Dune: Awakening Isn’t Early Access, But Will Let You Pay To Play Early

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In a departure from many survival games, Dune: Awakening, Funcom’s upcoming MMO set in Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi universe, won’t debut in an early access form when it launches on PC on May 20th. Unlike some MMOs, it also won’t require a subscription fee.

In a recent video, creative director Joel Bylos shared updates on Funcom’s post-launch strategies specifically tailored for their sci-fi survival game.

According to Bylos, here’s what you should know about the launch of Dune: Awakening: It won’t debut in early access, nor will it require a monthly subscription. Instead, it will undergo regular free updates, which will include new content, fresh features, and enhancements to improve overall quality.

In a further discussion, Bylos mentioned that the game would offer additional Downloadable Content (DLC) for purchase. These optional expansions correspond with each significant free update and can be obtained individually. Additionally, a Season Pass is planned, offering access to four post-launch DLCs altogether.

In most cases, survival games debut in Early Access format, allowing developers to collect player feedback and gradually expand the game’s content. However, Dune: Awakening is breaking the mold by launching in version 1.0, which is less common for this genre. Typically, games released in full have a price increase compared to their Early Access versions.

Unlike previous announcements, Dune: Awakening is not just being released after six years in development; it has gone through several closed beta phases over the past year. When it launches for $50, players who are eager to play early can do so by purchasing advanced access on Steam for either $70 or $90. These premium editions allow early access starting May 15, five days ahead of the official release date. Both expensive versions come with a season pass and extra cosmetics.

Bylos explained, “Indeed, it gives players an early chance to dive into the game. However, it’s also crucial for us to manage the server traffic effectively as more people join during the launch. To ensure a smooth experience for those seeking a fresh start, we will introduce new servers that will go live on May 20th alongside the official game release.

As a passionate gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Dune: Awakening, initially conceived with controllers in focus, is primed for its debut on PC platforms first. Rest assured, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 gamers won’t be left behind! A dedicated version tailored for these consoles is in the pipeline, but as of now, the release date remains undisclosed.

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2025-03-24 22:39