Dune Awakening

Dune: Awakening is an upcoming open-world survival MMO (massively multiplayer online) video game developed and published by Funcom, set to release for Windows PC on June 10, 2025, with early access starting June 5 for Deluxe and Ultimate Edition buyers. Console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are planned for a later date, likely by the end of 2026. The game is set in an alternate timeline of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, where Paul Atreides was never born, Lady Jessica gave birth to a daughter, and Duke Leto Atreides survives, leading to a civil war between House Atreides and House Harkonnen on Arrakis. The Fremen have mysteriously vanished, and players take on the role of an undercover Bene Gesserit agent tasked with uncovering their fate and "awakening the Sleeper."

Key Features:

Gameplay: Combines survival and crafting mechanics with MMO elements, divided into four phases—Survive, Protect, Expand, and Control. Players start as a prisoner on Arrakis, scavenging resources, managing thirst, crafting items like stillsuits, and building shelters to survive environmental dangers like sandstorms, heatstroke, and sandworms. Open World: Explore a seamless, vast Arrakis (576 km² in the Deep Desert) with dynamic Coriolis storms that reshape the map weekly, offering new locations and challenges. Players can use iconic Dune tech like ornithopters and suspensor belts for exploration. Social hubs like Arrakeen and Harko Village allow trading and socializing. Combat: Features sandbox-style combat with ranged and melee weapons, abilities, and vehicles. Holtzman shields protect against fast attacks but allow slow melee strikes, staying true to Dune lore. PvP is optional, with the Deep Desert as a primary PvP zone, while PvE players can focus on story, crafting, or co-op activities like exploring Ecology Labs. Customization and Progression: Players create a customizable avatar, choose a mentor (e.g., Bene Gesserit, Mentat, Swordmaster) for unique abilities, and select a backstory that influences dialogue and traits. You can join House Atreides or Harkonnen, engage in faction-specific quests, or lead a guild to influence the server-wide Landsraad political system. Story and Setting: The alternate timeline allows creative freedom while staying rooted in Dune lore, with a cinematic storyline and in-game cutscenes. The game’s art direction draws inspiration from Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, and the soundtrack, composed by Knut Avenstroup Haugen, adapts dynamically to gameplay. Monetization: Buy-to-play with no monthly subscription, featuring regular free updates and a season system for new content. Players can trade blueprints on the CHOAM Exchange.

Development and Release:

Developed by Funcom (known for Conan Exiles) with co-developer NUKKLEAR, the game was announced in August 2022 as part of a partnership with Legendary Entertainment. It faced a three-week delay from its original May 20, 2025, launch to refine gameplay based on beta feedback. A large-scale beta from May 9-12, 2025, included 20 hours of content and most of Act 1. A Character Creator and Benchmark Tool is available on Steam to test system performance.

The game aims to balance survival, crafting, and MMO elements with deep Dune lore, offering a mix of solo and multiplayer experiences. For more details, check the official site (duneawakening.com) or Steam page.