Dune: Awakening Devs Outline Plans to Enhance PvP and Tackle Toxicity in the Deep Desert

Introduction: Developer Insights Post-Launch

Since the official release of Dune: Awakening on June 10, the development team at Funcom has been actively engaging with the community through their first comprehensive Q&A session. They addressed upcoming updates, particularly focusing on refining endgame content and improving player-versus-player (PvP) dynamics in the challenging environments of Arrakis.

Addressing Toxicity and Improving PvP in the Deep Desert

One of the primary concerns raised by players has been the toxicity and griefing issues within the Deep Desert zone. In response, Funcom revealed that they are currently “formulating a plan” to make PvP more balanced and enjoyable. While the team has already implemented a patch to prevent players from crushing others with their Ornithopters, they are exploring further modifications to aerial combat vehicles.

Senior Game Director Viljar Sommerbakk shared that the team is considering equipping Ornithopters with rockets that would reduce maneuverability and top speed, aiming to limit their dominance in combat scenarios. Additionally, they might increase the heat cost for firing Scout Orni rockets, which would slightly diminish their effectiveness compared to Assault Ornithopters but still keep them a viable aerial threat.

Future Improvements to PvP Mechanics and Endgame Content

Creative Director Joel Bylos emphasized ongoing efforts to make PvP more rewarding and engaging. He mentioned plans to tweak respawn times and revives, as well as to introduce full loot mechanics through the Landsraad system—encouraging competitive play for those seeking high-stakes rewards. Control points are already present in the Deep Desert, and the team has no current plans to reduce its size. Instead, they are monitoring player behavior to identify the best areas for improvement.

Lead Producer Ole Andreas Hayley also indicated that the Deep Desert will remain a PvP-free zone, but there is potential for new locations featuring factional warfare, adding variety to the conflict zones on Arrakis.

Enhancing Player Experience and Game Responsiveness

To foster more meaningful PvP encounters, Sommerbakk underscored the importance of reliable and responsive gameplay. The team is actively addressing technical issues such as movement desynchronization, rubber banding, and ability activation failures. These adjustments aim to make combat more predictable and enjoyable, encouraging strategic decision-making during fights.

Quality of Life Updates and New Content

Several quality-of-life improvements are on the horizon, including the introduction of named storage containers and vehicles to help players easily distinguish their gear. Additionally, new UI features like “deposit/extract all” buttons for water storages will streamline resource management. The developers are also planning to introduce boss encounters as part of upcoming dungeon content, expanding the PvE experience.

Interestingly, Hayley hinted at the possibility of adding new maps in future updates, citing the rich diversity of locations within the Dune universe as a foundation for ongoing development.

Game Design and Visual Clarity

Regarding in-game visuals, there are no current plans to make it easier to differentiate NPCs from other players, as this aligns with the game’s intended design. When asked about skipping dialogue and animations, Bylos confirmed that such features will not be implemented, maintaining the immersive experience for players.

Reception and Community Response

Our review awarded Dune: Awakening a solid 8 out of 10, praising its excellent world-building and compelling survival mechanics. The game successfully captures the essence of Frank Herbert’s universe, offering a rewarding progression from a dehydrated peasant to a powerful Warlord of Arrakis. However, it still faces challenges, including combat balancing, endgame chaos, and technical bugs.

The game launched with remarkable success, quickly garnering a “very positive” user review rating on Steam. Within hours of release, it saw over 142,000 concurrent players, and over the weekend, the peak player count soared to 189,333.

Additional Content and Resources for Players

If you’re interested in exploring all the Dune: Awakening classes or want a detailed walkthrough to guide your journey, stay tuned to ongoing updates. For survival tips, resource guides covering materials like iron, steel, and aluminum are available to help you thrive on Arrakis.

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.