Dune: Awakening Dev Confirms Full Launch Release, 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. They've confirmed that the eagerly awaited release date of May 20 is set for the "full launch," rather than an Early Access phase. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its cinematic adaptations, will not feature a subscription model, despite its classification as an MMO.

Instead, Funcom plans to keep the game evolving through free updates that introduce new content and features. They will also adopt a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs. The developer highlights their commitment to long-term support, drawing parallels with their other successful MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions well after their initial release. Funcom assures that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, with continuous free updates enhancing the game's content, features, and overall experience.

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, both offer a five-day head start along with exclusive items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include the Season Pass, which grants access to four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch.

Purchasing the Deluxe Edition also provides the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that players will evade in the game. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all the benefits of the Deluxe Edition and adds 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 comes with a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, plus the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

The Dune: Awakening Ultimate Edition. Image credit: Funcom. Funcom has also detailed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening. Notably, the game supports Nvidia's DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS 2 technologies.