Funcom, known for developing some of the best MMORPGs in recent history, has announced that it is working on a new Dune MMO, called Dune: Awakening.
This exciting new game will allow players to experience Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi world of Arrakis with thousands of other players, either in 2023 or sometime in the future.
This is great news for fans of the Dune series and MMOs alike, as they will finally be able to fully immerse themselves in this incredible world of Dune Awakening.
In Dune Awakening, players will be able to rise from survival to dominance in a vast and seamless Arrakis shared by thousands of players. The game combines the grit and creativity of survival games with the social interactivity of a large, persistent multiplayer game, creating a unique and ambitious open world survival MMO.
At the time of writing this article we are yet to see any real gameplay footage but the developers have done a great job at showing us their vision for the game.
Your Dune Adventure
Your journey begins on Arrakis, alone on the deadliest planet in the universe. Follow your story throughout Dune – meeting characters from the movies and books. Discover new allies and enemies and exploit your relationships to uncover the mystery that lies just beneath the surface of the sands of Dune Awakening.
Character Creation
It sounds like we are going to get quite an in depth character creation tool, this is what is said on the Dune Steam page: Craft your identity and build your prowess, from deep character creation to skills and abilities that develop the more you use them. Declare your loyalties by what you wear and become known by what you do, whether you are a specialized master or multi-talented adept.
Explore Arrakis
Dune: Awakening brings the epic landscapes of Arrakis to vivid life. Explore deep canyons pockmarked with caves, ancient underground Ecology Labs, boundless rolling dunes, and beyond. Wander the bustling villages before braving the lawless and ever-changing deep desert, where bandits seek easy prey.
An Ever Changing Open World Experience
Beyond The Shield Wall, massive Coriolis storms regularly alter the landscape and uncover new secrets, from valuable natural resources to crashed ships and ancient testing stations. When the dust settles, the race is on. Scout the fresh new land and uncover the secrets of the sands.
Will you be able to Survive?
On Arrakis, water is life. Learn to find it and exercise water discipline by maintaining your stillsuit. Choose where to craft and develop your shelter to survive sun and sandstorms. Weigh each step in the open desert against the risk of sandworms.
Combat & PVP
From watching the Announcement Trailer and reading the information on the Dune website, it looks like we will be getting an exciting 3rd person PVP directional and ranged combat. From deadly ambushes to massive organic battles, with fast-paced interplay between infantry, ground, and flying vehicles. Utilize everything at your disposal, from Holtzman gadgets to an array of ranged firearms. Stretch the limits of human potential using melee techniques and other abilities taught by the Great Schools of the Imperium.
Control the Spice
A big part of Dune Awakening will be around controlling the valuable resource Spice. Search the deserts for massive spice blows to harvest the most valuable resource in the universe. Gather players for a foray into the deep desert or scavenge what you can on the sidelines. Sell spice on the exchange or consume it to expand your potential at the cost of addiction.
Guilds in Dune
Create a guild and grow it into a House Minor by allying yourself with one of the Great Houses. Rise above your rivals and assert economic dominance by controlling valuable resources. Like the sands, power is ever shifting in Dune Awakening.
Build your Base on Arrakis
Create your base, choosing each building piece from a range of distinct styles. Find solid rock away from roaming sandworms and raise temporary outposts for your interests beyond The Shield Wall in Dune Awakening.
Crafting
Craft weapons, armor, vehicles, attachments, modifications, and much more. Hone your crafting skills and acquire the rarest schematics. Creating an efficient harvesting operation and chain of production to make it big on the exchange will grant you wealth and power but also powerful enemies in Dune Awakening.
Dune Awakening doesn’t currently have a release date. You can sign up to the beta which we think may arrive early 2023. As fans of Open World Survival games we are extremely excited at this ambitious project from Funcom.
