Dune: Awakening Official Release Confirmed!
Although my “old gamer” mind knows them best for older titles like The Longest Journey and its sequel Dreamfall, the Norwegian studio Funcom is currently well-known for games like Conan Exiles and Anarchy Online, among many others. Recently, they officially announced that Dune: Awakening, their open-world multiplayer survival game based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune, will launch on May 20 this year. Over the years, we’ve seen countless movies, series, and video games inspired by this work, and Dune: Awakening is undoubtedly the largest and most epic adaptation to date.
The game’s 1.0 version will initially launch on PC via Steam, with later releases for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on dates yet to be confirmed. Without a doubt, this is one of the most anticipated games on Valve‘s platform, currently boasting over one million players who have already added it to their Wishlist. Dune: Awakening offers an intriguing mix of cinematic adventure, MMO, and survival mechanics, which can also be enjoyed solo. Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind Denis Villeneuve‘s films, is a major collaborator on the project.
The Hostile and Fascinating World of Arrakis
Our journey in this world will begins in the worst possible way, or at least, unless you’re a fan of Skyrim‘s intro XD, as prisoners sent to Arrakis to unravel the mystery of the Fremen‘s disappearance. In this context, we must learn to survive under extreme conditions, making use of even the smallest patches of shade to escape the scorching sun and seeking shelter to withstand the planet’s relentless and life-threatening environment.
In this setting, crafting and upgrading our stillsuits, building shelters, and learning to deal with the massive sandworms that roam the desert, along with the merciless sandstorms, will become part of our daily routine. Despite the dangers, exploration will be a fundamental aspect of the game: we’ll be able to pilot ornithopters and use suspensor belts to travel across the endless seas of sand, which will feature deep canyons and some bustling settlements like Arrakeen and Harko. Eventually, we will discover that the game’s world is a dynamic environment, where coriolis storms reshape the landscape, constantly offering new locations, resources, and challenges to uncover.
One major positive aspect will be the extensive customization available, not just for our suits and vehicles but also for our own appearance, allowing us to create unique characters with a wide variety of emotes and aesthetic options. Regarding combat, it will blend melee and ranged encounters, letting us participate in epic battles using a broad range of strategies and weapons. Beyond combat, Dune: Awakening will also feature political intrigue and server-driven narratives, where players can form alliances, engage in the in-game economy, and even rise to power within this immersive world!
The Story of Dune: Frank Herbert’s Sci-Fi Masterpiece
In a distant future where great interstellar empires fight for control over resources, the planet Arrakis becomes the center of a political and spiritual battle. Known as Dune, this arid world is the only place where the spice melange is found-a substance of immeasurable value that grants longevity, expanded consciousness, and the ability to navigate through space. The Atreides family, led by Duke Leto, is sent to govern Arrakis, but they soon fall victim to a betrayal orchestrated by House Harkonnen, their ruthless enemies. Amidst conspiracy and war, Paul Atreides, the duke’s son, is forced to flee into the desert, where he encounters the Fremen, Arrakis’ native inhabitants, who believe he may be the messiah of an ancient prophecy.
As Paul adapts to desert life, his connection to the spice and his prophetic abilities grow stronger, allowing him to foresee a destiny of cosmic proportions. Over time, he becomes Muad’Dib, the leader of the Fremen, and leads a revolution against those who have oppressed his people and exploited his planet. However, the path to power is perilous, and Paul has to confront the reality of his own fate and the grave consequences of his rise. Dune is a masterpiece of science fiction that blends politics, ecology, religion, and philosophy in an epic story about power, survival, and the destiny of humanity in a vast and unforgiving universe.
Now, to be honest, over the years I haven’t played any of the Dune adaptations simply because none of them ever captured my attention enough, none of the genres in which Herbert‘s work has been adapted, to be precise. However, I can assure you that I have read the book, which, in my Spanish edition, had over 700 pages, and it kept me hooked from the first page to the last. Of course, I’ve seen several film adaptations and series, if I recall correctly. The fact is that, while I can’t speak on Dune as a gaming topic, I can say that the universe it’s based on is simply fascinating, and obviously, I can’t wait for this game’s official release to finally experience it firsthand!
The system requirements for Dune: Awakening have not yet been announced, so we’ll have to wait, but at least now we know the definitive release date. And while we wait, how about meeting up in the comments to chat about our thoughts on this impressive adaptation? You know, gamer, we’ll be reading you! 😉
Images Source: IGN Official YouTube Channel, Dune: Awakening on Steam, VANDAL
