Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly awaited Dune: Awakening, has provided a significant update on the game’s business model and what players can expect post-launch. The game, drawing inspiration from Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its subsequent movie adaptations, is set for a "full launch" on May 20, bypassing the Early Access phase.
Contrary to expectations for an MMO, Dune: Awakening will not require a subscription. Instead, Funcom plans to enrich the game with free updates that introduce new content and features. The studio will also adhere to a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs. This approach mirrors the support Funcom has provided for its other long-standing 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, promising ongoing enhancements and new content through free updates.
The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more, the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer additional perks, including a five-day head start and exclusive items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass, which grants access to four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch. The Deluxe Edition also features the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite force that hunts players in the game. The Ultimate Edition goes further, adding 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, along with the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.
Funcom has also detailed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening. The game supports advanced graphics technologies such as Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring a visually stunning experience.
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, check out IGN’s final preview of the game.
