Dune: Awakening is set on Arrakis and takes inspiration from both Frank Herbert’s novels and Denis Villeneuve’s Academy Award-winning film while exploring exciting new possibilities in the franchise. 

Dune: Awakening combines the grittiness and creativity of survival games with the social interactivity of large-scale, persistent multiplayer games to create a unique and ambitious Open World Survival MMO. Rise from survival to dominance in a vast and seamless Arrakis shared by thousands of players.  

Head into unmapped sectors and be the first to discover secrets and riches before the coriolis storms once again shift the sands and alter the landscape. Narrowly escape colossal sandworms, build your home from shelter to mighty base, and traverse the dunes in iconic vehicles from the universe. 

Hunt for spice blooms and deploy your harvester, then protect it from rival factions in fast-paced, deadly combat that shifts seamlessly from armored groundcars to ornithopters in the sky. Plot your rise to power and build your influence within the Landsraad through careful intrigue. 

Since the early ‘90s, Funcom has honed its craft creating unforgettable experiences in existing IPs and persistent online worlds with games like Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, The Secret World, and Conan Exiles. Now, Funcom sets its eyes on Arrakis, for its most ambitious project yet. 

Developer and publisher Funcom revealed  the first details of Chapter 3, the next free update coming soon to Dune: Awakening.

Chapter 3 Free Update: Bigger and Better Endgame

Most of the improvements and additions in Chapter 3 come directly from player requests and feedback. One of the most popular requests has been providing players with more avenues for progression once they reach tier 6. Chapter 3 aims to deliver on that, providing players with deeper choices and more meaningful ways to advance in both PvE and other playstyles.

“We know players want a richer experience late in the game, and this update lays essential foundations for what’s coming next,” said Joel Bylos, Creative Director on Dune: Awakening. “We’ve rebuilt the Landsraad system from the ground up, added new ways to earn rewards whether you play solo or in groups, expanded faction ranks, and introduced the new Specialization system. It also includes new locations in the overland with brand-new missions and unique repeatable Testing Stations with escalating difficulty for additional rewards. Our goal is to give players more options in the late game than ever.”

That’s far from an exhaustive list. A massive amount of changes, improvements, and additions make Chapter 3 the biggest update to Dune: Awakening since launch.

Combat also sees several improvements alongside the introduction of the Dual Blades, Pyrocket, and a full Rapier rework. For those who can’t wait to see where the main story goes, Chapter 3 picks up where Chapter 2 left off, offering hours more story-driven survival gameplay. 

Raiders of the Broken Lands Paid DLC: More Stuff to Build With

Releasing at the same time as the free Chapter 3 update is Raiders of the Broken Lands, included at no extra cost in the Season Pass. This DLC responds to one of the biggest player asks: more stuff to build with! This comes in the form of a whopping 73 building pieces and 17 decorations inspired by the Imperium’s Smugglers, as well as a dedicated stillsuit set, a light and heavy armor set, weapon variants, swatches, and emotes.

Here’s a visual overview of what’s coming in the Chapter 3 free update and the Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC:

Dune: Awakening will be available at a 35% discount in the Steam Winter Sale starting today. This is the highest discount the game has had since launch, making it the perfect opportunity to finally move to Arrakis and get ready for Chapter 3 releasing soon.

Public Test Client 

As usual, ahead of the update release, you’ll be able to test it on our Public Test Client. This will include most of the update but not the DLC and we’ll hold back the Story content to avoid spoilers. More info on dates for PTC to be revealed later. 

Twitch Drops 

Starting today and running until January 14, the last pieces of the Observer Building Set will be available through Twitch Drops. 
 
When Chapter 3 launches, all previous drops (including the ones starting today) will become available from vendors in Arrakeen and Harko Village where you can buy them for solaris. 

Dune: Awakening Chapter 3 will be available for free, and the Raiders of the Boken Lands DLC can be purchased for $9.99 or as part of the Season Pass ($24.99/€24.99).

Key Features:

• Survive the most dangerous planet in the universe. Build shelters against sandstorms, maintain your stillsuit, and master the old ways to walk even the deepest deserts. Avoid or be devoured by the colossal sandworms that dwell beneath the sands.
• Explore the ever-changing face of Arrakis. Walk the ruins of long-forgotten biological testing stations, scavenge the wreckage of fallen spaceships, and wander the dusty halls of abandoned sietches. Head into unmapped sectors and be the first to discover secrets and riches before the coriolis storms once again shift the sands and alter the landscape.
• Control the spice, control Arrakis. Hunt for spice blooms and deploy your harvester, then protect it from opportunistic raiders and rival factions. Soak the sand in blood as massive battles shift seamlessly from foot to vehicles and from ground to ornithopters in the sky.
• Make plans within plans. Make a name for yourself among the inhabitants of Arrakis. Wield intrigue and force to influence the Landsraad and impact the world. Build your own faction through spice harvesting, trade, subterfuge, and open conflict.
• Awaken the sleeper. Tailor every aspect of your character. Consume spice to conquer your senses and acquire powerful abilities. Hone your craft to become sought out for the finest creations. Construct your fortress in the style of your choosing. The journey is yours to shape.

Currently available for PC (Steam), Dune: Awakening is coming PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.