Dune: Awakening Set for Full Launch, Optional DLCs Planned

Funcom, the developer behind Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the eagerly awaited May 20 release will mark the game's full launch, rather than an Early Access phase. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its cinematic adaptations, will not feature a subscription model, despite its classification as an MMO.

Instead of a subscription, Funcom plans to enhance Dune: Awakening through regular free updates that will introduce new content and features. Additionally, the game will adopt a traditional business model with optional DLCs available for purchase. Funcom's commitment to this approach is evidenced by their successful track record with other long-standing MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions years after their initial launch. Funcom assures fans that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, promising continuous expansion and improvement.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition, costing $69.99, and the Ultimate Edition, at $89.99, offer players a five-day head start along with exclusive items. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass that will unlock four DLCs over time, with the first DLC available at launch. The Deluxe Edition also includes the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that hunts players within the game's universe. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all of the above, plus Paul Atreides’ iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, which features various building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition of Dune: Awakening rewards players with a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, as well as the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, a decorative in-base item that houses the iconic desert mouse.

Funcom has also detailed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening, confirming support for advanced graphics technologies such as Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2.

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-7400, AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB), AMD Radeon 5600XT (6GB)
• Storage: 60 GB available space

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8GB), AMD Radeon 6700XT (12GB)
• Storage: 75 GB available space

For a deeper dive into Dune: Awakening, check out IGN's final preview of the game.