Dune: Awakening is Funcom’s attempt to merge the survival MMO formula with one of the most iconic science fiction worlds ever created. The game puts players on Arrakis in an alternate timeline where Paul Atreides never existed, the Fremen are missing, and the Bene Gesserit are quietly pulling strings. You take on the role of an agent moving through politics, survival, and desert warfare in a brutal open world.
The Original Launch
Dune: Awakening was announced at Gamescom in August 2022. It launched on June 10, 2025 for PC, with Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners jumping in a few days earlier on June 5. A console release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S is planned for 2026. At launch, there was plenty of excitement about the ambition of the game. Survival mechanics, desert hazards, and the setting itself earned praise. What pulled players back was performance, bugs, and some balancing issues that left the experience feeling uneven.
Why I Missed It
I never got around to playing at launch. The release landed right between a vacation and a wedding. Life piled up and my time disappeared. I have kept telling myself that I would circle back to it, but the hours needed for a brand-new MMO are hard to carve out. That is not a knock against the game itself. It is just one of those releases that slipped through the cracks of a busy schedule.
Chapter 2 and Lost Harvest DLC
The latest update has brought new life into the game. Chapter 2 is a free update that pushes the story forward with a murder-mystery on Arrakis. It also adds contracts, dynamic encounters, new armor, more character customization, and quality of life improvements. Sandworms are less erratic, quicksand is reduced, and a long list of bugs have been patched out.
Alongside Chapter 2 came the Lost Harvest DLC. This is a paid expansion that adds a short side story involving a crashed spice harvester. It also introduces the Treadwheel vehicle, building decorations, and a small “Dune Man” set. The DLC is priced at $12.99 or available through the season pass. Reception to the DLC has been mixed, mainly because the building set turned out to be only four pieces. Funcom has already acknowledged the disappointment and promised to expand on it later in the year.
What It Means Going Forward
Dune: Awakening is in a stronger position today than it was at launch. Newcomers will find a smoother game, a clearer story direction, and a wider range of customization options. The paid DLC does not change the fundamentals but adds flavor and style. More importantly, the developer has shown a willingness to respond quickly to community feedback.
For me, this update may finally be the push I needed. The game has matured past its rough launch state, and with fresh content hitting, the excuses to keep putting it off are running thin.