Funcom's ambitious survival MMO set in the iconic Dune universe has made a remarkable debut on Steam, demonstrating strong player interest despite initial access limitations and technical challenges that have become synonymous with major online game launches.
Strong Launch Performance Exceeds Expectations
Dune: Awakening has achieved impressive concurrent player numbers following its full PC release on June 10, 2025. The game reached a peak of 142,050 concurrent players on Steam within hours of its public launch, securing the ninth position among the most-played games on the platform during its first 24 hours. This represents a significant increase from the 117,000 concurrent players recorded during the head-start weekend, which was exclusively available to deluxe edition pre-order customers.
Peak Player Numbers:
- Head-start weekend (deluxe edition only): 117,000 concurrent players
- Full launch day: 142,050 concurrent players
- Steam ranking: 9th most-played game in first 24 hours
Console Players Face Extended Wait
While PC players are exploring Arrakis, console enthusiasts will need to exercise considerable patience. Funcom has officially confirmed that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Dune: Awakening have been pushed back to sometime in 2026. This represents a substantial delay from earlier expectations and highlights the complexities involved in developing cross-platform multiplayer experiences of this scale.
Platform Availability:
- PC (Steam): Available now (June 10, 2025)
- PlayStation 5: Delayed to sometime in 2026
- Xbox Series X/S: Delayed to sometime in 2026
Technical Challenges and Server Capacity
The launch has not been without its growing pains. Players have reported experiencing lengthy queue times, a common issue for popular online games during their initial release periods. Funcom's CEO and CTO Rui Casais addressed these concerns directly, acknowledging the studio's awareness of player feedback across multiple channels including social media, Discord, support tickets, and Steam reviews. The company has committed to adding additional servers and improving player distribution to ensure adequate capacity for the growing player base.
Long-term Content Strategy Unveiled
Funcom has outlined an ambitious roadmap for Dune: Awakening's future. The Season Pass includes the immediately available Wildlife of Arrakis DLC, featuring four in-game statues celebrating the planet's creatures including the iconic sandworm. Three additional paid DLC releases are scheduled for Q4 2025, Q1 2026, and Q2 2026, with free content updates planned between major releases. This strategy suggests Funcom views Dune: Awakening as a long-term service game rather than a traditional single-purchase title.
DLC Release Schedule:
- Wildlife of Arrakis DLC: Available now with Season Pass
- Unnamed DLC 2: Q4 2025
- Unnamed DLC 3: Q1 2026
- Unnamed DLC 4: Q2 2026
- Free content updates: Between paid DLC releases
Industry Veteran Confidence Despite Launch Issues
Despite the technical challenges, Casais expressed significant confidence in the launch, describing it as his most exciting in nearly 24 years of developing online worlds. Funcom's quarter-century experience in creating online multiplayer experiences provides a foundation for addressing the inevitable issues that arise during major launches. The studio's transparent communication approach and acknowledgment of current limitations may help maintain player goodwill during the critical early weeks.