Dune: Awakening Breaks Steam Records with Massive Player Surge

Massive Launch Success for Dune: Awakening

Since the early access phase began on June 5, dedicated fans have been exploring the vast deserts of Arrakis. However, the official worldwide release of Dune: Awakening took place on June 10, and it didn’t take long for the game to make a splash. Within just a few hours of going live, Funcom’s survival MMO attracted over 142,000 concurrent players on Steam, reaching a peak of precisely 142,050 players. This impressive number catapulted it to the ninth position among the most-played games on Steam over the past 24 hours.

Early Indicators of Growing Popularity

Analysts and fans alike anticipate that these numbers will continue to grow as the game settles into its new player base. With the first weekend following launch approaching, it’s expected that Dune: Awakening could hit even higher concurrent player peaks on Saturday or Sunday, further solidifying its place among Steam’s top titles.

Platform Delays and Community Innovations

While the game is currently only available on PC, Funcom has announced that the console version is not expected until “sometime in 2026.” Despite this, players have already found creative ways to enjoy the game, such as discovering methods to ride sandworms—an officially unsupported feature that has become a popular community workaround.

First Impressions and Ongoing Review

Our ongoing review of Dune: Awakening is still in progress. Although we haven’t assigned a final score yet and remain somewhat cautious about the gunplay mechanics, early impressions are promising. One of our reviewers shared: “After more than 35 hours, I feel like I’m still early in my adventure. There are numerous zones to explore, the main story remains largely untouched, and I’ve only dipped into PvP. There’s a lot to do, and I plan to update you as I progress toward the endgame.”

Helpful Resources for New Players

Community and Future Updates

The vibrant community continues to experiment and share tips, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible within the game. As the developers prepare for future updates, including console releases, players can look forward to even more content and improvements in the months ahead.

About the Author

Vikki Blake is an experienced gaming journalist, critic, columnist, and consultant with over 15 years of experience working with major gaming outlets. She is a dedicated fan of various game genres and enjoys sharing insights into the latest titles. Find her updates and opinions on her BlueSky profile.

Emma Blake

Emma Blake

Emma is a tech-savvy news editor who thrives on staying ahead of the curve. With a background in digital journalism and media studies, she brings readers up-to-the-minute updates on gaming, tech, and entertainment trends. Emma’s writing is sharp, insightful, and always backed by credible sources. Her mission is to keep the community informed and curious about the fast-changing digital world.

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