GOG Details Licensing Challenges For Dune 2 Re-Release

GOG's senior business development and partnerships manager, Marcin Paczynski, outlined the complicated licensing situation surrounding Dune 2, a 1992 real-time strategy game. The game is based on a 1984 movie, which was produced by Universal Pictures and directed by Dino De Laurentiis.

EA currently holds the game's code, assets, and related materials, but does not own the IP rights. The IP is tied to the movie, which was not based directly on Frank Herbert's book but rather on the film adaptation.

De Laurentiis' estate holds a portion of the movie license, adding another layer of complexity. Additionally, Legendary Pictures, which owns the IP for the new Dune movies, has a deal with Funcom for a game called Dune Awakening, which includes some exclusivity terms.

Paczynski noted that the exact impact of the Legendary/Funcom deal on a potential re-release of Dune 2 is unclear. However, it highlights the legal hurdles faced when attempting to bring back classic games. Paczynski expressed personal frustration over the situation, calling Dune 2 a 'holy grail' for GOG's preservation efforts.

The situation underscores the challenges of licensing for classic games, often making fan projects the only viable way to preserve and play these titles. While fan efforts avoid legal complications, there is hope for an official re-release to ensure Dune 2 remains accessible to new players.