"Dune: Awakening Set to Launch for Thousands"

Dune: Awakening's developer, Funcom, is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch as they prepare for the large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's server strategies and what fans can anticipate for the game's launch.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As the release date of Dune: Awakening approaches, Funcom reassures fans that they're ready for a potentially packed launch in June. In a detailed Steam post dated May 7, following the first closed beta, Funcom addressed fan concerns about server capacity and explained the game's server and large-scale multiplayer systems.

At the outset, players will select a server as their home base, which is part of a larger World comprising at least 20 servers. This setup allows for interactions with players across different servers within the same World.

Addressing fan concerns about server load and potential queues, Funcom anticipates a significant influx of players at launch, with some servers reaching capacity. However, they've prepared "thousands of servers grouped into hundreds of Worlds" to ensure a smooth launch experience.

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can handle 40 players concurrently, daily population fluctuations allow it to support several hundred players choosing it as their home." These claims were rigorously tested during the closed beta, and Funcom has implemented systems to limit character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the likelihood of them becoming fully occupied.

Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer but remains enjoyable for solo players. While single-player and private servers won't be available at launch, they are slated for inclusion in post-launch updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Ahead of the official launch, the game's large-scale beta weekend is set to commence, and Funcom has shared insights into what participants can expect. A post on the Dune: Awakening official website on May 8 outlined the upcoming beta's features.

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 receiving an access code at the Global LAN party on May 10.

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

The beta will cover the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, spanning early to mid-game phases. Players will explore the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, and ride the Sandbike. Early and mid-game combat and portions of Act I of the story will also be accessible. Note that progress made during the beta weekend will not transfer to the full game.

Dune: Awakening is scheduled for release on June 10, 2025, on PC, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. Stay tuned to our articles for the latest updates on the game!