Dune: Awakening Release Date Pushed Back Following Beta Tester Feedback
Developers cite "critical refinements" needed to meet expectations for the survival MMO's launch.
Fans eagerly awaiting Dune: Awakening, the ambitious open-world survival MMO set in Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi universe, will need to wait a little longer. Funcom, the studio behind the game, announced a brief delay to the release date today, citing feedback from its recent closed beta test as the primary reason. The decision underscores the studio’s commitment to polishing the game, even if it means shifting timelines.
“Our beta testers have been invaluable,” said Creative Director Joel Bylos in a statement. “While the core experience resonated with players, we’ve identified areas where we can elevate gameplay, stability, and immersion. Delaying the launch—even slightly—is about respecting the community and the Dune legacy.” The revised release window is now slated for Q1 2025, a minor but notable shift from the originally planned late 2024 debut.
The closed beta, which ran for three weeks in June, invited over 50,000 players to brave the deserts of Arrakis, testing survival mechanics, faction-based warfare, and the game’s dynamic sandstorm system. While feedback praised the game’s atmospheric world-building and strategic base-building, testers flagged issues with server stability, combat balancing, and progression pacing. One beta participant described the experience as “Dune meets Rust, but with spice-induced growing pains.”
For those eager to dive into the fray, the Dune: Awakening Steam store page remains active, offering wishlisting and updates ahead of the launch. Funcom has also teased a second beta phase later this year, promising “substantial improvements” based on player critiques.
Community reactions have been mixed but largely supportive. “I’d rather wait a few more months than get a broken game,” wrote one Reddit user, echoing sentiments across forums and social media. Others expressed frustration over the lack of a concrete date, though Funcom assures fans that the delay is “measured in weeks, not years.”
With Dune: Part Two reigniting global hype for the franchise, the pressure is on for Dune: Awakening to deliver a game worthy of Herbert’s universe. As Bylos put it: “Arrakis demands patience. So do we.”
Stay tuned for further updates—and don’t forget to stockpile your stillsuits.
