In the vast, unforgiving desert of Arrakis, survival is not just a goal—it's a constant battle against the elements, the wildlife, and other players. Norwegian developer Funcom has been quietly crafting an open-world survival MMO set in the Dune universe, and during a recent Dune Direct showcase, they pulled back the curtain on Dune: Awakening. The nearly 25-minute digital event culminated in a new gameplay trailer subtitled "Survive Arrakis," offering a breathtaking glimpse of what awaits. Powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 5, the trailer is visually stunning, showcasing the extreme conditions on the planet, from the harsh climate to gigantic sandworms emerging from the sand and evading hostile enemies. The gameplay also leans into survival aspects, with snippets of your playable character gathering materials and finding various ways of traversing the massive open world. You know, the usual desert survival drill—except this is Arrakis, where everything wants to kill you.

In addition to the trailer, Funcom released two new screenshots exclusively through IGN. The first shows some of the game's particle effects in action, while the second highlights the impressive lighting and character design. The screenshots reveal a world that is both beautiful and dangerous, with the harsh sun casting long shadows across the dunes and the intricate details of the character models bringing the universe to life. The desert itself becomes a character, shifting and changing with every step. The second screenshot, in particular, shows off the game's lighting and other aspects of Dune: Awakening's character design, giving players a taste of the visual fidelity they can expect.

Funcom also released a host of other screenshots showing off the world, as well as a featurette titled "Creating Worlds," which chronicles the game's journey from "book to movie to game." It includes interviews with the development team interspersed with footage from the film, revealing how Funcom brought the forbidding world of Arrakis to life. The rest of the Dune Direct detailed the game's survival mechanics and other elements. Creative director Joel Bylos explained how Dune: Awakening takes the base-building from Conan Exiles and builds on it, with a special emphasis on sharing blueprints between different players. This means you can collaborate with others to create sprawling bases, or perhaps steal their designs—hey, it's a survival game, after all.

Bylos also discussed the ways in which players will be able to learn abilities from the "great schools of the universe." This includes becoming a Bene Gesserit, which allows you to "compel enemies to come closer so you can stab them with a knife." That's a rather direct approach, but it fits the ruthless world of Dune. The game encourages players to choose their path, whether they want to be a sneaky assassin, a powerful leader, or a master builder.

As for sandworms, Bylos says they are more of a "tension mechanic." There's no way to kill them; they can only be avoided. However, you can lure them into your enemies (or friends), or simply avoid them with an ornithopter. The sandworms are not just a threat; they are a force of nature that players must respect and manipulate. This adds a layer of strategy to every encounter, as you never know when a giant worm might burst from the sand. Let's be real, those things are terrifying.

Funcom has been running betas for Dune: Awakening for several months now, with the intention of bringing in more players over time. However, Bylos says that Funcom has no intention of "rushing it out the door," saying that it "takes as long as it takes." This patient approach is refreshing in an industry often plagued by rushed releases. Players hoping to sign up for one of the closed betas can do so at the game's official website. As of 2026, the game is still in development, and no release date has been announced. We previously learned that it will be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Dune: Awakening was first announced in 2022 at The Game Awards. Set on the sandworm-filled planet Arrakis, the game "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." The announcement came following the release of Dune: Part Two, which hit theaters in 2024 and received critical acclaim for its staggering visuals and transportive storytelling. The game aims to capture that same sense of wonder and danger, translating it into an interactive experience.

With its stunning visuals, deep survival mechanics, and faithful adaptation of the Dune universe, Dune: Awakening is shaping up to be a must-play for fans of the franchise and survival MMO enthusiasts alike. Funcom's dedication to quality over speed is commendable, and the ongoing betas suggest that the game is being polished to a shine. So, keep an eye on the sands—Arrakis may be calling sooner than you think. Or maybe not. As Bylos said, it takes as long as it takes. But when it does arrive, it promises to be an epic journey.