Dune: Spice Warslaunches today on Xbox Game Pass, alongside the release of the game’s new Air and Sand update. The 4X real-time strategy game from Shiro Games remains in early access, following its launch on July 05, 2025. Shiro Games continues to roll out substantial updates as it moves closer to full release. Availability on Xbox Game Pass was something that couldn’t be easily passed up, however, even withDune: Spice Warsstill in early access.
The Air and Sand update forDune: Spice Warswill be the third major early access update for the game. In June, Shiro Games introduced multiplayer toDune: Spice Wars, allowing players to participate in both 4-player free-for-all matches or 2v2 team matches. The second major early access update forDune: Spice Warslaunched in September and introduced a fifth faction to the game,Imperial House Corrino. Shiro Games has also released other substantial updates in between the content patches, improving balance and adding accessibility options.
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Regarding Xbox Game Pass,Dune: Spice Warsshould be available with its latest Air and Sand update now. As a 4X RTS,Dune: Spice Warsis PC exclusive, so it’s only available throughPC Game Pass, and it’s important to keep in mind that it remains in early access, too. Being available on PC Game Pass should bring the game to a whole new audience, though.
In the third early access update forDune: Spice Wars, Shiro Games is adding a new dimension to gameplay. The RTS now features aerial combat with an assortment of flying units, as well as the buildings and resources necessary to create them. Each ofDune: Spice Wars' five factions has two unique flying units, like House Atreides' speedy Hawk andHouse Harkonnen’s Overlord frigate.
The update adds a substantial amount of other content, too. A new neutral faction, the Renegades, has been added that will take over un-claimed neutral villages and launch raids on players. A new project system will add “spectacle” to fights, and should make multiplayer projectile shots smoother.Shiro Gameshas also improved the AI quality across all difficulties, which should make for a much more exciting gameplay experience for those that want to avoid multiplayer.
One last major addition remains on Shiro Games' roadmap ahead ofDune: Spice Wars' final launch, though it may have other significant updates planned still. The planned 2023 update many players are looking forward to isDune: Spice Wars' single-player campaign. Expect more information on that in the months to come, hopefully whileDune: Spice Warsis still available on Xbox Game Pass.
