"Dune: Awakening Ready for Thousands, Developer Confirms"

Dune: Awakening's studio, Funcom, is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch while preparing for its large-scale beta this weekend. Dive into the details about Funcom's server readiness and what fans can anticipate.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As Dune: Awakening approaches its release date, Funcom reassures fans that they are fully prepared for a high-traffic launch in June. In a Steam post dated May 7, following the first closed beta, Funcom addressed key concerns about server capacity and explained the game's large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

Upon starting the game, players select a server as their home base. These servers are part of a larger World, comprising at least 20 servers. This setup allows players to interact and engage with others from different servers within the same World.

However, concerns about server load and queues have been raised by the community. Funcom anticipates a significant load at launch, with some servers reaching capacity. They assure fans that there will be "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch."

Funcom explained, "While a Hagga Basin server can support 40 players at once, the fluctuating population throughout the day means it can accommodate several hundred players choosing that server as their home." The studio has rigorously tested this during the closed beta and has implemented systems to limit character creation on overly popular servers, reducing the risk of servers becoming full.

Dune: Awakening emphasizes large-scale multiplayer mechanics but can also be enjoyed solo. Players can explore Arrakis alone within the multiplayer environment. Single-player and private servers will not 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 fans with a taste of what's to come. Funcom shared details about the beta event in a post on the Dune: Awakening official website on May 8.

Access to the beta weekend can be obtained by wishlisting and requesting access on the game’s Steam page, signing up on the official website, or receiving an access code during the Global LAN party on May 10.

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

During the beta, players will experience the first 20-25 hours of the game, covering early to mid-game content. Other features include the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap regions, access to the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and parts of Act I of the story. Funcom has confirmed that player progress during the beta weekend will not carry over to the full game.

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