Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly awaited multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening, has provided a comprehensive update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy. Set for a full launch on May 20, rather than an Early Access release, the game draws inspiration from Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its subsequent movie adaptations. A notable aspect of Dune: Awakening is its decision to forego a subscription model, despite its classification as an MMO.
Instead, Funcom plans to support the game through a series of free updates that will introduce new content and features. The studio will also adhere to a traditional business model by offering optional DLCs. Funcom's track record with other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, which continue to receive free updates, DLCs, and expansions long after their initial releases, sets a promising precedent for Dune: Awakening. The developer assures that the game will follow suit, with ongoing enhancements and content expansions.
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 additional perks, including a five-day head start and exclusive items. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass that provides access to four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch.
The Deluxe Edition comes with the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that players must evade within the game. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all the content from the Deluxe Edition and adds Paul Atreides' iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, along with a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, which includes building pieces, placeables, and decorations.
Pre-ordering any edition of the game rewards players with a universal color pattern applicable 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 detailed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening. The game supports advanced graphical technologies such as Nvidia's DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS 2.
**Minimum 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 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.
