This guide will have you create a batch file that will delete the intro movies from Dune Awakening's installation folder and start the game directly bypassing the Funcom Launcher, resulting in a faster startup time.

This process can always be done manually, but if the game updates it might restore/redownload the video files, this batch file deletes them if they are present every time it is run, so you don't have to worry about it.

What is a batch file?
A batch file is a file that when opened, will open Command Prompt and run the commands contained within.
This is usually used to automate a process or execute multiple commands and/or programs in quick succession.


Note:
This guide is written purely with Windows users in mind, If you're using Linux or other OS, you're prolly smart enough around your OS to setup a similar process without my help, but feel free to use any relevant info in this guide.


What will this batch file do?
The batch file we are about to create will delete a few B2K files, all these files are is video's and the game won't mind if we flatout delete them.
This batchfile will remove all the logo video's, The Epilepsy warning and the Cinematic intro movie.
After that the game will start Dune Awakening without running the Funcom launcher.


Why don't you give us a download link?
Bottom line: This is safer for everyone.
By doing this yourself you can see EXACTLY what you paste into the batch file. (No hidden surprises)
And you can't accidentily catch a virus from whatever download site i may have used to provide the file, which is in terms safer for you all.

To create the batch file we start by opening up a text editor.
for this guide i will refer to Notepad because everyone should have access to this without any downloads.

When it is open, copy and paste the following text inside


For those curious:
the above list contains all the logo videos and the intro cutscene for the game.
del is the CMD command for deleting a file
start is the CMD command used to run programs, programs can be run without it, but if we don't use start, the CMD prompt will stay open, instead of closing itself after it's done.
(which saves you a click each time you start Dune :P)

Note:

If you want to keep the Game's intro cinematic video remove

del DuneSandBox\Content\Movies\IntroMovie\InitialIntro4k.bk2

before saving the file.

After this, Click File -> Save As...
First pick a location where to save the batch file, for sake of ease i recommend the Desktop.
Then input a filename and make sure you type .bat at the end of the name.
(for Example: NoIntros.bat, i will be using this name for the remainder of the guide, so if you name your file differently, keep this in mind.)

When all is done you should have a file that looks like this:
(It's possible the .bat portion is not visible, this depends on your explorer settings)

Now that we've made the batch file it's time to place it in the right spot and setup steam so it uses it to run the game.

First we need to place the batch file in the Dune Awakening install folder, this folder can be opened really easily straight from steam by rightclicking on Dune Awakening and clicking on "Browse Local Files" which is found under "Manage" (See screenshot)




With this folder open, Copy/Cut and paste the Batch file into the folder you've just opened.
When you're done the folder should look something like this:



Before closing the window with Dune's install directory, click on the adress bar at the top so it selects the entire text and copy it to your clipboard (you'll need it later)

Here's an example using Steam's default install directory:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DuneAwakening\

Now we need to do is make steam use the batch file to run the game instead of the funcom launcher.

To do this we need to change the "launch options" for Dune Awakening which can be accessed by Rightclicking on the game in your library and clicking Properties (See Screenshot)




This opens a new window, with at the bottom a box called "Launch options"
Select the box and paste the text you copies from the adress bar earlier.

Then add \NoIntros.bat %command% at the end of the line.

Note:
If your Install path has spaces in it (like the one above) make sure to use Quotation marks or else it won't work!
Make sure %command% is NOT inside the quotation marks (See example below)

The end result using Steam's default installation directory should look like this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DuneAwakening\NoIntros.bat" %command%


Here's a screenshot with the same example:

With all this stuff done, running Dune Awakening from your steam library should result in a CMD window popping up for a fraction of a second, then dissapearing and shorty after this Dune should start, bypassing the Funcom launcher.

Sadly enough this does NOT kill the annoying "Display driver popup", if i find a way to kill that, i'll update this guide.
My creed on that popup is as follows:

If it isn't broken, don't "fix" it

This means that if your Display driver works without issues, the game runs smoothly AND it doesn't crash constantly, Don't update your drivers.

If for some reason you don't want to use the batch file anymore, all you have to do is empty the Launch Options text box.



Afterwards, delete NoIntros.bat from your Dune install folder and you're done.

Like my content?
Please like and share this guide with your friends,
If you feel especially generous maybe consider buying me a cup of coffee
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The following information is not important for most users, but since certain websites seem to love STEAL steam guides i've started putting this section down here everytime i make a guide now:

This stuff is MINE, i made it and NO you cannot post it on your stupid website without my damn consent, Don't steal someone's guides without asking for permission!


(YES: i mean you gameplay.tips (and every other website doing the same kind of crap))