. It does diverge in several mechanical ways but its heart is still in the same place, that is, it is a game that generates a lot of player interaction through negotiation and bluffing.

Players each take the role of one of the factions attempting to control Dune. Each faction has special powers that overlook certain rules in the game. Each turn players move about the map attempting to pick up valuable spice while dealing with giant sandworms, deadly storms, and other players' military forces. A delicate political balance is formed amongst the factions to prevent any one side from becoming too strong. When a challenge is made in a territory, combat takes the form of hidden bids with additional treachery cards to further the uncertainty.

The game concludes when one faction (or two allied factions) is able to control a certain number of strongholds on the planet.

Expanded by:

• Spice Harvest
• The Duel

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.16,No.6
  • Dune – “The Essence of Dune” (Designer Notes) Bill Eberle/Jack Kittredge/Peter Olotka/Charles Vasey
• The GENERAL Vol.18,No.1
  • Dune – “Dual Player Dune - ''Two Player Variant with Allies” (Variant) Paul Snow
• The GENERAL Vol.18,No.5
  • Dune – “Reviving the Ghola - A Variant on the Bene Tleilaxu in Dune” (Variant) Kirby Lee Davis

Dune Microbadges :

from "The Avalon Hill General Index and Company History, 1952-1980"

Dune (1979)
Freelance design revised by Avalon Hill
Designed by Jack Kittredge
Development by Mick Uhl

An excellent adaptation of the book by the designers of FUTURE PASTTIMES. Mick Uhl authored most of the advanced game options.