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

Funcom, the developer behind the highly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has provided exciting updates on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the full launch is set for May 20. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its cinematic adaptations, will not require a subscription, despite its MMO classification.

Instead of a subscription, Funcom plans to enrich Dune: Awakening through a series of free updates that will introduce new content and features. The game will adopt a "classic business model" with optional DLCs, mirroring the support model used for their other long-standing MMOs such as Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles. These titles have continued to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions years after their initial release, and Dune: Awakening is promised to follow suit, ensuring a continually evolving gaming experience.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition ($69.99) and Ultimate Edition ($89.99) offer additional perks. Both premium editions grant players a five-day head start and exclusive items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass, which unlocks four DLCs over time, starting with the first at launch. The Deluxe Edition additionally features the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that players must evade in the game.

The Ultimate Edition goes even further, bundling all the Deluxe Edition content with 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, along with the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, a decorative in-base item featuring the 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 graphics technologies such as Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring top-notch visual performance.

Minimum System Requirements: