Dune: Awakening Developer Shares Clear Plans to Enhance Endgame Content and PvP Experience, Reaffirming Commitment to the Deep Desert Concept

Addressing Player Feedback: Improving Endgame and PvP in Dune: Awakening

The developers behind Dune: Awakening, Funcom, have acknowledged ongoing player concerns regarding the highly competitive nature of the Deep Desert. Many players have reported feeling excluded from endgame activities due to the intense PvP environment, which can often lead to griefing and frustration.

Last week, during an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, Funcom reassured fans that they are actively working on solutions to make PvP more balanced and enjoyable. The team emphasized that their goal is to enhance PvP without compromising the experience of PvE players, who should be able to access all endgame content without being forced into unwanted combat.

The Core Concept of the Deep Desert Remains Strong

In a candid message from the creative director, Joel Bylos, the development team reaffirmed their belief in the original vision of the Deep Desert. This location is designed to be a dynamically resetting zone, offering players a challenging activity loop that resets weekly and rewards strategic teamwork.

Bylos explained, “We still believe in the core concept of the Deep Desert — an endlessly renewing location that resets every week and creates an activity loop for great rewards. The tension of venturing into the most dangerous part of Arrakis, eyes peeled for foes, was meant to foster guild cooperation and resilience against the harsh environment.” However, he acknowledged that the current implementation has fallen short of expectations, citing Stephen King’s famous words: “Wish in one hand, sh*t in the other, see which one fills up first,” highlighting the frustrations faced by players.

Balancing PvP and PvE in the Deep Desert

To address the issues stemming from the competitive environment, Funcom plans to introduce new zones marked as “Partial Warfare (PvE).” These areas will allow players to gather rare resources without risk of ambush, making them more accessible for those who prefer PvE gameplay. Meanwhile, the most lucrative zones—such as the largest spice fields, shipwrecks, and Landsraad control points—will remain “War of Assassins (PvP),” emphasizing high risk and high reward.

It’s important to note that the game’s overall design heavily favors group play and guild cooperation. Solo players should anticipate a more grind-heavy experience, as the game encourages team-based strategies for progressing through endgame content.

Upcoming Changes to Ornithopter Combat and Vehicles

One prominent issue has been the dominance of Ornithopter (Thopter) griefing, which disrupts both traversal and combat. Bylos assured players that Thopters will continue to be vital for crossing the desert but should not overshadow ground battles or vehicle combat dynamics. Specific adjustments are planned, including:

Reducing the speed and maneuverability of rocket-armed scout Ornithopters
Increasing heat generation from rockets fired by scouts, balancing their offensive capabilities
Ensuring thrusters provide a maximum speed bonus regardless of wing configuration, so scout Thopters remain the fastest vehicles
Introducing a new Tier 5 infantry rocket launcher to diversify combat options and improve ground-vehicle interactions

The Landsraad System: Fostering Faction Politics and Endgame Engagement

Bylos described the Landsraad as an overarching system designed to energize all endgame activities — including dungeons, contracts, and specialized delivery tasks. Its purpose is to promote faction rivalry, internal politics between guilds, and individual achievement.

“The Landsraad is meant to provide continuous goals for both PvEers and PvPers,” he explained. “It encourages daily and weekly participation, allowing players to earn the votes of various Landsraad houses through political and combat activities.” The development team plans to address existing flaws, such as the current reward system for stockpiling resources, to make the system fairer and more engaging for all players.

Collaborative Development and Future Outlook

Bylos emphasized that once the game launches, the development process will be a collaborative effort between the creators and the community. Feedback will be essential in refining the game and ensuring it becomes an engaging experience for everyone. His words reflect a commitment to transparency and ongoing improvement, aiming to make Dune: Awakening a game that appeals to a broad audience.

He concluded with optimism: “We appreciate your feedback and look forward to a long journey together. Our goal is to be open and clear in our communication, making Dune: Awakening a game that everyone can enjoy.”

Critical Reception and Player Success

Our review awarded Dune: Awakening an 8 out of 10, praising its captivating worldbuilding and survival mechanics. “It’s an excellent survival MMO that immerses players in Frank Herbert’s universe, from dehydration struggles to becoming a powerful warlord of Arrakis,” we noted. However, we also pointed out that combat mechanics and endgame content need further refinement to reach their full potential.

Following its launch, Dune: Awakening received a very positive response on Steam, with over 142,000 concurrent players shortly after release and peaking at nearly 190,000 earlier this month. The game has already surpassed 1 million players, making it Funcom’s fastest-selling title to date.

Alex "Pixel" Petrov

Gaming journalist & industry insider. Covers the latest game releases, updates, and behind-the-scenes dev stories. Knows every Easter egg, patch note, and upcoming title worth hyping. Always gaming, always analyzing.