The developers at Funcom have provided an exciting new look at their upcoming open-world survival MMO, Dune: Awakening. This highly anticipated game, powered by Unreal Engine 5, will transport players to the dangerous yet beautiful desert planet of Arrakis.
As part of a Dune Direct showcase, Funcom concluded with a stunning new Dune: Awakening gameplay trailer titled “Survive Arrakis.” This trailer demonstrates the extreme conditions players will face on Arrakis, from scorching heat to gigantic sandworms bursting from the sand. Players must gather materials, evade threats, and find safe passage across the massive open world.
The gameplay trailer focuses on Dune: Awakening’s survival aspects. It shows the playable character scraping together precious resources and strategically traversing the harsh landscapes. Sandstorms, hostile factions, and lurking sandworms make mere survival difficult.
Funcom also provided two exclusive Dune: Awakening screenshots with IGN, highlighting the game’s gorgeous visuals. Swirling particle effects and detailed textures bring the world to life. Environments range from barren deserts to towering rock formations, each area filled with secrets and perils.
Additionally, a Creating Worlds featurette chronicles Funcom’s journey adapting the iconic Dune universe into a cutting-edge video game. Interviews with the developers reveal how Arrakis was recreated with unbelievable fidelity, truly capturing the foreboding nature described in Frank Herbert’s novels.
Throughout the Dune Direct video, further details on Dune: Awakening’s mechanics emerge. The survival and base-building elements draw inspiration from Funcom’s previous hit MMO, Conan Exiles. Players can share building blueprints and work together to withstand the harsh planet.
The Bene Gesserit faction also plays a key role, with abilities to manipulate both friends and enemies. Creative director Joel Bylos explains players can train in their own ways, learning supernatural skills to control minds and perceive truths. The sandworms themselves cannot be killed, only avoided or exploited against rival groups when possible.
Bylos states Funcom has already been running Dune: Awakening beta tests for months to refine the experience. While more players will gain access over time, he insists the MMO will remain in development as long as needed, not being rushed out prematurely. Eager fans can register for future closed beta access on the official website.
Dune: Awakening first debuted at The Game Awards 2022, promising to explore new possibilities in the blockbuster Dune franchise. Set on the notorious planet Arrakis after the events of Frank Herbert’s novels and Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed films, survival will test even the hardiest colonists.
While no firm release date has been provided, Dune: Awakening is planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. It follows Villeneuve’s Part Two film, which has received glowing praise for its visual splendor and gripping continuation of the sci-fi saga.
With its dangerous yet beautiful world powered by Unreal Engine 5, Dune: Awakening promises an immersive MMO survival experience. Funcom’s pedigree in the genre and intimate knowledge of the Dune IP should excite any fan. While the wait may be long, each new reveal indicates Arrakis has never looked or felt more realistic and alive with peril. Surviving the desert planet promises to test the limits of players and their factions.
What do you think about the Dune: Awakening MMO gameplay from Funcom? Leave a comment and let us know.
My go-to for 95% of games nowadays: Watch Let’s Plays to see if the gameplay loop is good. Character types. Story. The only thing I am really eyeballing atm is Exodus from the old Bioware guys. But even that is on my caution setup due to what most AA and AAA output has turned into.