Talk:Shaddam IV/DE

Is Shaddam IV a ghola?
Given the semi-canonicity of the game Emperor - Battle for Dune, in that Vladimir Harkonnen (from the movie and mini-series) is the son of Gunseng Harkonnen (from the game) according to the Encyclopedia, I wonder how far this is actually true for the Emperor himself.

In the beginning of the Ordos-campaign, we are informed that Shaddam IV has died in some assassination and are introduced to a ghola of him, which the two Sardaukar-generals react to differently; one recognising him right away and treating him with respect, the other calling it a trick, a lie, and even pointing a gun at it. According to the Ordos mentat, the Ix managed to sneak off some DNA from the dead body and the Ordos bought it and created that ghola. If the player finishes the Ordos-campaign successfully, this ghola becomes the new Padishah Emperor. Essentially, the Ordos are in control of the Empire, by the puppet of the Emperor.

Obviously, it is a dubious matter, since regarding games as canon-material are a rather ciritcal thing. But the game has already given us several background-info, like the ancestry of Vladimir (Gunseng and his family), the rough era (at least 50 years prior to the movies), and expanded upon various topics that the movies and mini-series only marginally brushed on; like the Landsraat and so forth. Things that the Dune Encyclopedia has taken up and actually made canon - or that the game developers (Westwood) picked up and adapted, whichever came first (This I don't know).

It would certain explain why Shaddam IV, who was formerly very well allied with the Atreides (Leto I being a relative), suddenly felt threatened by them. Obviously, the rising popularity would be the superficial reason, but if they really were related, this would be of a lesser issue as the title of Emperor still remained in the (larger) family. With Shaddam IV being a ghola-puppet for the Ordos, the rising popularity of a different, opposing, House would mean the prospect of losing rulership altogether. And with that, the control of the Spice and control of the economy. So, the House Ordos being the sneaky and subversive kind, schemed a plan to crush the Atreides and the rivalling Harkonnen for good.

We know that the Emperor in Dune 2k and Emperor - Battle for Dune is called Frederick (IV) Corrino. But what if Frederick IV and Shaddam IV are essentially the same people? The Ordos mentat (mistakenly) referred to Frederick IV as Shaddam IV. They look the same (at least similar enough to assume that one was a less emaciated by all the stress and responsiblity), dress the same, have the same traits and gestures. 46.223.128.35 08:14, March 6, 2017 (UTC)