Dune: Awakening Dev Confirms Full Launch Date, No Subscription, Optional DLCs

Funcom, the developer behind the much-anticipated Dune: Awakening, has recently shed light on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the slated May 20 release will be a full launch, not an Early Access phase. Inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, this multiplayer survival game will steer clear of a subscription model, despite its classification as an MMO.

Instead, Funcom plans to enrich Dune: Awakening with free updates that introduce new content and features, adhering to a traditional business model that includes optional DLCs. The developer emphasized its commitment to ongoing support, drawing parallels with its long-standing MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions years after their initial release. "Dune: Awakening will be no exception, and it will continue to expand with free updates bringing new content, features, and enhancements," Funcom assured.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer players a five-day head start along with exclusive items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass that unlocks four DLCs over time, with the first DLC available at launch. The Deluxe Edition also features the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force players encounter in the game. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Edition encompasses all 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 includes building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition rewards players with a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, and the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

The Dune: Awakening Ultimate Edition. Image credit: Funcom.

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

Minimum System Requirements: