"Dune: Awakening Set to Launch for Thousands"

Dune: Awakening's studio, Funcom, is gearing up for what they anticipate will be an overcrowded launch as they prepare for the game's large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's comprehensive plans for managing server capacity at launch and what fans can look forward to.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As the release date of Dune: Awakening approaches, Funcom is reassuring fans that they are ready for the potential surge in players come June. In a detailed Steam post dated May 7, the developer addressed fan queries post the first closed beta, focusing particularly on server capacity and multiplayer dynamics.

Upon entering the game, players will select a server as their home within a larger 'World', which comprises at least 20 servers. This setup allows for interaction with players from other servers within the same World.

Concerns about server load and queues have been acknowledged by Funcom. They expect high demand at launch, with some servers reaching capacity. To mitigate this, Funcom has planned for "thousands of servers grouped into hundreds of Worlds" to be available from the get-go.

Funcom elaborates, "A Hagga Basin server can handle 40 concurrent players, but daily fluctuations mean it can support several hundred choosing it as their home server." Extensive testing during the closed beta has led to the implementation of systems that manage server population, preventing overcrowding by limiting character creation on highly popular servers.

While Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, solo play remains a viable option on Arrakis. However, single-player and private servers will not be part of the initial launch but are slated for future updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Before the official launch, the large-scale beta weekend is set to kick off, and Funcom has shared insights into what this event will entail. On May 8, the official Dune: Awakening website detailed the beta's features.

To participate in the beta, fans can wishlist and request access on the game’s Steam page, register on the official website, or obtain an access code at the Global LAN party on May 10.

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

The beta weekend will feature the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering early to mid-game content. Players will have access to the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, the Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap regions, the Sandbike, and early to mid-game combat, along with parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has confirmed that progress made during the beta will not transfer to the final game.

Dune: Awakening is scheduled 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 news by checking out our article below!