The gameplay involves contacting and convincing the Fremen tribes residing in sietches near the Atreides palace to harvest the spice. Harvesting is crucial for purchasing equipment from smugglers and appeasing the emperor. To speed up production, the player can equip the tribes with harvesters or ornis to protect them from the gigantic sandworms, Shai-Hulud.
However, the spice doesn't last forever, and new sietches must be prospected before having a mining crew assigned. The Harkonnen enemy controls the North of the Planet, dangerously close to the Atreides Palace. As the player progresses, they will have to actively deal with the Harkonnen, who will try to take control of their sietches. Fremen tribes can be assigned to military training with Gurney Halleck, but Paul must first gain a reputation by controlling Arrakis.