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

Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update regarding the game’s business model and post-launch strategy. Mark your calendars for May 20, as this marks the full launch of the game, not just an Early Access release.

Inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its cinematic adaptations, Dune: Awakening is a multiplayer survival game that will not require a subscription, despite its classification as an MMO. Instead, Funcom plans to keep the game fresh and engaging through regular free updates that introduce new content and features. Additionally, the studio will follow a classic business model by offering optional DLCs.

Funcom is known for its dedication to long-term support, as seen with their other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions years after their initial launch. Dune: Awakening will follow suit, with Funcom promising ongoing enhancements and new content to keep the community engaged.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer additional perks. Both premium editions include a five-day head start and various unique items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions come with a Season Pass that unlocks four DLCs over time, starting with the first at launch.

Deluxe Edition buyers will receive the armor of the Sardaukar, the game's elite military force that hunts players. The Ultimate Edition includes all 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.

Pre-ordering any edition rewards players with 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 has also outlined the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening. The game supports advanced technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring top-notch graphics performance.

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 insights into Dune: Awakening, be sure to check out IGN’s final preview of the game.