Dune: Awakening Dev Confirms Full Launch Release, No Subscription, Optional DLCs

Funcom, the developer behind the highly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has recently provided an update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the game will fully launch on May 20, bypassing an Early Access phase. Inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, this multiplayer survival game will not require a subscription despite its MMO classification.

Instead of a subscription model, Funcom plans to support Dune: Awakening with free updates that will introduce new content, features, and enhancements. The studio will also adopt a "classic business model" that includes optional downloadable content (DLCs). This approach mirrors Funcom's ongoing support for their other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions long after their initial release. Funcom assures that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, ensuring continuous expansion and improvement.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more, the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer a five-day head start and exclusive items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass, which grants access to four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch.

The Deluxe Edition comes with the armor of the Sardaukar, the feared elite military force within the game's universe. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all Deluxe Edition content plus additional perks such as Paul Atreides' iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, which includes building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Players who pre-order any edition will receive a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, a decorative in-base item featuring the famous desert mouse.

Funcom has also detailed Dune: Awakening's PC features and system requirements, noting support for advanced graphical technologies like Nvidia's DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS 2.

Minimum PC System Requirements:

• 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 PC System Requirements:

• 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 offers, check out IGN’s final preview of the game.