Funcom, the studio behind the survival MMO Dune: Awakening, has revealed plans for significant changes to the game’s endgame. The developer aims to tackle player feedback and enhance the overall gaming experience.
Launched in early June 2025, Dune: Awakening garnered praise for its immersive desert gameplay and competitive player-versus-player (PVP) elements. The game has become a milestone for Funcom, setting records as the fastest-selling title in its history and attracting over a million players.
The combination of the iconic Dune universe with refined survival gameplay appealed to both new and returning players familiar with Funcom’s previous titles, such as Conan Exiles. Currently, thousands of players are actively engaged in building and competing for supremacy on the treacherous sands of Arrakis, the universe’s most crucial planet.
Despite its impressive launch, Dune: Awakening has received criticism, particularly regarding its PVP-heavy endgame structure. Funcom’s Creative Director Joel Bylos addressed these concerns in a recent Steam blog post, proposing an array of changes that will introduce player-versus-environment (PVE) options to enhance gameplay diversity.
Currently, the Deep Desert’s PVP system dominates the endgame, forcing players who prefer PVE to engage in activities they might not enjoy. To improve accessibility, some areas within the Deep Desert will be reclassified as “Partial Warfare (PVE),” allowing players to harvest resources without the threat of PVP.
These new zones will be designed for group play but will still present challenges for solo players. Meanwhile, the most valuable regions will retain their PVP status, catering to those who seek high-risk rewards.
Funcom is also addressing PVP balance issues, notably the prevalence of flying ornithopters. Previous updates reduced vehicle damage, but further adjustments will limit the power of rocket-equipped thopters.
The goal is for PVP battles to emphasize teamwork and strategy rather than rely heavily on any single unit. With these upcoming changes, players hope to see an endgame that better reflects their preferences and encourages collaboration.