Private servers are arriving in Dune: Awakening, though with certain adjustments to preserve the game's massive multiplayer elements.
Funcom announced this update on the Steam store page, confirming that rentable private servers will be accessible immediately for "head start" (early access) players starting Thursday, June 5.
"While we initially planned private servers for post-launch, development progress has accelerated," the team stated. "Still, we want to clarify how private servers function in Dune: Awakening—this isn't your conventional survival game experience."
Each private server will connect to a larger World cluster that shares social hubs and the Deep Desert biome. This design preserves the game's communal atmosphere while offering private spaces."From the beginning, we wanted to maintain the massive multiplayer foundation that defines Dune: Awakening," the developers explained. "This core philosophy means private servers come with certain limitations compared to other survival titles like Conan Exiles."
Players renting servers will control their own Hagga Basin instance but remain connected to a World cluster. While you can't customize social hubs or the Deep Desert, you'll still experience the full range of large-scale multiplayer systems.
Dune: Awakening - January 2025 Screenshots

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So what features will private server owners control? The team confirmed players can:
- Disable security zones for full PvP across Hagga Basin
- Toggle PvP zones (matching official server settings)
- Disable taxation and sandstorms
- Name their server and set access passwords
- Visit other World cluster servers with correct credentials
- Claim land (a feature unavailable on official servers)
"Implementing private servers while preserving our large-scale multiplayer framework posed significant technical challenges," noted the developers. "We believe this balanced approach maintains Dune: Awakening's unique identity while offering private play options."
As noted in IGN's Dune: Awakening closed beta preview: "Funcom's meticulous worldbuilding shines through, blending established lore with creative reinterpretation. The attention to environmental details and faction dynamics will delight Dune enthusiasts."Following its beta-triggered delay, Dune: Awakening now launches June 10, 2025 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Head start participants gain access five days earlier on June 5. For additional details, explore coverage of the MMO's monetization and long-term roadmap, or check the global release timetable for specific regional availability.
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