The open-world MMO that sparked so much excitement won’t force players into subscriptions or endless microtransactions. Dune: Awakening offers a full game with no monthly fees and completely optional DLC content.

Just two months away from launch, Dune: Awakening has been building anticipation for over a year with its stunning Unreal Engine 5-powered landscapes and intriguing gameplay promises. Now, as release nears, Funcom has confirmed some welcome details: there will be no early access phase, and no subscription fees, setting it apart from many other MMOs.

Creative Director Joel Bylos shared insights on the game’s business model in a new YouTube video. According to Bylos, the base game will be released in full, with future updates delivered as optional paid DLC. “With every major update, we’ll release a paid DLC,” he explained.

This model means players can choose whether or not to pay for additional content, without missing out on the core experience. There will also be regular free content updates. A Battle Pass system will exist, but expansions can also be bought separately, letting players avoid the pass entirely if they wish.

No subscription required – just buy it and play

Unlike many other MMOs, Dune: Awakening won’t lock content behind a recurring fee. Similar to Conan Exiles (though that wasn’t an MMO), the full game will be accessible with a single €49.99 purchase.

Bylos emphasized this affordability, calling it “a reasonable price” in today’s market, especially compared to other PC releases.

Early trailers left a strong impression, even among the editors at 3DJuegos. Though some feared the game missed its moment following Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films, everything shown so far suggests it captures the franchise’s essence. Expectations are high ahead of launch.

Source: 3djuegos