Dune: Awakening to Offer Private Servers at Launch

Dune: Awakening will feature private servers from day one. Discover how the developers plan to implement this feature and its functionality.

Dune: Awakening Private Servers Ready on Release Day

Rentable Private Servers Available Immediately

Funcom, the developer, has announced that Dune: Awakening will include rentable private servers upon release. In a June 2 Steam blog post, they outlined the mechanics of these servers and listed rental providers.

Speculation about private servers swirled for months, initially pegged as a post-launch addition. During a February 2025 Q&A, Director Joel Bylos expressed uncertainty about their launch readiness.

Funcom’s recent Steam update revealed faster-than-expected progress, confirming private servers at launch. These servers operate uniquely, allowing players to connect with others across Dune: Awakening’s broader server network, including social hubs and the Deep Desert.

Renting a private server grants access to one Hagga Basin, playable like an official server. These servers link to a World of other private servers, with players choosing their preferred World during rental.

Funcom explained, "This setup ensures you can fully engage with Dune: Awakening’s large-scale multiplayer features, like visiting social hubs and the Deep Desert, to interact with players from any private server in the same World."

Private servers will offer customizable settings, such as Security Zones for enabling PvP in specific areas, Taxation options, and the ability to disable Sandstorms. Admin control panels and character transfers won’t be available at launch but will be addressed later.

Funcom noted that server settings’ flexibility depends on third-party providers like GPORTAL, Nitrado, and xREALM, which handle rentals. The studio does not control rental pricing.

What Makes Dune: Awakening Stand Out

Funcom clarified, "Each server is part of a World with multiple servers sharing the same social hubs and Deep Desert. This creates a community-like feel in the Hagga Basin while supporting persistent building and survival mechanics typical of the genre."

They added, "We blend this with large-scale multiplayer elements seen in MMOs, where hundreds of players connect in social hubs and the Deep Desert for trading, conflicts, and social interactions."

The developers aim to preserve the game’s large-scale multiplayer essence, integral to its features and mechanics. "Releasing a limited version of the game for private servers was never an option," Funcom emphasized.

This approach, though offering fewer settings than typical MMO private servers, prioritizes the game’s multiplayer experience.

Private servers at launch will enhance player flexibility, letting them explore Arrakis on their terms. Dune: Awakening launches June 10, 2025, for PC, with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions to follow. Stay updated with our latest coverage!