Dune Awakening’s Monetization Approach Appeals to Those Nostalgic for Subscription-Free Models

Exciting updates on Dune Awakening have just landed online, thanks to a fresh announcement from Funcom detailing their post-launch plans for the game. Additionally, they’ve revealed the PC requirements on the game’s official Steam page.

In a brief video presentation, Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos laid out what players can expect after the game’s release on May 20 later this year. Bylos explained that, unlike many other MMOs, Dune Awakening won’t require a subscription. Instead, the game will be supported through optional paid DLC packs, released alongside free updates.

These free updates will focus on enhancing the gameplay experience by adding quality of life improvements, new features, and additional story content. As for the optional DLCs, while specifics remain under wraps, players will have the option to purchase them individually or as part of a bundled season pass.

Bylos also mentioned that certain versions of the game will grant early access, allowing players to dive into Dune Awakening on May 15. He pointed out that this early access is not just a fun perk for players but also a strategy to ensure stable server loads and a smooth launch day, which is crucial for any MMO’s success.

To complement the video, an informative Steam post outlined the following minimum and recommended PC specs:

Minimum Requirements:

• 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 Requirements:

• 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

Moreover, the post unveiled some of the exciting PC features that players can explore, including the debut of NVIDIA’s DLSS 4 in a fully released game, along with AMD’s FSR, Intel’s XeSS 2, and Razer Chroma RGB and Razer Sensa HD Haptics compatibility. PC players have a suite of tools to enhance their gameplay experience.

What are your thoughts on this business model? Personally, with so many subscriptions out there, I appreciate a game I can just purchase and dip in and out of at my leisure. That’s one reason why I often return to Guild Wars 2. So this model works for me! Plus, stay tuned for additional news during a gameplay stream scheduled for March 24, as mentioned in the Steam blog post.

Will you be adventuring in the dunes on May 20, or perhaps even earlier? Drop your thoughts below!