Dune: Awakening will be Ready for Thousands Of Players, Says Developer

Dune: Awakening's studio is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch as it prepares for a large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom’s server strategies and what fans can anticipate.

Dune: Awakening Pre-Launch Updates

Funcom’s Servers Are Prepared

As Dune: Awakening approaches its release date, developer Funcom is confident in handling a potentially overcrowded launch in June. In a Steam post dated May 7, Funcom addressed the most pressing concerns following the first closed beta, shedding light on their server setup and large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

Players will begin their journey by selecting a server within a World, which consists of at least 20 servers. This setup allows interaction with players from other servers within the same World.

Despite these assurances, fans have expressed concerns about server capacity and waiting times. Funcom anticipates a high server load at launch, with the possibility of some servers reaching full capacity. They are reassuring fans by stating that "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds will be available at launch."

Funcom elaborated, "While a Hagga Basin server can support 40 concurrent players, the fluctuating nature of player activity throughout the day means it can accommodate several hundred choosing it as their home server." They have rigorously tested these dynamics during the closed beta and implemented systems to prevent servers from becoming overly popular, thus minimizing the risk of them filling up completely.

Although Dune: Awakening emphasizes its large-scale multiplayer features, it remains enjoyable for solo players. While players join a multiplayer setting, they can explore Arrakis alone. Single-player and private server options won't be available at launch but are planned for future updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Before the official launch, the large-scale beta weekend is on the horizon. Funcom shared more details about what fans can expect from this 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 timetable below to see when the stream starts in your region:

According to Funcom, the beta will include the first 20-25 hours of gameplay, covering the early to mid-game phases. Additional features include the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap Region, access to the Sandbike, early and mid-game combat, and portions of Act I of the story. It's important to note that any progress made 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, yet-to-be-announced date. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our article below!