Dune Awakening’s Approach to Monetization is Refreshing for Those Who Recall Costly Subscription Models

Recent buzz around Dune Awakening has ignited more excitement in the gaming community, thanks to Funcom’s latest insights into their post-launch strategy. Alongside this, they’ve announced the PC requirements via a post on the game’s Steam store page.

Joel Byros, Funcom’s chief creative officer, offers an in-depth look in a brief video at what’s in store for Dune Awakening after its release on May 20. He revealed that, unlike many MMOs, this game won’t require a subscription. Instead, players can enjoy optional paid DLC packs that will be complemented by free updates.

The free updates promise improvements in quality of life, new features, and juicy story content to keep the game’s momentum going. While the specifics of the optional DLCs remain under wraps, players will have the option to purchase them individually or bundled in a season pass.

Byros also hinted at a perk for some players—they’ll be able to start playing Dune Awakening early on May 15 if they opt for certain editions. This early access not only satisfies eager players itching to dive in but also allows the developers to manage server demand, which is critical for a smooth launch. A shaky start can be detrimental to an MMO experience.

The supplementary Steam post provides the lowdown on the necessary PC specs:

Minimum Specifications:

• 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 Specifications:

• 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, PC gamers can look forward to several high-end features to enhance gameplay. Dune Awakening will integrate NVIDIA’s DLSS 4, making it one of the game’s premier titles to offer such a feature. Gamers can also tinker with AMD’s FSR, Intel’s XeSS 2, alongside Razer Chroma RGB and Razer Sensa HD Haptics to elevate the visual and tactile experience.

Thinking about this no-subscription approach, I have to admit it’s quite refreshing amidst today’s subscription-heavy world. Owning a game that I can revisit without constant financial commitment is appealing, much like my periodic returns to Guild Wars 2. So, for me, it’s a thumbs up!

And it appears there’s more to look forward to as Funcom hinted at an upcoming gameplay stream set for March 24, as noted at the end of the Steam post.

What about you? Planning to dive into the dunes on May 20 or snag an early entry on May 15? Share your thoughts with us below!