GOG pursues Dune II re-release as five-way rights dispute stalls the 1992 classic
GOG is exploring a way to bring Westwood’s 1992 strategy game Dune II back to PC storefronts, but its rights are split among five parties. GOG manager Marcin Paczynski told GamesRadar+ that EA owns the game’s code and assets, while film rights and an exclusive deal involving Legendary Pictures and Funcom add uncertainty.
Bottom line — Paczynski says GOG has ideas, but no rights deal or re-release date has been announced.
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Paczynski told GamesRadar+ that Dune II was licensed from Universal’s 1984 film, not directly from Frank Herbert’s novels.
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EA holds the game’s code, assets and related materials, according to Paczynski.
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The five parties identified in reports are EA, Universal, a successor to producer Dino De Laurentiis, the Herbert Foundation and Legendary Pictures.
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Legendary has an exclusive game-development agreement with Funcom, but Paczynski said it is unclear whether it covers older Westwood titles.
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The uncertainty may also affect Dune 2000 and Emperor: Battle for Dune, Paczynski said.
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Paczynski estimated a hypothetical release might sell 50,000–100,000 copies at €5.50 or €9.20 (US$5.99 or US$9.99).