Funcom's highly anticipated survival MMO set in the Dune universe is opening its doors to a significant number of players next month before its official release. Players will have the opportunity to experience the harsh desert environment of Arrakis firsthand, testing their survival skills against the planet's unforgiving conditions.
Beta Weekend Details
Funcom has announced its largest beta test yet for Dune: Awakening, scheduled to run from May 9 to May 12. Unlike previous closed beta tests, this event will have no NDA restrictions, allowing participants to freely share and stream their gameplay experiences. Players can request access through the game's Steam page, but those not automatically selected still have another opportunity to join. During the Global LAN Party Broadcast on May 10, streaming live from both London and PAX East, Funcom will distribute tens of thousands of beta keys to viewers.
Game Content and Experience
The beta will provide approximately 20-25 hours of gameplay, featuring the Hagga Basin South Region, the Eastern and Western Vermilius Gap Region, and portions of the story's first Act. Players begin their journey as a character stranded in the desert after their airship is shot down, tasked by the Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit to locate surviving Fremen reportedly attacked by the Emperor's Sardaukar forces.
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| The explorers set out on their journey in the harsh desert environment of Arrakis |
Survival Mechanics
The core gameplay revolves around survival in the harsh Arrakian environment. Water management is paramount, with players initially gathering dew from plants before eventually crafting stillsuits to improve hydration efficiency. Blood extraction from defeated enemies provides another water source, though it requires purification to avoid illness. Players must also manage sunlight exposure during the day and avoid Sardaukar drones at night.
The Sandworm Threat
Perhaps the most iconic danger in Dune: Awakening is the sandworm. Moving across open sand risks attracting these massive creatures, resulting in permanent loss of inventory items if caught. Rocky terrain provides safety, and eventually crafting vehicles like sandbikes significantly improves travel capabilities across the dangerous landscape.
Combat and Progression
The game features a robust combat system with melee playing a significant role. Players can block, dodge, and execute both regular and charged attacks. The skill system allows for three active abilities and three passive techniques equipped from skill trees. As players progress, they'll encounter outposts with NPCs offering contracts and faction allegiances with either House Atreides or House Harkonnen.
Building and Crafting
Base building begins with placing a subfief console, allowing construction of foundations, walls, doors, and roofs in designated areas. Resource gathering is essential for crafting tools, equipment, and base components. The game's exploration is enhanced by free-climbing mechanics, a grappling hook (shigawire claw), and a suspensor belt for safe descents.
Technical Performance
Running on Unreal Engine 5, Dune: Awakening can deliver impressive visuals, though early access revealed performance issues even on high-end hardware. The recent delay from May 20 to June 10 may be partly to address these optimization concerns, as stuttering was consistently reported during press preview sessions.
MMO Endgame Potential
While the beta focuses primarily on survival and crafting aspects, Dune: Awakening's full release promises an MMO-like endgame where player clans align with major houses in cyclical warfare for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. This could potentially feature hundreds of players in large-scale battles with various vehicles and the ever-present sandworm threat, though this content won't be available until the official launch on June 10.