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

Dune: Awakening's studio, Funcom, is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch as they prepare for a large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's detailed plans for server management at launch and what fans can anticipate.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As the release date for Dune: Awakening approaches, Funcom is reassuring fans of their readiness for a potential surge in players come June. In a detailed Steam post dated May 7, following the first closed beta, Funcom addressed key concerns about server capacity and explained the mechanics of their large-scale multiplayer system.

Upon starting the game, players will select a server as their home base. These servers are part of larger Worlds, each containing at least 20 servers, enabling interactions with other players within the same World.

Addressing concerns about server load and potential queues, Funcom anticipates high demand at launch, with some servers reaching full capacity. They've reassured players that "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds will be available at launch."

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can handle 40 concurrent players, its daily population flux means it can still support hundreds choosing it as their home." They've conducted thorough tests during the closed beta and have systems in place to limit character creation on overly popular servers, thus reducing the risk of full servers.

Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, yet it remains enjoyable for solo adventurers. 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 future updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Before the official launch, the large-scale beta weekend is set to give players a taste of what's to come. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website dated May 8, Funcom outlined what participants can expect from this event.

Access to the beta weekend is available through wishlisting and requesting access on the game's Steam page, signing up on the official website, or receiving an access code during the Global LAN party on May 10.

The beta will run from May 9 to May 12. Check the timetable below to find the start time of the stream in your region:

During the beta, players will experience the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering the early to mid-game stages. This includes access to the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and portions of Act I of the story. Note that any 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 versions following at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. Stay updated with the latest game news by checking out our article below!