Funcom, the developer behind the much-anticipated Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy. The studio has confirmed that the game will fully launch on May 20, rather than entering Early Access. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, will not require a subscription despite its classification as an MMO.
Instead of a subscription model, Funcom plans to keep Dune: Awakening fresh and engaging with continuous free updates that introduce new content and features. The game will adopt a "classic business model," offering optional DLCs for players looking to enhance their experience. Funcom highlighted their commitment to long-term support by referencing their ongoing support for other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which have received free updates, DLCs, and expansions long after their initial releases. They assured that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, promising a continuously evolving game world.
The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those seeking more exclusive content, the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer additional perks. Both higher-tier editions include a five-day head start and several unique items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions come with a Season Pass, unlocking four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch. The Deluxe Edition also includes the armor of the Sardaukar, the game's elite military force known for hunting players. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all the Deluxe Edition content, plus Paul Atreides’ iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, complete with building pieces, placeables, and decorations.
Players who pre-order any edition of the game will receive a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.
Funcom also detailed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening. The game supports advanced graphics technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring optimal performance and visuals.
Minimum System Requirements:
- 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 System Requirements:
- 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, be sure to check out IGN’s final preview of the game.
