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

Dune: Awakening's studio is gearing up for a potentially crowded launch while preparing for its large-scale beta this weekend. Dive in to discover Funcom's plans for server management at launch 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 reassuring fans that they are ready for a potentially overcrowded launch in June. In a Steam post dated May 7, Funcom addressed some of the top concerns following the first closed beta, particularly about server capacity and large-scale multiplayer mechanics.

At the game's outset, players will select a server to call home. These servers are part of a larger World, with each World containing at least 20 servers. This setup allows players to interact with others across different servers within the same World.

However, fans have expressed worries about server load and queues. Funcom anticipates a heavy load at launch, with some servers possibly reaching full capacity. They emphasize that there will be "thousands of servers grouped together in hundreds of Worlds available at launch."

"It's crucial to understand that while a Hagga Basin server can accommodate 40 concurrent players, the natural ebb and flow of player activity throughout the day means that it can support several hundred choosing it as their home server," Funcom explained. "We've thoroughly tested this during the closed beta, and we have systems in place to limit character creation on servers that are becoming too popular, thereby reducing the risk of servers becoming full."

Dune: Awakening emphasizes its large-scale multiplayer mechanics but remains enjoyable for solo players. Despite the multiplayer setting, players can explore Arrakis alone. Single-player and private servers won't be available at launch but are slated for inclusion in post-launch updates.

What To Expect During The Large-Scale Beta Weekend

Before the official launch, the game's large-scale beta weekend is approaching, and Funcom has provided detailed information about what fans can expect. In a post on the Dune: Awakening official website on May 8, they outlined the features of the upcoming beta.

Fans can gain access to the beta weekend 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 is scheduled to run from May 9 to May 12. Check out the timetable below to see when the stream starts in your region:

According to their post, the beta will feature the first 20-25 hours of the game, covering the early to mid-game stages. Additional features include the CHOAM building set, the Hagga Basin South region, Eastern and Western Vermillius Gap regions, access to the Sandbike, early and early mid-game combat, and segments of Act I of the story. Funcom has clarified that progress made during the beta weekend will not carry over to the full game.

Dune: Awakening is set to launch on June 10, 2025, for PC, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S releases to follow at a later, unannounced date. Stay informed about the latest game updates by checking out our article below!