Funcom Announce Dune: Awakening Release Date, Character Creation & Benchmark Mode Available On Steam

Funcom has officially announced the release date for their upcoming open-world multiplayer survival game Dune: Awakening, which is heading to PC this year. Developed and published by Funcom, they also revealed pre-order details alongside a new mode that is available for players to "begin their journey today."

The developer and publisher have actively kept players updated with new announcements, gameplay reveals, and details through the Developer Updates and Dune: Awakening Direct presentations. With the game arriving soon, Funcom has also provided pricing and pre-order details for those eagerly excited to experience what Arrakis offers at launch.

The iconic landscapes of Arrakis await players as Funcom announced that Dune: Awakening is heading to PC via Steam on 20th May 2025. The open-world multiplayer survival game, which is based on the legendary works of Frank Herbert, promises "to deliver an experience that resonates with both Dune enthusiasts and survival game fans alike," as they can begin now as a Character Creation & Benchmark Mode is available.

According to the developer, the Character Creation & Benchmark Mode will allow players to create unique characters, which can be imported to the base game at launch once saved in this game mode. Once they've passed the Gom Jabbar test, players can "fine-tune every aspect of your looks, then choose your home planet, caste, and mentor, be it Swordmaster, Bene Gesserit, Mentat, or Trooper," which, once they've locked their created character, they'll receive their "starting abilities" and "gain access to every School" to "mix and match abilities" from any School.

The Benchmark component of this mode gives players information on their PC's "hardware performance and system compatibility" and will be treated to some unique game footage, which the developer stated includes "soaring with an ornithopter and a dramatic encounter with a colossal sandworm." Those who interact with the Character Creation & Benchmark Mode will be awarded an exclusive in-game reward, the Frameblade knife skin, which a key will be distributed to players at the game's launch.

At launch, Funcom has revealed that Dune: Awakening will be priced at $49.99/€49.99 with pre-orders to go live soon; which players who secured their copy will earn the "in-base decoration," the Terrarium of Muad’Dib. As we can anticipate more information on Dune: Awakening ahead of its release, the open-world multiplayer survival game launches on 20th May 2025 on PC via Steam, where players can "hit the sand running" in Arrakis.