"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 into the details to discover Funcom's strategies for managing server loads on launch day and what fans can anticipate.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As the release date of Dune: Awakening approaches, Funcom reassures fans that they are ready to handle a potentially overcrowded launch in June. On May 7, via a Steam post, Funcom addressed the community's questions post the first closed beta, focusing on server capacity and the game's large-scale multiplayer features.

At the game's outset, players will select a server to call home. These servers are grouped into Worlds, each containing at least 20 servers, allowing players to interact with others within their World.

Concerns have been raised about Funcom's ability to manage server load and queues. The studio anticipates a high demand at launch, with the possibility of some servers reaching capacity. However, they assure that "thousands of servers grouped into hundreds of Worlds will be available at launch."

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can support 40 players at once, the daily fluctuation in player numbers means it can accommodate several hundred choosing that server as their home." They emphasized that this has been thoroughly tested during the closed beta, and systems are in place to limit character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the risk of servers becoming full.

Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, yet it remains enjoyable for solo players. While you'll enter a multiplayer environment, you 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 provide a taste of what's to come. Funcom shared more about this event on the Dune: Awakening official website on May 8.

Access to the beta weekend can be secured by wishlisting and requesting access on the game's Steam page, signing up on the official website, or obtaining an access code at the Global LAN party on May 10.

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

During the beta, players will experience the first 20-25 hours of the game, covering early to mid-game content. 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 made it clear that progress made during the beta weekend will not transfer 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!