Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly awaited multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on the game's business model and post-launch plans. The studio has confirmed that the game's full launch will take place on May 20, marking a significant milestone for fans of Frank Herbert's legendary sci-fi universe and its movie adaptations. Importantly, Dune: Awakening will not require a subscription despite its classification as an MMO, setting it apart from typical models in the genre.

Instead of a subscription, Funcom plans to keep the game fresh and engaging through free updates that will introduce new content, features, and enhancements. The studio will also adopt a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs, ensuring players have the flexibility to expand their experience as they see fit. Funcom’s commitment to supporting its games long-term is evident in its track record with titles like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles, both of which continue to receive updates and expansions years after their initial release. Dune: Awakening will follow suit, promising a continuously evolving game world.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more, the Deluxe Edition ($69.99) and Ultimate Edition ($89.99) offer additional perks. Both premium editions grant players a five-day head start and unique items. The Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass, unlocking four DLCs over time, with the first available at launch. Deluxe Edition buyers will also receive the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force central to the game's narrative. The Ultimate Edition includes all of the above, 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 of Dune: Awakening comes with added benefits, including a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, as well as the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, a decorative in-base item housing the iconic desert mouse.

On the technical side, Funcom has outlined the PC system requirements for Dune: Awakening. The game supports advanced graphics technologies like Nvidia’s DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD’s FSR, and Intel’s XeSS 2, ensuring a visually stunning experience on capable hardware.

Dune: Awakening PC System Requirements:

Minimum:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-7400, AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB), AMD Radeon 5600XT (6GB)
• Storage: 60 GB available space

Recommended:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8GB), AMD Radeon 6700XT (12GB)
• Storage: 75 GB available space

For a deeper dive into what Dune: Awakening has to offer, check out IGN's final preview of the game.