Dune: Awakening is set to officially launch on June 10, 2025, for Windows PC via Steam, with early access beginning June 5 for those who pre-order the Deluxe ($69.99) or Ultimate Edition ($89.99). The standard edition is priced at $49.99.
This massive open-world survival MMO is Funcom’s most ambitious project yet, plunging players deep into the unforgiving sands of Arrakis, the legendary desert world at the heart of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. With a new take on the timeline and a persistent online world, Dune: Awakening aims to blend survival gameplay, political intrigue, and player-driven economy into something unlike anything else on the market.
What’s New: Character Creator and Beta Weekend
Ahead of release, Funcom has launched a Character Creator & Benchmark Tool, letting players experiment with customization options and check their PC’s performance. This standalone download also serves as a teaser for the game’s powerful Unreal Engine 5 visuals and depth of character detail.
Even more exciting: a beta weekend is scheduled for May 9–12, giving early registrants a chance to test roughly 20 hours of gameplay. The feedback from this event will help shape last-minute balancing and tuning before launch.
The Story: A Twisted Timeline on Arrakis
Unlike the novels or movies, Dune: Awakening doesn’t follow the familiar path of Paul Atreides. In this alternate timeline, Paul was never born, leading to a destabilized Arrakis locked in brutal conflict. The Fremen have vanished, the Spice Wars rage on, and House Atreides and House Harkonnen are locked in an endless civil war. Players enter this volatile landscape with nothing—and must rise to power or be swallowed by the dunes.
Key Gameplay Features
Survival Meets Strategy
- Environmental Hazards: Manage hydration, avoid heatstroke, and take shelter during vicious sandstorms. Sandworms roam the open desert, drawn to rhythmic movement and spice harvesting.
- Base Building: Construct player-owned outposts and fortresses using harvested materials. Pay taxes to the Padishah Emperor to retain land rights—or risk having your structures demolished.
- Coriolis Storms: Weekly in-game storms reshape the world, changing access points, redistributing resources, and introducing fresh danger zones. This keeps exploration and territory control constantly in flux.
MMO Systems & Faction Warfare
- Massively Multiplayer World: You’ll share Arrakis with thousands of players, all competing for land, spice, and influence. PvP zones and political intrigue are central to progression.
- Faction Alignment: Pledge loyalty to House Atreides or House Harkonnen, opening unique questlines, tech trees, and faction-based warfare. Your political decisions have long-term consequences.
- Spice as Power: Spice not only acts as currency—it grants special abilities like heightened perception and foresight, giving an edge in combat and exploration.
Editions & Early Access
| Edition | Price | Early Access | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $49.99 | No | Full game on June 10 |
| Deluxe | $69.99 | Yes, June 5 | Game + Exclusive cosmetics & perks |
| Ultimate | $89.99 | Yes, June 5 | All Deluxe content + Battle Pass & bonus items |
Console Launch Plans
While the PC version is locked in for June, console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are still in development with no confirmed release window. Funcom has stated they’re aiming for platform parity post-launch, but PC will remain the flagship version for now.
Why Dune: Awakening Stands Out
This isn’t just another survival MMO. Dune: Awakening combines Rust-style resource management with EVE Online-level political complexity and a rich science fiction setting that hasn’t been explored to its full potential in games. With lore-accurate attention to detail, systems like spice addiction, sandworm detection, and desert ecology promise a truly immersive experience.
Whether you’re a Dune fan or a survival MMO enthusiast, this game represents a major evolution in the genre—one where your choices shape your rise to power in one of sci-fi’s most dangerous worlds.
Key Takeaways
- Dune: Awakening launches on PC via Steam on June 5, 2025, priced at $49.99.
- Players can access the Character Creator & Benchmark Mode now to prepare for the full game release.
- Console release dates for the survival MMO set in Frank Herbert’s universe are still pending announcement.
Game Overview
Dune: Awakening is an ambitious survival MMO set in the iconic world of Arrakis, scheduled for release on June 5, 2025. The game combines elements of survival gameplay with a persistent online world, allowing players to navigate the harsh desert landscape made famous by Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece.
Setting & Background
Dune: Awakening takes place on the desert planet Arrakis, home to the valuable resource known as Spice. The game draws from the rich lore of the Dune universe, featuring familiar factions like House Atreides, House Harkonnen, the Fremen, and the Bene Gesserit.
Players will encounter the deadly Sandworms and navigate political intrigue between the Great Houses. The game’s world is shaped by harsh environmental conditions including devastating sandstorms that can completely alter the landscape.
The setting captures the essence of Herbert’s vision – a world where water is precious and survival requires adaptation to extreme conditions. The struggle for control of Spice, the most valuable substance in the universe, drives much of the conflict and gameplay.
Gameplay & Features
As a survival MMO, Dune: Awakening challenges players to establish a foothold on Arrakis. The game features robust character creation tools allowing customization of your potential Fremen, House member, or independent survivor.
Combat includes both melee and ranged options, with players able to master the fighting styles reminiscent of those in the Dune universe. The Gom Jabbar test might even play a role in determining character traits.
Exploration is a key component, with vast desert regions to discover and exploit. Players can join guilds or form alliances to control territory and Spice harvesting operations.
The game incorporates base building, resource management, and political maneuvering. Water conservation is critical, and players must balance resource collection with the constant threat of drawing the attention of massive sandworms.
System Requirements & Performance
Funcom has optimized Dune: Awakening with several cutting-edge technologies to enhance performance. The game supports NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 2 for improved frame rates without visual quality loss.
The game uses Multi Frame Generation technology to maximize performance on compatible hardware. Minimum specifications include:
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 100GB available space (SSD recommended)
For ultra settings, players will need more powerful hardware such as recent RTX or Radeon cards. Benchmark tools are included to help players optimize their settings.
PC is the initial platform with the game launching on Steam. Early access buyers who pre-purchase will get to start playing 5 days before the full release date. Console versions have been mentioned but release dates haven’t been announced yet.
Release Information & Special Editions
Dune: Awakening has been officially announced with a standard price of $49.99 and a release date set for June 5, 2025. Multiple editions will be available for players looking to enhance their experience in this survival MMO based on Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi universe.
Availability & Launch Date
Dune: Awakening will launch on June 5, 2025, as confirmed by developer Funcom. The game will initially release on PC through Steam, with console versions planned for later dates. This represents the full release of the game rather than an Early Access version, which is notable for a survival MMO.
Pre-orders are currently open, allowing players to secure their copy ahead of the launch. Funcom has clarified that the June release will include the complete base game experience.
The developers have emphasized that this release date marks the beginning of their post-launch support plans, with additional content expected to follow the initial release.
Editions & Bonus Content
Several editions of Dune: Awakening will be available for purchase:
Standard Edition ($49.99)
- Base game
- Basic access to all core features
Deluxe Edition
- Base game
- Exclusive Frameblade Knife Skin
- Early character creation access
- Additional cosmetic items
Collector’s Edition
- All Deluxe Edition content
- Digital artbook
- Soundtrack
- Premium in-game items
- Exclusive desert-themed character skins
Pre-ordering any edition grants players access to the Character Creator ahead of launch, allowing them to design their avatar before stepping onto Arrakis. This gives fans a chance to prepare their desert survivor’s appearance.
System Compatibility & Benchmarks
Dune: Awakening will require relatively modern hardware to run properly in the harsh desert environment. The recommended specifications include:
Minimum Requirements:
- CPU: Intel i5-8600K or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 5600 XT
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: SSD required
- Expected performance: 1080p at 30 FPS on Low settings
Recommended Requirements:
- CPU: Intel i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6700 XT
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: SSD
- Expected performance: 1440p at 60 FPS on High settings
For optimal 4K gaming at 60 FPS, players will need high-end hardware such as an RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT. The game includes a benchmark mode to help players find their ideal settings before venturing into the survival challenges of Arrakis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Players preparing for Dune: Awakening have many important questions about its upcoming release. The game has generated significant interest with its announced launch date and promised features.
What is the expected release window for Dune: Awakening on multiple platforms?
Dune: Awakening is scheduled to release on June 5, 2025, for PC platforms. Console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will follow later in 2025.
Developer Funcom has confirmed this date represents the full launch of the game, not an early access release. The PC version will debut first, with console versions requiring additional development time.
Will there be an open beta for Dune: Awakening, and how can players participate?
Information about a potential open beta has not been officially announced by Funcom. Players interested in early access opportunities should monitor the official Dune: Awakening website and social media channels.
The developer may offer testing phases before the June 2025 release. These could include closed alpha tests, beta weekends, or stress tests that require sign-ups through the official website.
Can users expect cross-platform compatibility for Dune: Awakening?
Cross-platform play has not been confirmed for Dune: Awakening. The staggered release between PC and consoles suggests initial platform separation.
Funcom may implement cross-play functionality after all versions are released. Many modern multiplayer survival games eventually support this feature to maintain a healthy player population.
Are there any exclusive features for Dune: Awakening on next-gen consoles?
No exclusive console features have been announced for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions. The console releases are expected to maintain feature parity with the PC version.
Next-gen consoles will likely utilize their hardware capabilities for improved loading times and graphical fidelity. Specific optimizations may be announced closer to the console launch date.
How will Dune: Awakening implement narrative elements into the gameplay?
Dune: Awakening will integrate narrative elements within its open-world survival framework. The game draws from Frank Herbert’s universe while creating its own survival experience.
Players can expect story progression through exploration, faction interactions, and environmental storytelling. The vast desert planet of Arrakis will serve as both setting and narrative device.
