Dune: Awakening will be Ready for Thousands Of Players, Says Developer

Dune: Awakening's studio, Funcom, is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch as they prepare for a large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's detailed plans for server management and what fans can look forward to.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As Dune: Awakening approaches its release date, Funcom is reassuring fans that they are ready to handle a bustling launch in June. In a Steam post dated May 7, the developer addressed key concerns raised after the initial closed beta, particularly regarding server capacity and large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

At the outset, players will select a server to call home, which will be part of a broader World containing at least 20 servers. This setup allows players to interact with others across different servers within the same World.

However, concerns about server load and potential queues have been voiced by the community. Funcom anticipates a heavy load at launch, with some servers possibly reaching their limits. They've promised "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch" to manage this.

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can handle 40 concurrent players, the daily fluctuations mean it can support several hundred choosing it as their home server." They've thoroughly tested this during the closed beta and have systems in place to limit new character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the risk of servers becoming full.

While Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, it's designed to be enjoyable solo as well. Players can explore Arrakis alone within the multiplayer environment. Single-player and private servers won't be available at launch but are planned for post-launch updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Before the official launch, the game's large-scale beta weekend is approaching, and Funcom has shared insights on what to expect. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website dated May 8, they detailed the upcoming beta's features.

Access to the beta weekend can be secured by wishlisting and requesting access on the game's Steam page, signing up on the official website, or obtaining an access code at the Global LAN party on May 10.

The large-scale beta will run from May 9 to May 12. Check out the timetable below to see when the stream starts in your region:

According to Funcom, the beta will feature the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering early to mid-game content. Additional elements include the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap regions, access to the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and parts of Act I of the story. It's important to note that progress made during the beta weekend will not carry over to the full game.

Dune: Awakening is slated for release on June 10, 2025, for PC, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow at a yet-to-be-announced date. Stay updated with the latest news by checking out our article below!