Home News > Dune: Awakening Dev Confirms Full Launch Date, No Subscription, Optional DLCs

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

by Olivia Apr 09,2025

Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has recently provided an update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the game will see a full launch on May 20, rather than entering Early Access. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel and its movie adaptations, will not require a subscription despite its classification as an MMO.

Instead of a subscription, Funcom plans to enrich Dune: Awakening through continuous free updates that introduce new content and features. The studio will also adopt a "classic business model" by offering optional downloadable content (DLCs). Funcom highlighted its commitment to long-term support, citing the ongoing updates, DLCs, and expansions for its other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles. They assured that Dune: Awakening will receive the same dedicated support, with regular free updates that enhance the game experience.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. The Deluxe Edition, available for $69.99, and the Ultimate Edition, priced at $89.99, offer additional perks including a five-day head start and exclusive items. The Season Pass, included in the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions, will unlock four DLCs over time, starting with the first one at launch.

Purchasers of the Deluxe Edition will receive the armor of the Sardaukar, the game's elite military force. The Ultimate Edition includes all Deluxe Edition content plus Paul Atreides’ iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set with various building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition of Dune: Awakening grants players a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

The Dune: Awakening Ultimate Edition. Image credit: Funcom.

Funcom also detailed 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.