Funcom, the developer behind Dune: Awakening, has acknowledged the concerns players have expressed about the intense competition in the Deep Desert, especially regarding the endgame. In a recent AMA, the team revealed that they are actively working on a plan to improve the PvP experience. Despite previous efforts to address issues like Ornithopter griefing, players continue to criticize the PvP system, calling it toxic. Creative Director Joel Bylos addressed these concerns directly in a candid letter, stating: ‘Our goal is not to force PvE players into PvP situations they don’t want to be part of.
We want everyone to enjoy the endgame content.’
Bylos reaffirmed Funcom’s commitment to the core concept of the Deep Desert, describing it as an ever-changing, dangerous environment that resets weekly, providing both high-risk and high-reward opportunities for players. He admitted that the current competitive nature of the desert was pushing players into PvP, even if they preferred PvE. To address this, certain areas in the Deep Desert will now be marked as ‘Partial Warfare (PvE),’ allowing players to gather rare resources without the fear of ambush. However, high-value areas like spice fields and shipwrecks will remain PvP zones, maintaining their status as ‘high-risk, high-reward’ areas.
For those who prefer solo play, Bylos noted that the game is heavily focused on guilds and group activities. As a result, solo players can expect a grind if they choose to go it alone. Bylos also acknowledged that Ornithopters are vital for navigating the desert, but they shouldn’t dominate battles. Upcoming changes will reduce the impact of Ornithopter griefing.
Bylos also teased the introduction of the Landsraad, a system designed to foster faction conflict, internal politics, and give players both personal and group-based goals. This system will incorporate daily and weekly quests, centered around the political intrigues of the Dune universe, where players will work to gain the favor of various Landsraad houses. Funcom will soon address issues within the Landsraad, such as unintended rewards for stockpiling.
As Bylos concluded: ‘Once a game goes live, it’s a collaborative effort between developers and players to make it great. We value your feedback and aim to make Dune: Awakening a game that everyone can enjoy.’ Despite some rough edges, Dune: Awakening has been a success so far, with over 1 million players already enjoying the game.