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

Funcom, the developer behind the highly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has recently provided an exciting update on the game’s business model and post-launch strategy. The studio has confirmed that the game will have a "full launch" on May 20, rather than an Early Access release. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, will not require a subscription despite being categorized as an MMO.

Instead of a subscription, Funcom plans to enhance the game through free updates that will introduce new content and features. The studio will also adopt a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs. This approach is consistent with how Funcom supports its other long-running MMOs, such as Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions years after their initial launch. Funcom assures fans that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, promising ongoing expansion through free updates that bring new content, features, and enhancements.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more exclusive content, the Deluxe Edition ($69.99) and Ultimate Edition ($89.99) are available, offering players a five-day head start and various unique items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass that unlocks four DLCs over time, with the first DLC available at launch.

With the Deluxe Edition, players will receive the armor of the Sardaukar, the feared elite military force that hunts players in the game. The Ultimate Edition includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, plus Paul Atreides’ iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, which features building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition of the game grants players a universal color pattern that can be applied to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an in-base decoration that houses the iconic desert mouse.

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.

Dune: Awakening PC System Requirements:

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-7400, AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB), AMD Radeon 5600XT (6GB)
• Storage: 60 GB available space

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8GB), AMD Radeon 6700XT (12GB)
• Storage: 75 GB available space

For a deeper dive into what Dune: Awakening has to offer, check out IGN’s final preview of the game.