The Sleeper has AWAKENED!

Earlier this month, Gale Force Nine, popular producer of board games and miniature wargaming rules and accessories released the following press release on their website:

BURBANK, CA – August 6, 2018 – Legendary Entertainment and Herbert Properties LLC have reached a multi-year licensing agreement with Gale Force Nine (GF9). The award-winning game publisher is now set to bring the beloved sci-fi franchise DUNE to the world of tabletop gaming.
“Gale Force Nine has consistently demonstrated a skill and passion for building successful tabletop game series alongside category leading partners and we are thrilled to announce this exciting addition to the Dune licensing program ,” said Jamie Kampel, Vice President of Licensing & Partnerships for Legendary. “Legendary looks forward to a fun and meaningful contribution to this revered legacy property.”

The agreement calls for Gale Force Nine to produce original tabletop games drawing from the full scope of the Dune franchise—spanning the many publications from Frank Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson—along with multiple direct tie-ins with Legendary’s highly-anticipated film from director Denis Villeneuve.

“This is only the beginning of our big plans in tabletop for this captivating franchise,” says John-Paul Brisigotti, CEO of Gale Force Nine. “Dune is a rich and wonderful universe, and we expect to produce an equally expansive and inspired line of games for years to come.” 

The full range of tabletop games, including board and miniatures games are slated to hit the market just prior to Legendary’s theatrical release of DUNE in 2020. In addition, GF9 plans to align with other game companies on numerous categories and formats in the future.

I recall the long-defunct Last Unicorn Games, who had published a rather popular CCG based on the series, was to publish a Dune RPG in the 90s. The company was bought out by Wizards of the Coast and Dune: Chronicles of the Imperium was given a very limited (and, as I recall, expensive) release. It’d be interesting to see what GF9 does with it.... Wait a minute...

The full range of tabletop games, including board and miniatures games are slated to hit the market just prior to Legendary’s theatrical release of DUNE in 2020. (Emphasis added.)

Will this mean I’ll finally be able to command my own sietch of Freman warriors, rampaging across the cosmos to spread Muad’Dib's Holy Jihad?

Ya Hya Chouhada!

UPDATE:

It turns out that while GF9 is handling the miniature and tabletop aspect of this new license, they’ve teamed up with Modiphius to handle the actual RPG. Excellent choice!