During Gamescom 2022, Funcom unveiled an open-world multiplayer survival game titled Dune: Awakening. A cinematic trailer accompanied the reveal, hinting at a vast, sand-swept universe built around Frank Herbert’s iconic saga and the cinematic interpretation by Denis Villeneuve.
The project bridges Herbert’s literary universe with the visual language of the recent film. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune: Awakening invites players to push into uncharted dunes, uncover hidden locales, and gather rare herbs while evading colossal sandworms and navigating ever-shifting landscapes.
Beyond mere survival, the game challenges players to expand their influence within the Landsraad. Strategy will matter as much as skill, with diplomacy, intrigue, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering shaping power dynamics among rival factions and your standing within the broader political calculus of the dune universe.
Official visibility for the game includes a Steam page, and the title is planned for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and Series S. A concrete launch date has not been announced, leaving fans awaiting further updates on availability and system requirements.
Connections to the franchise are reinforced through world-building that emphasizes exploration, factional politics, and survival tactics in a hostile, sun-scorched environment. Players can expect a living, breathing ecosystem where resource collection, environmental hazards, and enemy encounters require careful planning and teamwork.
Art direction and world design draw from the rich texture of the Dune mythos, offering a dense setting that rewards exploration and strategic coordination. The game’s core promise is a persistent, shared environment where players continually shape the political and ecological balance of Arrakis through action, alliance, and negotiation. The project’s development narrative suggests a focus on community-driven experiences, cooperative play, and competitive play modes that align with the franchise’s enduring themes of power, survival, and intrigue. The project is being developed with attention to staying faithful to the source material while delivering a modern multiplayer experience that resonates with contemporary gaming audiences. (VG Times)