Dune: Awakening MMO Launches Without Monthly Fees

Dune: Awakening's developer has exciting news for fans: the game will launch without any monthly subscription fees. Dive into the latest updates from the developer and explore the various editions available for purchase.

Dune: Awakening Coming on May 20

No Early Access and No Monthly Subscription

Dune: Awakening, developed by Funcom, is set to make its full release on May 20, skipping the early access phase. A recent Steam blog post dated March 21 sheds light on the game's business model, system requirements, and plans post-launch.

This highly anticipated multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic 1965 science fiction novel, will stand out from other MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and EVE Online by not requiring a monthly subscription. Instead, Funcom promises to keep the game fresh and engaging with "free updates, bringing new content, features, and enhancements."

Funcom is confident in their long-term support for Dune: Awakening, citing their successful management of live service games. They have a proven track record with titles like Anarchy Online, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, and Conan Exiles, which continues to thrive with regular free updates, DLCs, and expansions.

Pre-Orders Live Now and Game Editions Revealed

In the same Steam blog post, Funcom announced the availability of optional paid DLCs and the imminent opening of pre-orders. Just a week later, on March 24, Dune: Awakening's official website unveiled the details of the different editions and confirmed that pre-orders are now open.

By pre-ordering any of the three editions—Standard, Deluxe, or Ultimate—players will receive two exclusive in-game items: the Terrarium of Muad’Dib, an intricate in-base decoration, and the Sunset Dye Global Swatch, a unique color pattern applicable to weapons, vehicles, and armor.

Pre-ordering the Deluxe or Ultimate edition grants players a 5-day head start, allowing access to the game from May 15. The Deluxe edition includes:

• Season Pass: Access to 4 DLCs, starting with one that features placeables inspired by Arrakis' wildlife, including Shai-Hulud. The subsequent three DLCs will be released later.
• Sardaukar Bator Armor: The intimidating armor worn by the elite Sardaukar military force, which players will encounter as adversaries in the game.
• One copy of the base game

The Ultimate edition, in addition to the Deluxe edition's contents, offers:

• Dusk Rider Sandbike Swatch: A unique color pattern for your sandbike
• Blue Dasher Ornithopter Swatch: A unique color pattern for your ornithopter
• Caladan Palace Building Set: Building pieces and placeables from the 2021 film
• Dune 2021 Film Stillsuit: The stillsuit worn by Paul Atreides in the film
• Digital Artbook: A 50-page artbook filled with artworks from the game's development
• Digital Soundtrack: 90 minutes of music from the game

For more details on Dune: Awakening's pre-order options and DLCs, check out our comprehensive article below!