Dune: Awakening — the new multiplayer survival game set in an open world inspired by the iconic "Dune" universe, is soon to be available to players: the exact release date, available editions, and other details about the upcoming game have been announced.

Dune Awakening Release Date and Early Access

The official release of "Dune: Awakening" is set for June 10, but those who pre-order the Deluxe or Ultimate editions will gain early access starting June 5. These five extra days will allow players to establish themselves on Arrakis ahead of others: build a base, gather resources, and secure strategically important positions. It's worth noting that this is not a beta test or an early trial version—buyers of the extended editions will receive the full game earlier.

Dune Awakening Pricing and Edition Options

Developers are offering players three different editions of the same game, each with its own set of additional content.

Pre-order Bonuses for Dune Awakening

All pre-orders, regardless of the version, include unique cosmetic items. One of the most notable is the Terrarium Of Muad'Dib—a small but intriguing decoration inspired by a well-known piece of lore.

Additionally, all players will receive the Sunset Dye, which can be used to customize weapons, armor, and vehicles. Buyers of the Deluxe and Ultimate editions will also receive Saradaukar armor, exclusive vehicle skins, the Caladan Palace building set, and many other interesting bonus elements.

Dune: Awakening Platforms to play on

Initially, Dune: Awakening will be available only for PC and launches exclusively on Steam. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are in development, but exact release dates have not yet been announced. Funcom has stated that they aim to achieve platform parity after launch, although PC will remain the primary platform at the start.

Preparing for Launch: Character Editor and Benchmark Mode

From May 9 to May 12, Funcom will host a beta weekend. Registered players will be able to experience up to 20 hours of content and provide feedback and thoughts about the game. Developers have also provided a way for players to prepare for the release of Dune Awakening by releasing a separate program — Character Creator & Benchmark Tool. It allows you to create your character in advance and check the game's performance on your system to see if it will run well on your setup.

The editor allows you not only to choose appearance but also home planet, social origin, and mentor (choices include: Bene Gesserit, swordsman, mentat, or soldier). Each choice affects initial skills. The tool also showcases real visual scenes from the game—from flying in an ornithopter to encountering a giant sandworm, all rendered in Unreal Engine 5.

Performance and System Requirements

Funcom has taken game performance seriously, implementing support for NVIDIA DLSS 4, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 2. Minimum requirements include a GTX 1060 or RX 580 and 16 GB of RAM.

For high settings at 1440p, an RTX 3070 or RX 6700 XT is recommended. For 4K gaming at 60 FPS, a more powerful graphics card like the RTX 4070 is needed. The benchmark allows you to adjust settings to suit your specific hardware.

Below you can see the full system requirements for Dune: Awakening:

What Dune: Awakening is About

The game takes place in a version of Arrakis where Paul Atreides was never born. Without his unifying role, the planet is mired in endless conflict. The Atreides and Harkonnens are engaged in civil war, the Fremen have vanished, and the desert belongs to no one. In this chaos, players can carve their own path to power through strategy, diplomacy, and force.

Dune Awakening Gameplay: Survival Mechanics and Dynamic Game World

Surviving on Arrakis is no easy task. You must manage thirst, body temperature, and avoid sandstorms. Sandworms react to vibrations and spice extraction. Regular Coriolis storms change the map, open new passages, and redistribute resources, forcing players to constantly adapt.

The building system allows for creating bases and defensive structures. Land ownership requires paying a tax to the Emperor. Otherwise, everything built can be destroyed. PvP zones, alliances with factions, and a player-driven economy are at the core of development. Spice is not just currency—it grants extraordinary abilities and enhances combat characteristics.

Factions and Player Politics

Players can join House Atreides or Harkonnen. This opens up unique technology branches, quests, and long-term political consequences. The choice of faction affects not only gameplay but also territory control. Power, influence, and betrayal are all crucial elements of survival.

What Makes Dune: Awakening Unique

Funcom hasn't just layered the Dune setting over a classic MMO. This game combines open-world survival elements (like in Rust) with deep political and economic mechanics similar to EVE Online. Spice serves as both currency and a source of gameplay possibilities—it enhances perception and provides tactical advantages. Every decision, from faction choice to base placement in an unstable region, has strategic consequences.

Post-Launch Plans

Funcom has confirmed that Dune: Awakening will receive regular free updates. Paid DLC is also part of the game's support plan. Owners of the Deluxe and Ultimate versions will automatically receive the first season pass, which includes four planned content expansions. These will expand the storyline, add new mechanics, and maintain interest in the game.

Why Dune: Awakening Might Change the Survival MMO Genre

Dune: Awakening is not just another survival game set in a sci-fi setting. It has the potential to completely redefine open-world MMOs. It combines resource management like Rust, the political depth of EVE Online, and the vast mythology of "Dune." Mechanics like spice dependency, world-changing storms, and faction warfare will make the game truly unique.