The Golden Path (video game)

The Golden Path is an unreleased interactive fiction video game developed by Telarium, a subsidiary of Spinnaker Software, in the mid-1980s. Designed by author and programmer Mark Blank, it was based on Frank Herbert's Dune universe, specifically incorporating elements from the later novels in the series, God Emperor of Dune and Heretics of Dune.

The gameplay was intended to be text-based, with players making choices that would influence the narrative's progression. The title, "The Golden Path," refers to Leto II Atreides' prescient vision of a long-term strategy for humanity's survival, a key concept in God Emperor of Dune. The game's plot reportedly involved navigating the political complexities of the Dune universe, interacting with key characters, and ultimately striving to ensure the survival of humanity according to Leto II's plan.

The Golden Path was showcased at several trade shows and received some pre-release press coverage. However, due to the collapse of Spinnaker Software in 1986, the game was never commercially released. The completed or near-completed source code is rumored to exist, though its current whereabouts and accessibility are unknown. As a result, details about the specific gameplay mechanics, characters, and narrative arc are largely based on recollections from those who saw demonstrations or worked on the project, making definitive information scarce. Its status as an unreleased and potentially lost work has made it a subject of considerable interest among fans of both interactive fiction and the Dune series.