Dune: Awakening Launches with Rentable Private Servers: What's Included and Excluded

Private servers are set to arrive in Dune: Awakening, though with certain "concessions" designed to preserve the game’s large-scale multiplayer experience.

In a recent update posted on the Dune: Awakening Steam store page, developer Funcom confirmed that rentable private servers will be available from day one for players entering the "head start" (early access) period starting Thursday, June 5.

“We previously mentioned that private servers would come post-launch, but we’re pleased to share that progress has moved faster than anticipated,” the team announced. “That said, we want to be clear about how private servers function in Dune: Awakening. As you may know, this isn’t your typical survival game.”

Each private server will be part of a larger World made up of multiple servers, all sharing common social hubs and the Deep Desert zone. This structure is intended to maintain a “neighbourhood-like feel” across the game world.

“We decided early on not to compromise the large-scale multiplayer elements, as they are integral to the Dune: Awakening experience. The game's content and mechanics are deeply tied to this setup,” the update continued.

“This meant making some compromises regarding the level of control players have over their private servers. What you get is a model with fewer configuration options compared to other survival games like Conan Exiles.”

Renting a private server grants you a Hagga Basin identical to the official servers, while still placing you within a World containing other private servers—you can even choose which World to join during setup. However, full control over social hubs or the Deep Desert won't be possible. On the bright side, you’ll still be able to engage with all of Dune: Awakening’s large-scale multiplayer features.

Dune: Awakening - January 2025 Screenshots

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Now, let’s focus on what private server owners can do. You’ll have the option to disable security zones entirely, enabling PvP across the entire Hagga Basin—or keep it partially restricted with designated PvP areas similar to public servers. You can also toggle off taxation and sandstorms, customize your server name, and set a password. Server owners can visit other servers within the same World by entering the correct password, and even claim land—a feature unavailable on official servers.

“Bringing private servers to Dune: Awakening wasn’t simple, given our unique large-scale multiplayer architecture. It was essential to us to preserve the MMO-style gameplay that makes the game special,” the development team concluded.

“This does mean there are limitations compared to other survival titles like Conan Exiles. But we hope this service still offers real value to those who prefer exclusive server environments, and that the shared World system adds depth without detracting from the rich content and mechanics that define Dune: Awakening.”

As a longtime fan of the Dune universe, it's incredibly satisfying to explore and learn more about this intricately crafted world. Funcom has clearly invested heavily in lore and worldbuilding, even while taking creative liberties by setting Awakening in an alternate reality. These thoughtful details enhance nearly every aspect of the game—from factions to characters—making it a rewarding experience for fans of the franchise.

Dune: Awakening launches on June 10, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, following a three-week delay aimed at addressing issues discovered during beta testing. Early access begins on June 5 for eligible players. For further information, check out the game’s business model and post-launch roadmap, as well as the global release time schedule.