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

Funcom, the developer behind the upcoming multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on its business model and post-launch plans. The game, inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, is set for a full launch on May 20, dispelling any rumors of an Early Access release.

In a move that will delight fans, Funcom has confirmed that Dune: Awakening will not require a subscription despite being categorized as an MMO. Instead, the studio will adopt a "classic business model" featuring free updates alongside optional DLCs. This approach mirrors the successful strategy used with their other long-standing MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions long after their initial release. Funcom assures players that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, expanding with free updates that introduce new content, features, and enhancements.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more, the Deluxe Edition ($69.99) and Ultimate Edition ($89.99) offer additional perks. Both higher-tier editions grant a five-day head start and several unique items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass, unlocking four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch. The Deluxe Edition additionally features the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force players must evade in-game. The Ultimate Edition encompasses everything in 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, complete with building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition of the game rewards players with a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, as well as the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

Funcom also detailed Dune: Awakening's PC features and system requirements. The game supports cutting-edge technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring a smooth gaming experience on a variety of hardware.

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 Dune: Awakening, check out IGN’s final preview to learn more about what the game has to offer.