Dune: Awakening premieres with 117 thousand players on PC

Even before its official release, Dune: Awakening is already showing strength in the MMO market. Developed by Funcom with technical collaboration from a Portuguese studio, the title reached 117 thousand simultaneous players on Steam during early access, which started on June 5, 2025 for those who purchased the more expensive editions.

The Standard version, set to be released on June 10, will cost 49 euros. Early access was granted to those who opted for the Deluxe Edition (69 euros) or Ultimate Edition (89 euros). Funcom's strategy of releasing the game in stages is already showing results by generating engagement and server occupancy in the early stages.

The survival MMO based on the universe of Frank Herbert takes place on Arrakis, and offers exploration of environments like open deserts, underground caves, and abandoned industrial zones. The central concept revolves around survival, resource collection, base building, and multiplayer interactions. The gameplay focuses on mechanics that combine crafting, combat, and territory management, something already established in the genre, but now adapted to the aesthetic and mythology of Dune.

Currently, the game is only available for PC via Steam, but versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are confirmed, although without a defined release date. The absence of crossplay at this point limits integration between platforms, something that may be corrected in future updates — which would be desirable to maintain the longevity of the title.

The significant number of simultaneous players is a sign that investing in a consolidated IP, combined with the online survival genre, can translate into good results for Funcom, which in previous years had a mixed reception with other releases like Conan Exiles. The expectation now lies on server stability, update pace, and community engagement in the coming months.

With a promising initial reception, Dune: Awakening joins other MMOs that seek to capture an audience hungry for lasting experiences and rich universes — but the challenge will be to keep this player base active once the launch effect fades.