Private servers are arriving in Dune: Awakening, with certain "compromises" to preserve the large-scale multiplayer experience.

Developer Funcom announced the news in an update on the Steam store page, confirming that "rentable private servers" will be available at launch for "head start" (early access) players starting Thursday, June 5.

"We previously stated that private servers would be available post-launch, but we’re pleased to report that development has progressed faster than anticipated," the team explained. "However, we want to clarify how private servers function in Dune: Awakening. As you know, this is not a typical survival game."

"We decided early on that removing the large-scale multiplayer aspects was not an option, as they are crucial to the Dune: Awakening experience, and the game’s content and mechanics are deeply integrated into this structure," the update clarified.

"This required making some compromises regarding the level of control players have over their private servers. Consequently, there are fewer configuration options compared to other survival games like Conan Exiles."

If you choose to rent a private server, you will receive one Hagga Basin, identical to the official server, and join a World of other private servers (selectable during signup). You will not be able to rent or control social hubs or the Deep Desert, but you can still "fully utilize Dune: Awakening’s large-scale multiplayer content and mechanics."

Dune: Awakening - January 2025 Screenshots

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Regarding what you can do with a private server, Funcom noted that you can disable security zones entirely, "enabling PvP across the entire Hagga Basin," or create specific PvP zones similar to official servers. You can also disable taxation and sandstorms, name your server, and set a password. Private server owners can visit other World servers using the password and even claim land, which is not possible on official servers.

"Implementing private servers for Dune: Awakening was complex due to our unique large-scale multiplayer structure, and it was vital to us to preserve the fundamental MMO-like gameplay that defines Dune: Awakening," the team concluded. "This means there are certain configuration restrictions compared to other survival games such as Conan Exiles.

"We hope this service remains valuable for players who prefer exclusive servers, and we trust that the shared World structure adds depth without detracting from the unique content and mechanics that make Dune: Awakening special."

"Small details have a massive impact on gameplay. Without revealing spoilers, this attention to detail permeates nearly every aspect of the world, including factions and characters, which should be a delight for any fan of the setting."

Dune: Awakening is scheduled for release on June 10, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S following a three-week delay to address issues found during beta testing. Players with a "head start" access can play five days early, starting June 5. For more information, see details on the MMO's business model and post-launch plans. We also provide the global release time schedule for Dune: Awakening here.