"Dune: Awakening Set to Launch for Thousands, Developer Confirms"

Dune: Awakening's studio, Funcom, is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch while preparing for its large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's server strategies for the launch and what fans can anticipate.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As Dune: Awakening nears its June release, Funcom reassures fans that they're ready for a potentially overwhelming launch. In a detailed Steam post dated May 7, following the first closed beta, Funcom addressed key concerns about server capacity and large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

At the outset, players select a server as their home base. Each World contains at least 20 servers, allowing interactions among players across different servers within the same World.

Despite this, fans have expressed worries about server load and potential queues. Funcom anticipates a high load at launch, with some servers possibly reaching capacity. They've assured players that "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds will be available at launch."

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can support 40 players concurrently, the natural ebb and flow of player populations throughout the day means it can still accommodate several hundred choosing that server as their home." They've rigorously tested this during the closed beta and have systems in place to limit character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the risk of servers becoming full.

Although Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, it remains enjoyable for solo players. While joining a multiplayer environment, players can explore Arrakis alone. Single-player and private servers won't be available at launch but are planned for post-launch updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Ahead of the official launch, the large-scale beta weekend is on the horizon, with Funcom offering insights into what to expect. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website dated May 8, they detailed the upcoming beta's features.

To participate in the beta weekend, fans can wishlist and request access on the game's Steam page, sign up on the official website, or obtain an access code during the Global LAN party on May 10.

The large-scale beta weekend will take place from May 9 to May 12. Below is the schedule for when the stream starts in your region:

The beta will feature the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering the early to mid-game stages. Included are the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, access to the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has confirmed that progress made during the beta weekend will not carry over to the full game.

Dune: Awakening is slated for release on June 10, 2025, for PC, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S releases to follow at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. Keep up with the latest updates on the game by checking out our article below!