In the aftermath of Dune: Awakening’s June 10 launch, developer Funcom is working to enhance the PvP experience, particularly in the infamous Deep Desert. The desert area, long criticized by players for toxic gameplay and griefing, is the focus of the developer’s attention as they strive to strike a balance between player freedom and fair combat. 
While the team has already addressed some issues-such as removing the ability for players to squish others with Ornithopters-there are more changes on the horizon.
Senior game director Viljar Sommerbakk revealed that Funcom is exploring further tweaks to the Ornithopters, including the possibility of adding rockets to the Scout Ornithopter. The rockets would reduce the vehicle’s overall maneuverability and maximum speed, making it a less dominant force in PvP combat. Additionally, Scout Orni rockets may become slightly more costly in terms of heat to fire, giving the Assault Ornithopter a slight edge while still allowing the Scout version to be a relevant aerial threat.
Creative director Joel Bylos added that the team is planning to adjust respawn times and revives, and he emphasized that the ‘full loot’ feature can be obtained via the Landsraad. As for the Deep Desert, Funcom has no intention of reducing its size but may consider introducing new areas for faction-based warfare. “We want to create meaningful decisions for players about what they bring with them and how they outfit their vehicles,” said Sommerbakk. “PvP should feel reliable, responsive, and intuitive, and we’re tackling issues like movement desyncs and rubber banding to make that a reality.”
In addition to these changes, the developer is working on quality of life improvements such as named storage containers and vehicles to help players organize their resources. They are also planning future boss encounters within dungeons and hinting at the possibility of new maps. “There’s a lot more to explore in the Dune universe,” said lead producer Ole Andreas Hayley.
Despite these ongoing changes, Funcom has no plans to make NPCs and players easily distinguishable, as this is in line with the game’s vision. When asked about the possibility of skipping dialogue and animations, Bylos responded firmly, “Absolutely not.”
In our review, we gave Dune: Awakening a solid 8/10, noting that it’s a fantastic survival MMO that brings the Dune universe to life, even if its combat and endgame aren’t yet fully polished. However, with a large player base and a promising roadmap, the game’s future is certainly bright.
Dune: Awakening has already enjoyed a strong launch, with a ‘very positive’ rating on Steam and over 189,000 concurrent players during its launch weekend. If you’re eager to dive into the game, make sure to check out our Dune: Awakening class guides and in-progress walkthrough, and don’t miss our resource guides to help you survive the harsh desert.