Spice has always attracted attention, and Funcom’s upcoming survival MMO, Dune: Awakening, is no different.
With a recent dive into the game during their second Dune: Awakening Direct, players were treated to a glimpse of character creation, a unique world structure, and the enticing dangers of the Deep Desert. This isn’t your typical MMO, and that’s precisely what makes it so intriguing.
Persistent Closed Beta Opens the Door to Arrakis
For those eager to brave the harsh sands of Arrakis, good news! Dune: Awakening has officially entered the persistent Closed Beta phase. This extends far beyond previous limited Closed Beta events, allowing testers to explore the entirety of the game.
While a release date remains under wraps, Funcom has hinted at an “epic” gameplay reveal at Gamescom, which could be the venue for a launch announcement.
Character Creation: Shaping Your Destiny on Arrakis
The path to survival on Arrakis begins with character creation. Here, players not only define their character’s physical appearance but also delve into their backstory.
This includes choosing a mentor’s specialization, such as the cunning Mentat, the mysterious Bene Gesserit, the hardened Trooper, or the masterful Swordmaster. Each specialization promises to shape your character’s skills and approach to the unforgiving desert.
A World Divided: Unveiling the Interconnected Map Structure
But the real star of the show was the world structure. Funcom unveiled a fascinating system that breaks away from the traditional single-map MMO format. Instead, Dune: Awakening features a top-down Overland map that seamlessly connects various massive individual maps.
Each of these maps can support hundreds of players concurrently, allowing for a truly bustling and dynamic world. This modular design also paves the way for future expansion, ensuring Arrakis can grow even vaster as the game evolves.
Choosing Your World: A Seamless MMO Experience
Here’s how it works: upon entering Dune: Awakening, players choose a “world,” akin to selecting a server in a traditional MMO. However, this isn’t your average server. It’s a complex infrastructure of interconnected servers that create a single, unified world.
This fosters a seamless experience as you explore and interact with the environment. The key difference lies in the sheer number of players you can encounter. Unlike most survival games restricted to a single map and server, Dune: Awakening’s unique structure allows for a much larger player population.
Hagga Basin: Your Starting Point in the Spice Sands
Your journey begins in the Hagga Basin, a map teeming with at least 40 other players. Here, you’ll hone your survival skills, build a shelter, craft essential tools, and progress your character.
The beauty of this system? Multiple versions of Hagga Basin exist, allowing you to choose the one where your friends are starting. No more worrying about being scattered across different servers – the world browser even pinpoints where your companions are located.
Taking Flight: Exploring the Overland Map and Social Hubs
Once you’re equipped and ready, it’s time to venture beyond the Hagga Basin. Here’s where your trusty ornithopter comes in. This flying machine allows you to soar across the vast Overland map, revealing all the key locations scattered across Arrakis. This map serves as your navigational tool, guiding you towards points of interest and fellow players.
Safety in Numbers: Social Hubs Offer Respite
Your journey across the Overland map can lead you to social hubs like Harko Village and Arrakeen. Themed according to the game’s factions, these hubs offer a sense of security thanks to the Kanly Peace. Here you can unwind in bars, trade with vendors, find a new home through the housing exchange, or even hit the dance floor with friends.
The Deep Desert: A PvP Playground with a Twist
But the real thrill lies in the Deep Desert. This sprawling map, stretching over a massive 500 square kilometers (and potentially even larger!), is where hundreds of players converge. Here, player versus player (PvP) combat reigns supreme, though a PvE (player versus environment) buffer zone exists near the entrance to ensure newcomers can ease into the harsh realities of the desert.
The Deep Desert isn’t just about fighting, however. It’s a dynamic landscape constantly reshaped by the unforgiving Coriolis Storm. Every week, this ferocious storm sweeps across the region, altering the terrain and generating new points of interest. This ever-changing environment fosters a sense of endless exploration and challenges players to adapt their strategies.
A Promising Future for Dune: Awakening
Despite the lack of a confirmed release date, Dune: Awakening remains one of the most anticipated multiplayer titles. Scheduled for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X, cross-play functionality is yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned for further updates as we inch closer to launch and experience the harsh beauty of Arrakis in all its glory.
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