Summary
Dune: Awakeningis set to conduct “large-scale” beta tests, scheduled from May 9 to May 12, ahead of its release on PC on June 10. Developed by Funcom, the studio behind games such asConan Exiles,Dune: Awakeningis poised to adapt the namesake franchise into a multiplayer survival video game.
Back in 2022,Dune: Awakeningwas officially unveiled by Funcom as one of the games stemming out of its partnership with Legendary Entertainment, the production house behind the recentDunemovies. In the time since then, the Norway-based developer has shipped a bunch of different trailers and overseen a few beta test phases, fueling anticipation amongDunefans. After previously marking May 20 as the launch date for the game, theDune: Awakeningdevs shared their decision to postpone the releaseto June 10 earlier in April. Most recently, the team revealed that another round of beta tests is planned ahead of the game’s highly awaited arrival.
In a new announcement, Funcom confirmed its decision to hold “the largest beta yet” forDune: Awakeningin May. Those interested can request access to the forthcoming beta via the game’s Steam page. This particular beta will let a multitude of players—higher than the numbers enrolled in the previous beta tests—experience the studio’s own take onDune’s Sandworm-infested world of Arrakis. Interestingly, it will feature the game’s first 20 hours or the majority of Act 1 of the story. What sets the newly announced beta phase apart from the ones in the past is that there is no non-disclosure agreement in place. In other words, enrolled players can freely share their gameplay with others. Alongside the beta dates, Funcom also shared a fresh trailer for the game which focuses on the latter’s plot and depicts glimpses of the protagonist’s journey.
Dune: Awakening Beta Test Dates
Once the forthcoming beta phase kicks off, Funcom will organize a LAN party broadcast on May 10. During this stream, viewers will be introduced to the various locations in theDune-inspired project as the devs break down the game. Throughout this, “tens of thousands of” beta keys will also be given out, so that more fans cancheck outDune: Awakeningbefore launch.
While theDunegame’s PC launch date is locked in, there is still little to no information about its planned release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles. In 2024, a project lead highlighteddeveloping games for the Xbox Series S as a challenge, hinting at what may be the potential reason for the console versions making slow progress. AfterDune: Awakening’s roll-out on PC, fans could probably expect the console port development to pick up pace, with Funcom possibly concentrating its freed-up resources onto that pipeline.
