Funcom’s upcoming survival MMO, Dune: Awakening, is poised to immerse players in the expansive universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, the game offers a rich blend of survival mechanics, exploration, and strategic gameplay. This article provides an in-depth look at the PC release details, system requirements, and key features that players can anticipate.
PC Release Date and Availability
Dune: Awakening is scheduled for release on May 20, 2025, exclusively for Windows PC via Steam. Console versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are planned, with release dates to be announced. Players eager to embark on their journey can add the game to their Steam wishlist to receive notifications upon release.
Pre-Launch Features: Character Creator and Benchmark Mode
In anticipation of the official launch, Funcom has introduced a Character Creator and Benchmark Mode, available for free download on Steam. This tool allows players to:
- Customize Characters: Design unique avatars by selecting appearance attributes, home planet origins, caste affiliations, and mentors. These choices influence initial abilities and gameplay experiences.
- Benchmark Performance: Evaluate system capabilities through immersive scenes, such as piloting an ornithopter or encountering a colossal sandworm, ensuring optimal performance settings for the full game.
Notably, characters crafted using this tool can be seamlessly imported into the game at launch, providing a head start in the world of Arrakis. Additionally, participants will receive an exclusive in-game Frameblade knife skin as a bonus.
Pricing and Pre-Order Bonuses
Upon release, Dune: Awakening will be priced at $49.99. While pre-orders have not commenced, players who engage with the Character Creator and Benchmark Mode will receive the exclusive Frameblade knife skin. Further pre-order incentives, such as the Terrarium of Muad’Dib—an in-base decoration featuring a desert mouse—are expected to be detailed closer to the release date.
Immersive Gameplay Experience
Set in the intricate universe of Dune, Dune: Awakening offers players the opportunity to:
- Explore Arrakis: Navigate the vast deserts, uncover hidden secrets, and adapt to dynamic environmental challenges, including massive sandstorms and the ever-present threat of sandworms.
- Engage in Survival Mechanics: Manage resources, craft essential equipment, and establish bases to withstand the harsh conditions of the desert planet.
- Participate in Faction Dynamics: Align with various factions, each offering unique advantages and storylines, influencing the balance of power on Arrakis.
- Experience Dynamic Combat: Utilize a diverse arsenal of weapons and strategies in both PvE and PvP scenarios, ensuring engaging and varied combat encounters.
For a visual preview of the game, you can watch the official release date reveal trailer on Youtube.
That trailer was awesome! I’m 100% giving this game a shot.
Anticipated System Requirements
To ensure an optimal gaming experience, players should consider the following predicted system requirements:
- Minimum Requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K or equivalent
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or equivalent
- Storage: 100 GB SSD
- OS: Windows 10
- Recommended Requirements:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X or equivalent
- RAM: 16 GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or equivalent
- Storage: NVMe SSD with 100 GB free space
- OS: Windows 10
These specifications are subject to change as the release date approaches. Players are encouraged to utilize the Benchmark Mode to assess their system’s performance accurately.
Conclusion
Dune: Awakening promises to deliver an immersive and expansive survival MMO experience, capturing the essence of the Dune universe. With its PC release slated for May 20, 2025, and the availability of pre-launch tools, players have ample opportunities to prepare for the challenges that await on Arrakis. Stay tuned for further updates as the sands of Arrakis shift closer to the release date.