As the release date for Dune: Awakening approaches, the team at Funcom is gearing up for what could be a bustling launch in June. They've shared insights into their server preparations and what fans can look forward to during the upcoming large-scale beta weekend. Dive into the details below to get the full scoop on Funcom’s plans for Dune: Awakening.
Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates
Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared
With Dune: Awakening nearing its launch, Funcom is confident in their readiness for a potentially crowded start. In a recent Steam post dated May 7, the developer tackled key concerns raised after the first closed beta, particularly about server capacity and large-scale multiplayer dynamics.
Upon starting the game, players will select a server within a designated World, which will consist of at least 20 servers. This setup allows for interactions between players across different servers within the same World.
Despite these assurances, some fans have voiced concerns over server load and potential queues. Funcom anticipates a significant load at launch and aims to have "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch."
Funcom emphasized the dynamic nature of server populations: "While a Hagga Basin server can support 40 players at once, the daily ebb and flow means it can accommodate several hundred players choosing it as their home server." The studio has rigorously tested these systems during the closed beta and implemented measures to limit character creation on overly popular servers, minimizing the risk of servers becoming full.
Although Dune: Awakening is designed with large-scale multiplayer in mind, it also supports solo play on Arrakis. However, single-player and private servers won't be available at launch but are planned for future updates.
What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend
Ahead of the official release, Dune: Awakening is set to host a large-scale beta weekend. Funcom has outlined what players can expect during this event in a post on the game's official website dated May 8.
To participate in the beta weekend, fans can wishlist and request access on the game's Steam page, sign up via the official website, or obtain an access code during the Global LAN party on May 10.
The beta will run from May 9 to May 12, and you can find the streaming schedule for your region below:
During the beta, players will experience the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering early to mid-game content. This includes access to the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Regions, the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has confirmed that progress made during the beta weekend will not transfer to the full game.
Dune: Awakening is scheduled for release on PC on June 10, 2025, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. Keep an eye on our updates for the latest news on the game!
