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

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

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As Dune: Awakening approaches its release date, developer Funcom is reassuring fans that they are ready for a potentially overcrowded launch in June. In a Steam post dated May 7, Funcom addressed key concerns following the first closed beta, particularly around server capacity and large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

At the outset, players will select a server to call home, which is part of a larger World containing at least 20 servers. This setup allows players to interact with others across different servers within the same World.

However, concerns about server load and queues have been raised by the community. Funcom anticipates a high load at launch, with some servers possibly reaching capacity. They aim to mitigate this by ensuring "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch."

Funcom elaborated, "What’s important to note is that while a Hagga Basin server can support 40 people playing concurrently, the way populations ebb and flow over the course of a day means that it still supports several hundred people picking 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.

While Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, it remains enjoyable for solo players. Although you'll be in a multiplayer environment, you can explore Arrakis on your own. 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

Before the official launch, the large-scale beta weekend is on the horizon, and Funcom has shared more details about what to expect. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website dated May 8, they outlined the features of the upcoming beta.

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 run from May 9 to May 12. Check out the timetable below to see when the stream starts in your region:

According to their post, the beta will include the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering early to mid-game content. Other features include the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, access to the Sandbike, early and early mid-game combat, and parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has clarified that player progress 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. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our article below!