Dune: Awakening Is Free to Play Until May 12 — Here’s How to Join the Adventure
Just days before its official release, Dune: Awakening is offering players a chance to step into the sands of Arrakis during a special open beta. Frank Herbert’s legendary universe enters the world of video games with bold ambition and grand promises—don’t miss this early deep dive.
Set to launch next month, Dune: Awakening is entering its final phase—but not without an exhilarating detour through an open beta. Funcom, the studio behind this open-world MMO inspired by the iconic saga, invites players starting May 9 to explore a harsh, strategic, and mesmerizing world.
Image credit: Funcom
A Taste of the Sand Apocalypse
Running from May 9 at 2:00 PM (CET) until May 12 at 11:59 PM, this beta offers access to the first 20 hours of gameplay. A generous slice that covers much of Act 1 and throws you straight into the game’s survival, exploration, and combat mechanics.
And there’s more: in this test version, players will be able to:
- Build their base using the CHOAM Building Set,
- Explore the legendary Hagga Basin South and the Eastern and Western Vermilius Gaps,
- Ride the iconic Sandbike to race across the dunes at high speed,
- Test out combat mechanics, whether solo or in teams, in a preliminary mid-game environment.
Discover what's awaiting you in the #DuneAwakening large-scale Beta weekend on May 9-12. Swipe to see what you can experience in the full launch. ➡️
— Dune: Awakening (@DuneAwakening) May 2, 2025
– First 20 hours of Gameplay
– Act 1 of the Story
– Hagga Basin South Region
– Eastern and Western Vermilius Gap Region
Want to… pic.twitter.com/hMnbLw4SnQ
And the cherry on top: there’s no NDA (non-disclosure agreement) on this beta. You’re free to share your discoveries, stream your sessions, or simply chat with the community about your experience.
How to Get a Beta Key?
There are three main ways to get your hands on a key to access the Dune: Awakening beta:
- Add the game to your wishlist and request access via the official Steam page,
- Sign up using your email address on the official Dune: Awakening website,
- Join the global Twitch stream on May 10, where tens of thousands of keys will be distributed live.
Using multiple methods increases your chances, though access is not guaranteed. But don’t worry— even without a key, you can follow the many community livestreams and get a solid look at the game.
A Must-Attend Community Event
On May 10, Funcom will host a massive LAN party, one of the major highlights of this beta. With exclusive developer interviews and live gameplay showcases, it’s a chance to dive into the behind-the-scenes of this ambitious project and connect directly with the game’s creative teams.
Dune: Awakening promises an experience that blends MMO, survival RPG, and large-scale strategy. By opening the beta to a wide audience, Funcom is banking on transparency and community excitement to polish this gem ahead of its planned June 10, 2025 release on PC, with console versions on the horizon.
Whether you’re a long-time Dune fan or just curious about sci-fi gaming, this beta is a golden opportunity to feel the scorching winds of Arrakis—before the full sandstorm hits the gaming world.
