Home > News > Dune: Awakening Set for Full Launch, Offers Optional DLCs, No Subscription Required

Dune: Awakening Set for Full Launch, Offers Optional DLCs, No Subscription Required

by Aaliyah May 15,2025

Funcom, the developer behind the highly anticipated Dune: Awakening, has provided a detailed update on the game's business model and post-launch strategy, confirming that the May 20 release will mark the game's full launch, not an Early Access period. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its cinematic adaptations, will not require a subscription despite its classification as an MMO.

Instead of a subscription-based model, Funcom plans to expand Dune: Awakening through free updates that will introduce new content, features, and enhancements. The game will adhere to a traditional business model, featuring optional downloadable content (DLCs). Funcom highlighted its commitment to supporting its games long-term, referencing the ongoing updates and expansions for their other titles like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles. They emphasized that Dune: Awakening will follow suit, receiving continuous free updates to enrich the player experience.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is set at $49.99, while the Deluxe Edition at $69.99 and the Ultimate Edition at $89.99 offer additional benefits. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions grant players a five-day head start and exclusive items. The Season Pass, included in these higher-tier editions, will unlock four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch.

The Deluxe Edition includes the Sardaukar armor, symbolizing the elite military force that players must evade within the game. The Ultimate Edition encompasses all Deluxe Edition content, plus Paul Atreides' iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, complete with building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition comes with a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

The Dune: Awakening Ultimate Edition. Image credit: Funcom.

Funcom also confirmed the PC features and system requirements for Dune: Awakening, noting that the game supports Nvidia's DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS 2 technologies.