Funcom Tests Major Dune: Awakening PvP Overhaul
You may recall Funcom's recent assurance to Dune: Awakening players during an AMA session that they were "already developing solutions" to enhance Deep Desert PvP - an area players had criticized as "toxic" due to persistent griefing issues, even after removing the ability to crush others with Ornithopters.
In a transparent developer letter, Creative Director Joel Bylos clarified their vision: "Our priority is ensuring PvE players can fully experience endgame content," emphasizing that "we don't want to compel PvE-focused players into systems they might not enjoy."
"We remain committed to the Deep Desert's core identity - a weekly-resetting high-risk zone with exceptional rewards. The intended experience involves forming alliances to navigate this treacherous environment while keeping constant watch for threats," he explained of the originally envisioned gameplay loop. Bylos acknowledged the current implementation creates undue pressure, revealing that "select Deep Desert sectors" will be redesignated as Partial Warfare (PvE) zones where players can harvest rare materials safely. However, major spice deposits, derelict ships and Landsraad objectives will retain their War of Assassins (PvP) status as high-value, high-danger areas.
Remarkably, within just 48 hours of this announcement, Funcom has begun testing substantial modifications through their newly launched Public Test Client, where players can experience experimental builds (with expected instability). The most notable change expands the PvE-safe zone near the Shield Wall to encompass sectors A-D plus half of E - effectively converting nearly 50% of the Deep Desert from PvP to PvE territory.
For context, the current live version only designates row A as PvE. As PC Gamer observes, while these changes aren't guaranteed for the final release (the entire purpose of test servers being experimentation), it demonstrates Funcom's genuine commitment to refining the endgame.
Dune: Awakening continues its stellar launch performance, maintaining 'Very Positive' Steam reviews and setting new records for Funcom. The survival MMO peaked at 189,333 concurrent players this month after debuting with 142,000 simultaneous users, surpassing 1 million total players faster than any previous title in the developer's catalog.
Our reviewers awarded it a Great 8/10, praising how it "masterfully adapts Herbert's universe into a compelling survival MMO" while noting room for improvement in combat mechanics and endgame structure.
New players can consult our comprehensive guides covering character classes, story progression, essential resource locations (iron/steel/aluminum), and Trainer NPC positions to ease their journey across Arrakis.
