From May 9 to 12, 2025, there will be a large-scale beta weekend on Steam for Dune: Awakening. MeinMMO summarizes everything important for you regarding start time, content, and accesses.
When does the beta start exactly? The last test phase before the final launch on June 10, 2025, runs on Steam from May 9 to 12, 2025. So it kicks off on Friday at 2:00 PM CEST, with the end of the beta expected on Monday at 11:59 PM CEST.
How can I access the beta? Firstly, on Steam, there’s the option to request access for the beta. However, there won’t be a guaranteed access this way. If you receive an invitation, you will be notified via email. The developers have confirmed that they will send out invitations in multiple waves over the entire weekend.
Secondly, on May 10, 2025, starting at 9 PM, there will be a stream during which tens of thousands of beta accesses will be distributed. Where? On Twitch!
Furthermore, those who register their email address on duneawakening.com (via the “Beta” tab) will increase their chances of obtaining a beta access.
Thirdly, the developers have now stated via X that they will subsequently provide beta access to all players who pre-ordered Dune: Awakening. They should find the game in their Steam library.
The story trailer for Dune Awakening:
Scope of the Beta of Dune: Awakening
What can I expect in the beta? During the beta weekend, you can expect about 20 to 25 hours of gameplay, during which you will experience the first act of the story and explore three regions of the game. A travel feature, which players from Conan Exiles may already know, guides you through the game while gradually learning new recipes and tools.
Those who follow this journey will build an initial base, weapons, armor, and a sand bike. You can expect research stations, camps, sandworm attacks, and ships patrolling the skies. You will battle thirst and heat, and unlock more and more resources to ease your fight for survival.
If you want to inform yourself about the game in advance, for example about playing with friends or the best possible server choice, check this out:
- NEW: Dune: Awakening classes – Everything about skills, techniques, strengths, and learning talents
- Dune: Awakening playing with friends – There are several things you need to consider
- Dune Awakening: Atreides vs Harkonnen – how Landsraad, factions, and guilds work
- Developers of Dune: Awakening explain how much MMO is in their survival game
If you have no time on the weekend or are currently considering whether Dune: Awakening is even for you, perhaps the following playtest report from MeinMMO editor and survival connoisseur Benedict Grothaus, who has already extensively played the new Funcom game, will help you:
Dune: Awakening will be released on June 10, 2025, with a Buy2Play model. There will be no prior Early Access phase, but you will purchase the complete final version. The survival MMO will not require a subscription and aims to offer new updates and content for free. What else is important, you can find out here: Everything about release, prices, features, and editions of Dune: Awakening
