Dune: Awakening Endgame Overhaul Introduces Major PVE Zones and PVP Balancing

Image: Dune: Awakening

Funcom has announced major changes to the endgame of Dune: Awakening, aiming to make it more accessible and balanced for both PVP and PVE players.

Since its launch in early June 2025, Dune: Awakening has become a major success story for Funcom. The survival MMO, set in the iconic world of Arrakis, has already drawn over a million players and quickly became the fastest-selling title in the studio’s history. Its blend of open-world survival mechanics with competitive PVP attracted fans of both the Dune franchise and Funcom’s earlier work on Conan Exiles.

However, even with such a strong debut, the game hasn’t been without criticism. Many players have voiced concerns about how heavily the endgame favors PVP, especially within the Deep Desert — a high-stakes zone where the most valuable gear and resources are found. In response, Funcom’s Creative Director Joel Bylos outlined a new direction for the endgame in a detailed Steam blog post, offering solutions that could change the core experience for many players.

According to Bylos, the Deep Desert will be restructured to include new “Partial Warfare (PVE)” zones. These areas will allow players to explore, complete objectives, and harvest rare Tier 6 materials without being forced into PVP combat. This is aimed particularly at players who enjoy the game’s systems but have little interest in high-pressure player-versus-player encounters. That said, the gameplay in these zones will still be geared toward group or guild coordination, making it tough for solo players to breeze through.

For those who thrive on the thrill of combat, don’t worry — the heart of the Deep Desert will still feature “War of Assassins (PVP)” zones, including the largest spice fields and top-tier loot. Funcom wants to retain the high-risk, high-reward feel for hardcore competitors, but without alienating those who prefer a different playstyle.

PVP itself is also getting a balance pass. One major issue has been the overwhelming power of flying ornithopters, especially those armed with rockets. While a previous patch removed vehicle ramming damage, more tweaks are on the way. Bylos emphasized that PVP should feel like a “combined arms” scenario — not one dominated by air superiority.