Funcom encouraged us to "let them work their magic," and after last night's Dune: Awakening showcase, it's clear the developers delivered. Just days before early access players gain their "head start," Funcom hosted a livestream highlighting Dune: Awakening's mid-to-endgame content along with an extensive tour of Hagga Basin—"showcasing the scale and variety players can expect," from the "verdant O'odham to the treacherous Hagga Rift, and the towering spires of Jabal Eifrit, among other landscapes."
Drawing inspiration from Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment's blockbuster films, Dune: Awakening marks the first open-world exploration of Arrakis in gaming. Until now, beta testers had only experienced about 25% of Hagga Basin, making this stream a grand unveiling of the region’s "vast, diverse environments."
"Before even venturing into the endless dunes and perils of the Deep Desert, players will engage in a fully realized survival experience," Funcom hinted.
"They’ll ascend through Atreides or Harkonnen ranks; construct formidable strongholds; brave Imperial Testing Stations; craft advanced schematics; and traverse the landscape in a variety of vehicles—and that’s just the beginning." Beyond this, the "Landsraad system enables players to contribute to their faction’s progress, regardless of whether they favor PvE or PvP."
Dune: Awakening is an open-world survival MMO set on the universe’s most lethal planet. Survival demands mastering Fremen techniques, while progression unfolds through combat, spice harvesting, construction, and trade. Originally slated for release on June 10, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, the game faced a three-week delay to address beta feedback. However, early-access players can dive in five days sooner, starting June 5.
"As a longtime Dune enthusiast, exploring this world—rich with lore and immersive details—is incredibly rewarding. Funcom has clearly invested deep care in worldbuilding, even while taking creative liberties by situating Awakening in a parallel canon to the books and films," we noted in IGN’s Dune: Awakening closed beta impressions.
"Small yet impactful touches influence gameplay in meaningful ways. Without spoiling specifics, this meticulous attention extends to factions and characters, promising an authentic treat for franchise fans."
For additional insights, explore details on the MMO’s business model and post-launch roadmap.
