Dune: Awakening Surges on Steam with Over 189k Concurrent Players

Dune: Awakening

Dune: Awakening, the new survival MMO, officially launched on June 10 for PC, and its debut has drawn significant attention. Within just hours of release, the game reached over 142,000 concurrent players on Steam. By Sunday, June 15, that number had climbed to an impressive 189,333, placing the title as the 6th most-played game on the platform within a 24-hour period.

Developed and published by Funcom, Dune: Awakening is an open-world survival MMO based on an alternate timeline in Frank Herbert’s iconic Dune universe. In this version of the story, Paul Atreides was never born. Instead, players step into the role of a prisoner on the planet Arrakis, exploring its vast deserts while unraveling the mystery of the missing Fremen.

Although PC players have already started their journey across the sand-blasted world, console gamers will have to wait a bit longer. According to Funcom, Dune: Awakening will arrive on consoles sometime in 2026.

Reception has been generally positive, although the road has been slightly bumpy. The game launched with a wave of negative reviews due to server instability and game-breaking bugs. For a brief time, Steam listed the game as “Mostly Negative.” However, after several timely patches and bug fixes, the sentiment shifted dramatically. As of June 16, the game holds a “Very Positive” rating on Steam, with more than 85% of over 26,500 reviews being favorable.

On review aggregators, Dune: Awakening has maintained a strong presence. OpenCritic has given it a “Mighty” rating, with an average score of 85, placing it in the top 9% of reviewed games, and 86% of critics recommend it. Metacritic scores hover around 80 for PC, suggesting a solid if not spectacular reception.

What’s Working

One of the game’s biggest strengths lies in its immersive atmosphere. Critics have praised the detailed recreation of Arrakis, complete with sweeping deserts, sandstorms, and iconic vehicles like ornithopters. The political system, such as the in-game Landsraad where factions compete for control, adds strategic depth, while the sound design and voice acting reinforce the tense survival experience.

Survival mechanics are also thoughtfully implemented. Players must contend with water scarcity, sun exposure, and the ever-present threat of sandworms. Resource gathering avoids tedium thanks to systems like laser-mining, and base-building is surprisingly robust. Structures can be saved as blueprints and traded in-game via the CHOAM Exchange, creating a dynamic crafting economy.

The game’s map is massive and changes over time. Weekly Coriolis storms can reshape the terrain, opening up new areas and opportunities. With hidden caves, wreckage sites, and climbable cliffs, exploration is both rewarding and challenging.

Another highlight is accessibility. The absence of monthly subscriptions or in-game microtransactions is appreciated by players. At a one-time cost of $50, the game offers solo and co-op modes with optional PvP, catering to a broad audience.

Where It Struggles

That said, not everything is smooth sailing on Arrakis. Combat is a consistent point of criticism, described as clunky, repetitive, and lacking depth. Melee feels weightless and janky, while gunplay is merely serviceable. The reliance on slow knife attacks to counter shields adds some Dune-specific flavor but doesn’t fully redeem the experience.

The MMO aspects feel undercooked, with limited player interaction outside of social hubs and PvP zones. Global chat is rarely used, and the game feels more like a co-op survival game than a true MMO for some players. PvP, while optional, is seen as mandatory for endgame progression, frustrating PvE-focused players who feel forced into competitive zones to unlock key content.

Storytelling is another mixed bag. The alternate timeline offers a fresh take, with Lady Jessica giving birth to a daughter instead of Paul. While this opens up new narrative possibilities, it may not sit well with Dune purists. Newcomers, meanwhile, might find the lore overwhelming, especially with the heavy use of Dune-specific terms.

Despite these concerns, Dune: Awakening has made a strong impression in its opening week. It’s clear that Funcom has created a richly detailed world that respects its source material while taking creative liberties. There’s still room for improvement, particularly in combat and technical performance, but if Funcom maintains its momentum with updates and content patches, Dune: Awakening could establish itself as a staple in the survival MMO genre.

For now, Arrakis is alive—and players seem eager to brave its sands.