Dune: Awakening Update 1.1.0.17 Transforms Endgame Experience with Major Map and PvP Enhancements

Exciting Changes in the Latest Dune: Awakening Patch

Funcom is rolling out rapid updates to Dune: Awakening, constantly refining the game based on player feedback. Less than a week after introducing the Public Test Client and announcing plans to expand the Deep Desert’s PvE zone from approximately 10% to a full 50% of the map, the studio has confirmed that these changes will be available for all players starting June 26. This swift progression demonstrates their commitment to improving the endgame experience.

Expanding the Deep Desert’s PvE Zone

According to the latest patch notes, the PvE area now covers the entire southern half of the Deep Desert map. This adjustment allows players who prefer to avoid PvP to explore and enjoy the game’s content without engaging in combat with other players. Control Points, caves, and Imperial Testing Stations within this region are now designated as PvE zones, creating a safer environment for solo and PvE-focused players.

However, some elements like Control Points and Shipwrecks will still be PvP hotspots across the map. This means that localized PvP encounters can occur within the PvE zones, similar to how Shipwrecks are PvP zones within Hagga Basin. Funcom emphasizes that they will continue to listen to community feedback and make necessary adjustments in future updates.

Balancing Resources and Endgame Content

To preserve the game’s risk-versus-reward dynamic, the update introduces several strategic changes:

The density of valuable resources increases as players venture north, with high-yield resource clusters and the largest spice fields spawning in the northern regions.
Most Control Points are now located in the northern part of the map.

Additionally, resource balancing adjustments have been made to enhance gameplay fairness:

Loot in the PvE zones is now balanced towards shared loot and PvE activities, making it easier for players to acquire gear and schematics without the threat of losing everything to PvP.
In the PvP zones, loot remains “first come, first served,” with higher quantities and more schematics, making these areas more lucrative but riskier.
Special resources like plasteel plates are exclusive to PvP zones, further incentivizing exploration of both map sections.
The number of active spice fields has been adjusted—medium fields reduced from 8 to 5, while small fields increased from 20 to 22.
The spawn rates of rare minerals like Titanium and Stravidium have been decreased in PvE areas, with larger quantities still available in the northern PvP zones. Respawn times for these minerals have been increased from 30 to 45 minutes.

Vehicle and Gameplay Improvements

Ornithopter Adjustments

Work has begun on balancing the Scout Ornithopters: equipping a rocket launcher module will now reduce their top speed by 20%. Assault Ornithopters will see a 10% decrease in speed when carrying such modules.
The infocards for these modules have been updated to reflect these changes.
Exiting an ornithopter mid-flight will now cause it to drop straight down instead of gliding away, reducing the chance of losing your vehicle unexpectedly. A known issue involves quicksand interactions, which will be addressed in future patches.

New Visiting and Claiming Mechanics

Restrictions on visiting other sietches have been removed. Previously, players could visit but not claim land in others’ sietches. Now, any player can visit and claim land freely within their world’s sietches.

Technical, Stability, and Community Features

Game stability has been improved, and support for the latest NVIDIA drivers has been added.
Players can now report disruptive behavior directly through text chat or via the Inspect menu, enhancing community moderation.

Bug Fixes and Quality of Life Enhancements

Technical Fixes

Several exploit vulnerabilities have been patched to ensure fair gameplay.
Issues causing players to get stuck on infinite loading screens or experience client freezes during server travel have been resolved.

User Interface and Gameplay Fixes

Localization issues with guild faction alignment have been fixed.
Players skipping the cinematic at “The Wreck of the Hephaestus” will no longer encounter black screens.
Research schematics for Sandbikes now correctly reference Imperial Testing Stations as primary sources.
Exiting ornithopters at the right time will now prevent unintended gliding or loss of control.

Travel and Miscellaneous Updates

Players can now use pilot services to fly from cities to Hagga Basin, regardless of their current location.
Learned emotes will no longer be lost when respecifying skill trees, improving customization consistency.

Endgame and Player Reception

Since its launch, Dune: Awakening has achieved remarkable success, earning a “very positive” rating on Steam. The game hit over 142,000 concurrent players shortly after launch and peaked at a new high of 189,333 players earlier this month. Overall, more than 1 million players have experienced the game, making it Funcom’s fastest-selling title to date and earning an impressive 8/10 review score.

If you’re just starting out and unsure where to begin, consider exploring the different Dune: Awakening classes. Keep an eye on guides and walkthroughs that cover the story, resources like iron, steel, and aluminum, and locations for trainers—all designed to help you survive and 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.