Funcom urged us to "let them cook," and judging by last night's Dune: Awakening showcase, the team has delivered. With the early access "head start" just days away, Funcom hosted a livestream demonstrating Dune: Awakening's mid-to-late game content, along with an extensive tour of Hagga Basin to highlight the game's "scale and diversity." Viewers saw everything from "the verdant O'odham region to the treacherous Hagga Rift and the towering spires of Jabal Eifrit."
Drawing inspiration from Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment's cinematic adaptations, Dune: Awakening marks the first time players can freely explore Arrakis in an open-world format. Beta testers had only experienced about 25% of Hagga Basin until now, making this full reveal particularly exciting as it showcased the "expansive and varied landscapes" in unprecedented detail.
"Before venturing into the endless dunes and perils of the Deep Desert, players will engage with a comprehensive survival experience," Funcom revealed.
"They'll advance through the ranks of House Atreides or Harkonnen; construct formidable bases; conquer Imperial Testing Stations; unlock advanced schematics; and conduct expeditions using specialized vehicles – among many other features." Additionally, the "Landsraad system empowers all players to contribute to their faction's progress, whether through PvE or PvP activities."
Dune: Awakening is a survival MMO set on the universe's most hostile planet. Players must master Fremen survival techniques while expanding their influence through combat, spice harvesting, construction, and commerce. Following a three-week delay to address beta feedback, the game launches June 10, 2025 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Those with early access gain entry five days prior on June 5.
"As a devoted Dune enthusiast, the opportunity to immerse myself in this beloved universe has been extraordinary. Funcom's commitment to worldbuilding shines through, despite taking creative liberties by establishing Awakening as part of an alternate canon," we noted in IGN's Dune: Awakening closed beta impressions.
"The development team's meticulous attention to detail significantly impacts gameplay. Without spoiling specifics, these thoughtful touches extend to every element – including faction dynamics and character interactions – making for a particularly rewarding experience for franchise fans."
For additional information, explore coverage of the MMO's monetization approach and future content roadmap.
