Dune: Awakening, the ambitious open-world survival MMO from Funcom, is heating up as its Beta Weekend draws players deep into the sands of Arrakis. Following months of anticipation, new previews reveal what players can expect during this closed testing phase—and even more impressively, what awaits at full launch.
Inspired by the world-building of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, the game blends survival mechanics, exploration, faction politics, and complex PvP/PvE systems in an ever-evolving multiplayer world. With hundreds of players per server and a shared social economy, Dune: Awakening aims to be a genre-defining MMO.
Beta Weekend: A Taste of the Desert
Players diving into the Beta Weekend are getting access to a substantial portion of early- to mid-game content. Here’s what’s included:
- 20–25 hours of gameplay, covering early game systems and progression.
- Exploration of the Hagga Basin South Region and the Vermilius Gap (East and West).
- Act I of the story, providing narrative foundation and immersive lore.
- Ability to build with the CHOAM Building Set.
- Early combat access and the chance to assemble and drive The Sandbike—a key traversal vehicle.
The beta sets the tone for what players can expect from the survival experience: resource gathering, faction skirmishes, exploration of uncharted terrain, and alliance building in a harsh, beautiful world.
Full Launch: Expanding the World of Arrakis
Upon launch, Dune: Awakening will dramatically expand its scope, offering players a deeper dive into the sprawling world of Arrakis.
Key launch features include:
- Hundreds of hours of mid-to-late game content
- The full story campaign, completing Act I and beyond
- 9 new regions added to the Hagga Basin, including locations like Shoel, The Shield Wall, and The O’odham
- The Overland Map, allowing players to traverse between multiple biomes
- Central hubs such as Arrakeen and Harko Village, where players meet to trade, socialize, and plan
Vehicle diversity also increases at launch, with players able to assemble and pilot Ornithopters and Buggies, adding new layers to mobility and exploration.
Faction Progression, Deep Politics & Endgame Systems
At launch, players will also experience Dune: Awakening‘s signature systems in full force:
- The Deep Desert: An endgame zone where weekly resets and Coriolis Storms force players and factions into intense PvPvE battles over spice and loot.
- The Landsraad: A unique political meta-game where players choose between House Atreides and House Harkonnen, influencing server-wide policies.
- Faction-based progression, granting exclusive access to gear, building sets, and weapons.
- Advanced combat systems, offering more depth in weaponry, abilities, and enemy types.
- Social features, including The Exchange, a cross-server trading system.
Final Thoughts: An MMO Built on Spice and Strategy
With its upcoming release, Dune: Awakening is shaping up to be a defining title in the survival MMO genre. Combining deep lore, strategic gameplay, political systems, and stunning visuals, it promises a world where players can not only survive—but thrive, scheme, conquer, and shape the fate of Arrakis itself.