Funcom has announced that “Dune: Awakening,” an open-world survival MMO, is slated for release in early 2025. The console version will follow at a later date. This announcement was made during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, where a five-minute exclusive gameplay reveal was showcased.
The game, set on the perilous planet of Arrakis, invites players to navigate the harsh desert environment and evade the colossal sandworms that lurk beneath its surface. Drawing from the rich lore of the Dune universe, players can choose different paths to develop their characters, such as Mentat, Trooper, Planetologist, Swordmaster, or Bene Gesserit. The gameplay emphasizes survival, base-building, combat, and the strategic control of spice — a highly valuable resource within the game.
“Revealing gameplay for the first time is always a big moment, especially in a game where the interplay between all these systems can create completely unexpected moments, but the team has done an incredible job and we can’t wait to see how the community reacts,” said Joel Bylos, creative director at Funcom.
Aside from the reveal, Gamescom attendees were treated to an extended 30-minute gameplay presentation. The presentation was marked by a towering sandworm sculpture at Funcom’s booth, drawing attention from the crowd. For those unable to attend, the presentation will be livestreamed by popular content creators like Sacriel, Alphacast, and Mowky in the coming days.
Journalists and select content creators also had the opportunity to experience the game behind closed doors.
“Dune: Awakening” offers an alternate history where Paul Atreides was never born, allowing players to shape the future of Arrakis. The game’s next major showcase will occur on Aug. 29 during the third “Dune: Awakening Direct,” offering more insights into the gameplay and features.