Arrakis is calling – and over 17,000 players have already answered. Funcom’s highly anticipated survival MMO, Dune Awakening, has cracked open the doors to its closed Steam beta, offering a last taste of spice before the full launch in early June. But with a unique twist on the genre, MMO ambitions, and a distinctly Dune spin on survival, does this test run live up to the hype?
The Dune Awakening closed beta, live now until May 12, is already making waves for its scale and accessibility. With the legendary IP at its back and systems that push beyond standard survival fare, Funcom is betting big – and letting fans see for themselves, with no NDA attached.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Funcom |
| Release Date | Early June 2025 |
| Genres | Survival, MMO, Open World |
| Platforms | PC (Steam) |
At its core, Dune Awakening is more than just another open-world survival title. The game is set on an Arrakis where Paul Atreides never existed, tossing players into a spiraling civil war. This narrative twist alone will tantalize Dune fans, but the gameplay is what sets the hook deep: environmental hazards like heatstroke and dehydration, colossal sandworms, and both PvE and PvP threats turn every trek into a tense gamble with the desert.
Building and crafting are front and center, but with that Dune flavor. You’re not just slapping down another wooden hut — you might be erecting a shaded outpost against the blazing sun or piecing together an ornithopter to soar beyond the horizon. The crafting loop is familiar for genre fans, but the context lends it extra urgency: fail to prepare, and the planet will eat you alive.
What pushes Dune Awakening into new territory is its MMO DNA. Beyond just surviving, you’re sharing servers with dozens of other players. Proximity and text chat foster alliances or rivalries, while social hubs, PvP maps, and group PvE raids layer on the complexity. There’s even a player-driven trading system, hinting at an emergent economy amid the chaos.
Getting into the beta isn’t as punishing as a trek through the open desert. Anyone who pre-orders on Steam is guaranteed access. If you haven’t, you can still request entry directly on Steam, sign up via the game’s website, or tune into Funcom’s Twitch LAN Party on May 10 for a shot at beta keys. Since there’s no NDA, expect an explosion of streams and first impressions over the weekend, even if you can’t play directly.
With the beta already swelling past 17,000 players and more gaining access every hour, Funcom’s final stress test for Dune Awakening is off to a dramatic start. The sheer ambition — blending survival mechanics, MMO features, and a revered setting — is undeniable. The question for the weeks ahead: can Funcom balance such a volatile mix, and deliver an Arrakis worth conquering?
Dune Awakening’s closed Steam beta is live, letting thousands sample Funcom’s ambitious survival-MMO take on Arrakis before launch. With survival mechanics rooted in classic Dune lore, deep building systems, and MMO-scale social features, this test is shaping up to be a proving ground for one of 2025’s most anticipated games. The beta ends May 12 — and everyone’s invited to watch or join the chaos.
Source: Funcom via GamesPress