Dune: Awakening Private Servers: Inclusions and Exclusions

Private servers are arriving for Dune: Awakening, though with certain adjustments to preserve the expansive multiplayer experience.

Funcom shared this update on the Steam store page, announcing that rentable private servers will be accessible as soon as the game launches for head start (early access) players on Thursday, June 5.

"While we initially planned private servers for post-launch, development has progressed more quickly than anticipated," the team noted. "That said, we want to be clear about how these servers function in Dune: Awakening. This isn't a conventional survival game."

Each private server will belong to a World made up of multiple servers, all sharing social hubs and the Deep Desert. According to Funcom, this approach maintains a "neighborhood-like atmosphere."

"Early on, we decided not to sacrifice the large-scale multiplayer elements, as they're core to the Dune: Awakening experience. The game’s content and mechanics are built around this framework," the update clarified.

"As a result, players will have less control over private server settings compared to other survival titles like Conan Exiles. We had to make trade-offs to keep the core multiplayer intact."

If you rent a private server, you'll have your own Hagga Basin—just like the official servers—and join a World with other private servers (you can choose which one during sign-up). While you won’t control social hubs or the Deep Desert, you can still experience Dune: Awakening’s full-scale multiplayer content and features.

Dune: Awakening - January 2025 Screenshots

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So what exactly do you get with a private server? Funcom confirmed you can disable security zones entirely, activating PvP across all of Hagga Basin, or keep PvP zones similar to official servers. You also have the option to disable taxation and sandstorms, name your server, and set a password. Owners can visit other World servers with the correct password and even claim land—a feature not available on official servers.

"Implementing private servers in Dune: Awakening was challenging due to our unique multiplayer structure. We wanted to maintain the MMO-style gameplay that defines the game," the team explained. "This means private servers come with more restrictions than you might find in titles like Conan Exiles.

"Still, we believe this option will appeal to players who prefer servers not shared with the wider public. The shared World design adds a social layer without compromising the core mechanics that make Dune: Awakening special."

"As a longtime Dune fan, it's rewarding to explore and learn more about this beloved world. Funcom has invested heavily in worldbuilding and lore, even while taking creative liberties by setting Awakening in a parallel reality," we shared in IGN's Dune: Awakening closed beta preview.

"Subtle details greatly impact gameplay. Without spoiling anything, this attention to detail enriches every aspect of the world—from factions to characters—making it a delight for fans of the series."

Dune: Awakening launches on June 10, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, following a three-week delay to address issues found during beta testing. Head start players, however, can begin playing five days early, starting June 5. For additional information, explore the MMO’s business model and post-launch roadmap. Plus, we have the global release timetable for Dune: Awakening available here.