2025 is shaping up to be a grand year for open-world gaming, with highly anticipated titles and blockbuster franchises fueling excitement at every turn. While the gaming community remains on edge for more official information on the release of GTA VI, another colossal release has already marked its territory: Dune: Awakening, set to launch on May 20.

The first exploration into the fictional planet Arrakis came from the mind of American novelist Frank Herbert, who crafted the epic science fiction novel Dune which was originally published in 1963. With multiple instalments cementing its status as one of the world’s best-selling sci-fi novels, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve brought the story to life on screen with Dune (2021), a record-smashing adaptation, and followed it up with Dune: Part Two in 2024. Both films have enjoyed monumental box office success, and Villeneuve is now developing a third and final instalment. Though details of his concluding chapter remain uncertain, both Dune’s literary and cinematic legacies are now paving the way for Dune: Awakening.

Dune: Awakening has been in development since 2019 and was first announced at Gamescom, the world’s largest gaming event, in August 2022. Publisher Funcom collaborated closely with Legendary Studios — the team behind the Dune films — to create a visually stunning experience heavily influenced by the movies, though with notable changes for gameplay. On February 20, Funcom dropped a two-minute trailer confirming the May 20 release date, offering a glimpse of the treacherous sands of Arrakis, Duke Leto Atreides’ household, and the Fremen.

Beyond the trailer, Funcom also revealed two key features ahead of launch: a character creator and a benchmark tool, both available for free. The character creator allows players to customise their appearance while also selecting a home planet, caste, and mentors. These choices will carry over into the full game at launch. Meanwhile, Benchmark mode enables players to test their hardware and earn an exclusive weapon skin upon the game’s release. Both features are currently accessible for free via Steam.

The multiplayer survival game will launch on PC for $49.99, with console release details yet to be announced. Funcom’s partnership with Legendary Studios includes plans for at least three games set in the Dune universe. So, barring unforeseen circumstances, Dune: Awakening is just the beginning of a broader Dune gaming franchise.