Funcom, the developer behind the upcoming multiplayer survival game *Dune: Awakening*, has recently provided an update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy. The much-anticipated title, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, is set for a "full launch" on May 20, rather than an Early Access release. This decision underscores Funcom's commitment to delivering a complete gaming experience from the get-go.
Contrary to expectations for a game labeled as an MMO, *Dune: Awakening* will not require a subscription to play. Instead, Funcom plans to enhance the game through a series of free updates that will introduce new content, features, and improvements over time. This approach aligns with their "classic business model," which includes the option for players to purchase DLCs if they choose to. Funcom's track record with other long-standing MMOs like *Anarchy Online* and *Conan Exiles*, which continue to receive free updates and expansions years after their initial release, serves as a testament to their dedication to ongoing support and development. Funcom assures that *Dune: Awakening* will follow suit, ensuring a continually evolving experience for players.
The game will be available in three editions at launch: the Standard Edition priced at $49.99, the Deluxe Edition at $69.99, and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions offer a five-day head start along with several unique in-game items. The Deluxe Edition includes the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that players will encounter as adversaries. The Ultimate Edition goes a step 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 *Dune: Awakening* grants players a universal color pattern that can be applied to vehicles, weapons, and armor, as well as the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.
Funcom has also outlined 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. Here are the system requirements for running *Dune: Awakening* on a PC:
Minimum:
- 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:
- 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.
