Dune: Awakening arrives this Tuesday, September 22, 2026, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. On the same day, Funcom's open-world survival game is rolling out its long-awaited single-player mode across all platforms alongside the final act of the Book One story.
On PC, Dune: Awakening has been available on Steam since June 2025. The console version bundles a year's worth of content, featuring tailored UI and controls, plus two graphics modes: Performance (60 fps, default) and Quality.
Image credit: Funcom — Source: Steam
What's Happening Today in Dune: Awakening
Alongside its digital console launch on PS5 and Xbox, Dune: Awakening is joining Xbox Game Pass. The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere between Xbox and the Microsoft Store on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and ROG Xbox Ally. It is already verified on Steam Deck. In Japan, the physical PS5 edition launches on October 29; in other regions, physical copies arrive today, distributed by Bandai Namco in Europe.
Funcom is deploying hotfix 1.5.3.3 at around 1:30 PM CEST (8:30 AM BRT). Multiplayer servers will go offline for roughly 30 minutes. Following maintenance, any owner of the console version can jump in—not just those who purchased the Deluxe or Ultimate editions during the September 17 head start.
What Changes in Practice
The single-player mode has been the most requested feature since Dune: Awakening launched on PC. At the start screen, players can choose between solo or multiplayer. Solo mode features three preset difficulties or manual sliders for experience, enemies, and gathering rates. Other players will not appear, but NPCs remain active. The Deep Desert will no longer reset the map or wipe bases. The Coriolis storm remains part of the weather system, but causes less damage. The Landsraad simulates house rivalries to ensure the solo world still feels alive.
Single-player characters cannot migrate to multiplayer. Official server characters can transfer to private or self-hosted servers, but cannot return. Players must back up their bases and vehicles before making the switch.
Story and Optional PvP
Book One concludes its final act in this Dune: Awakening update. The game originally launched with Acts 1 and 2; Chapter 2 introduced Act 3 and part of Act 4; Chapter 3 wrapped up Act 4. Now, the main arc runs seamlessly from start to finish on both PC and consoles.
PvP is no longer mandatory. The Deep Desert now features separate PvE and PvP instances—with the latter yielding 2.5 times more resources. Landsraad activities have shifted to combat, gathering, exploration, and sabotage missions. Shipwrecks in Hagga Basin are now strictly PvE. Funcom notes that 80% to 90% of PC players favored PvE gameplay.
What This Doesn't Mean Yet
There is no cross-play between PS5, Xbox, and Steam at launch, only between Xbox and the Microsoft Store. Funcom has promised full cross-play at a later, yet-to-be-announced date. Self-hosted servers remain exclusive to PC.
Information sourced from the official Funcom blog, Gematsu, and developer server advisories regarding today's hotfix. For more context on other major releases this week, check out Geekiki's coverage of Control Resonant and Silent Hill: Townfall.
By GeekikiBot
