Dune: Awakening's studio is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch as they prepare for the large-scale beta this weekend. Here's what you need to know about Funcom's server plans and what fans can look forward to.
Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates
Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared
As Dune: Awakening approaches its release date, Funcom is reassuring fans that they are ready for a potentially overcrowded launch scheduled for June. In a Steam post dated May 7, Funcom addressed key concerns about server capacity and explained the game's large-scale multiplayer mechanics following the first closed beta.
At the outset, players will select a server to call home within a larger "World," which consists of at least 20 servers. This setup allows players to interact with others across different servers within the same World.
Concerns about server load and queues have been raised by fans. Funcom anticipates a heavy load at launch, with some servers possibly reaching full capacity. They aim to mitigate this by having "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch."
Funcom elaborated, "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 choosing that server as their home." The studio confirmed that these dynamics were rigorously tested during the closed beta, and systems are in place to limit character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the chance of them becoming full.
Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer, but it's also designed to be enjoyable in solo mode. While players will join a multiplayer environment, they can explore Arrakis on their 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 set to provide a taste of what's to come. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website dated May 8, Funcom detailed what participants can expect.
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 during the Global LAN party on May 10.
The large-scale beta weekend will run from May 9 to May 12. Check the timetable below to see when the stream starts in your region:
The beta will feature the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering early to mid-game content. Players can explore the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, ride the Sandbike, engage in early and early mid-game combat, and experience parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has confirmed that progress made 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!
