Dune: Awakening Full Launch Date Set, No Subscription

Dune: Awakening will launch on May 20 as a complete title rather than an Early Access release, developer Funcom has confirmed in a new update about the game's monetization strategy.

The multiplayer survival experience - inspired by Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi universe and its recent film adaptations - will adopt a traditional buy-to-play model despite being positioned as an MMO, with no subscription requirements.

Funcom plans to sustain the game through optional DLCs while providing free ongoing content updates, citing their track record with long-running titles like Anarchy Online and Conan Exiles. "We'll continue expanding Dune: Awakening with complimentary updates introducing fresh content and gameplay enhancements," the studio stated.

Pricing tiers include a $49.99 Standard Edition, with premium $69.99 Deluxe and $89.99 Ultimate versions offering five-day early access and exclusive cosmetic items. The included Season Pass grants access to four post-launch DLCs, the first available immediately.

Higher-tier packages feature signature items like Sardaukar armor, Paul Atreides' film-accurate stillsuit, and decorative elements including the Caladan Palace building set. Pre-order bonuses apply to all editions.

Technical specifications confirm support for modern upscaling technologies including DLSS 4, FSR and XeSS 2. Minimum requirements call for a GTX 1060, while optimal performance demands an RTX 3070.

Check IGN's hands-on preview for deeper insights into the Arrakis survival experience before its May debut.