Funcom's upcoming survival MMO set in the Dune universe is rapidly approaching its May 20 release date, and new details continue to emerge about the ambitious title. Recent developer updates have revealed exciting features including aerial combat capabilities and a massive, ever-changing desert map that promises to keep the gameplay experience fresh for players exploring the harsh world of Arrakis.
Air-to-Air Combat Confirmed
Funcom has officially confirmed that players will be able to engage in air-to-air combat using ornithopters, the iconic dragonfly-like aircraft from the Dune universe. According to a recent blog post, players can craft and attach rocket modules to their 'thopters, allowing them to target and potentially shoot down other players' aircraft. These weapons will be crucial when you're dealing with other ornithopters in the sky or sandcrawlers trying to steal spice in the Deep Desert, the developer explained. As with other weapon systems in the game, ammunition management will be a critical factor in aerial engagements, requiring players to ensure their ornithopters are fully loaded before heading into combat situations.
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| A depiction of aerial combat with advanced helicopters flying over a desert terrain, symbolizing the air-to-air combat capabilities in Funcom's Dune MMO |
Diverse Ornithopter Types
Beyond combat capabilities, Funcom has showcased different types of ornithopters that will be available in the game. The strong and bulky carrier ornithopter is designed to transport sandcrawlers into the deep desert for spice harvesting operations. These larger aircraft can also carry other vehicles, including groundcars and even other ornithopters, adding interesting logistical dimensions to group gameplay. This vehicle hierarchy suggests a complex transportation system that players will need to master as they expand their operations across Arrakis.
The Dynamic Deep Desert
Perhaps the most intriguing revelation is about the game's Deep Desert map, which Funcom describes as a massive area spanning over 500 square kilometers. This enormous region is designed to accommodate hundreds of players simultaneously and features permanent PvP gameplay, though new arrivals will benefit from a PvE buffer zone to prevent immediate ambushes. What makes this area truly unique is the weekly Coriolis Storm mechanic that completely reshapes the landscape. Game Director Joel Bylos explained that these storms will effectively reset the Deep Desert every week, creating a new landscape and new points of interest, essentially providing players with a fresh map to explore on a regular basis.
Exploration and Economic Opportunities
The weekly reset of the Deep Desert creates interesting gameplay opportunities, particularly for explorer-type players. Those who venture into the newly reformed desert immediately after a Coriolis Storm can survey the changed landscape, discovering new resource nodes and points of interest. This valuable information can then be shared with allies or even sold to other players through the game's Exchange system, creating an interesting economic dynamic around exploration and information trading.
Progression System
The exploration trailer released by Funcom outlines the basic progression path players will follow after crash-landing on Arrakis. Survival is the first priority, followed by crafting essential equipment like stillsuits. Players will then establish home bases and eventually construct vehicles necessary for traversing the hostile desert environment. This progression ultimately leads to the Deep Desert, where the game's most challenging and rewarding content awaits.
Approaching Launch
With the May 20 launch date approaching, Funcom has already made the game's benchmark tool and character creator available on Steam, allowing prospective players to test their system compatibility and begin designing their Arrakis survivors. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Dune Awakening appears to be an ambitious technical achievement that aims to bring the harsh beauty of Arrakis to life in a persistent multiplayer environment.