"Dune: Awakening Dev Confirms Full Launch Date, Announces Optional DLCs"

Funcom, the developer behind the eagerly awaited Dune: Awakening, has provided an exciting update on the game's business model and post-launch plans. The studio confirmed that the game's release on May 20 will be a "full launch" rather than an Early Access version. This multiplayer survival game, inspired by Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel and its subsequent movie adaptations, will not require a subscription, despite being categorized as an MMO.

Instead of a subscription model, Funcom plans to enhance Dune: Awakening through free updates that will bring new content and features to the game. The studio will also adhere to a "classic business model" by offering optional DLCs. Funcom highlighted their commitment to long-term support by referencing their ongoing updates and expansions for other MMOs like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles. "Dune: Awakening will be no exception, and it will continue to expand with free updates bringing new content, features, and enhancements," Funcom stated.

The standard edition of Dune: Awakening is priced at $49.99. For those looking for more, the Deluxe Edition, priced at $69.99, and the Ultimate Edition, at $89.99, offer a five-day head start and various exclusive items. Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions include a Season Pass that unlocks four DLCs over time, with the first DLC available at launch.

Players opting for the Deluxe Edition will receive the armor of the Sardaukar, the elite military force that hunts players within the game. The Ultimate Edition includes all the Deluxe Edition content, plus Paul Atreides' iconic stillsuit from the 2021 film, a digital artbook, a digital soundtrack, unique color patterns, and the Caladan Palace Set, which comes with building pieces, placeables, and decorations.

Pre-ordering any edition of the game grants players a universal color pattern applicable to vehicles, weapons, and armor, along with the Terrarium of Muad'Dib, an in-base decoration featuring the iconic desert mouse.

Funcom also detailed Dune: Awakening's PC features and system requirements. The game supports advanced graphics technologies such as Nvidia's DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS 2.

Minimum System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-7400, AMD Ryzen 3 1200
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB), AMD Radeon 5600XT (6GB)
• Storage: 60 GB available space

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit (or newer)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-10700K, AMD Ryzen 5 2600X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8GB), AMD Radeon 6700XT (12GB)
• Storage: 75 GB available space

For a deeper dive into Dune: Awakening, check out IGN's final preview of the game.