[Update #2]: Dune: Spice Wars has now launched from Early Access alongside mixed reviews, mostly because the previously teased story-focused campaign has not been implemented.

[Update]: Funcom is now working on an open world, survival-focused MMO set in the Dune universe!

Following in the same footsteps as Northgard, Shiro Games have now released their newest strategy game Dune: Spice Wars into Steam Early Access. As you might expect from the name alone, Dune: Spice Wars is a real-time strategy game that's all about using political intrigue, espionage, and good ol' fashioned violence in order to secure your faction's future on the desert world.

You can get a little bit of a sneak peek at what this looks like in-game, as well as what the four factions are all about, through the launch trailer below. Have a look:

According to the current plans, Dune: Spice Wars will most likely be staying in Early access between 9 to 12 months. Throughout this time you can look forward to updates bringing in tweaks based on player feedback and new content, with the major additions being a multiplayer mode, a new playable faction, as well as a full story campaign. So if you're looking for a properly polished and fully finished experience, you might want to give Dune: Spice Wars a bit more time.

If you just want to dive in right now, however, you can do so, as well as read some of the player reviews, over at Steam. Have fun!