Dune Awakening’s Monetization Approach Appeals to Those Tired of Expensive Subscription Fees

Exciting times ahead for gamers as new updates on Dune Awakening have just surfaced, thanks to a concise update from Funcom detailing the post-launch trajectory of the game. They’ve also shared the required PC specifications on the game’s Steam store page, adding to the anticipation.

In a brief video, Funcom’s chief creative officer, Joel Byros, unveils plans for the game’s future after its release on May 20 later this year. He highlights that, unlike many other MMOs, Dune Awakening won’t come with a subscription fee. Instead, the game will be powered by optional paid DLC packs, released alongside free updates — a refreshing approach that really puts players first.

Funcom’s strategy includes these free updates bringing enhancements like quality of life improvements, fresh features, new story elements, and all those delightful additions that keep players invested in a live service game. As for the DLCs, while exact details remain under wraps, players can expect them to be sold individually or as part of a comprehensive season pass offering a bundle of content.

Byros also shared that one edition of the game will grant some players early access starting May 15. While this offers a fun early jump into Dune Awakening, Byros explained it’s also a smart move to "balance server load," ensuring a smoother gameplay experience when the game officially launches. After all, a rocky start can be detrimental to an MMO’s success.

The accompanying Steam post further sheds light on what gamers need from their PCs to dive into this world:

Minimum Specs:

• 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 Specs:

• 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

There’s more to the appeal of playing on PC, as the game will support features like NVIDIA’s DLSS 4, making Dune Awakening among the pioneers utilizing this tech. Added to the mix are AMD’s FSR, Intel’s XeSS 2, and Razer Chroma RGB and Sensa HD Haptics, all aimed at elevating the gaming experience.

What do you make of this business model? Personally, I find the plethora of subscriptions overwhelming these days. Buying a game outright and being able to revisit it whenever I choose feels more manageable. That’s why, every so often, I find myself diving back into Guild Wars 2. So from my end, it’s a thumbs up. Plus, we won’t have to wait too long for more insights, as a gameplay stream is pegged for March 24, as noted in the Steam update.

Will you be venturing into the sands on May 20—or maybe even five days earlier? Share your plans with us below!