Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy. They've confirmed that the full launch of the multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, is set for May 20. Importantly, Dune: Awakening will not follow a subscription-based model despite its classification as an MMO.
Instead, Funcom plans to enhance the game through a series of free updates that will introduce new content, features, and enhancements. The studio will also adopt a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs. Funcom draws on its experience with long-standing MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions well after their initial release. "Dune: Awakening will be no exception, and it will continue to expand with free updates bringing new content, features, and enhancements," Funcom stated.
The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition costs $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition is available for $89.99. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions provide players with a five-day head start and several exclusive items. The Season Pass, included in these editions, will unlock four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch.
The Deluxe Edition includes the armor of the Sardaukar, the game's elite military force known for hunting players. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all Deluxe Edition content and adds 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 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 featuring the iconic desert mouse.
Funcom has also detailed Dune: Awakening's PC features and system requirements. Notably, the game supports Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2 technologies.
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 more detailed insights into Dune: Awakening, check out IGN's final preview of the game.
