Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic has been keeping fans enthralled for nearly sixty years and soon enough they’ll be able to immerse themselves in his world like never before. Dune: Awakening is an upcoming multiplayer survival MMO that allows players to freely roam Arrakis and forge their own destiny on the legendary planet.
Interest in the 60-year-old franchise has received a surge in popularity in recent years, due in no small part to Dennis Villeneuve’s wildly successful Dune films and actor Timothee Chalamet’s striking performance as hero turned tyrant Paul Atreides. For those wondering how Dune: Awakening's take on the iconic sci-fi protagonist will differ from how Chalamet portrayed him, the latest trailer makes a lot clear.
Why Dune: Awakening's Alternate Timelines Are the Perfect Use of the IP
A new cinematic story trailer for Dune: Awakening has just dropped, confirming that the game explores alternate timelines, which uses the IP expertly.
Paul Atreides was Never Born in the Dune: Awakening Timeline
There is no Paul Atriedes in the world of Dune: Awakening. In a recent reveal from developers at Funcom, the game takes place in an alternate timeline for the Dune universe, one where Lady Jessica obeyed the Bene Gesserit's generations-long eugenics program and gave birth to a daughter instead of a son. Without Paul existing, there’s really no telling what will happen to Arrakis, as the canon events of the series cannot take place without Paul fulfilling his prophesied role as Kwisatz Haderach. Jessica and Leto’s daughter, a totally new character for the franchise, is an unknown quantity as of now, but it’s safe to assume she’ll provide a fascinating new look at the Bene Gesserit faction, as they will likely be raising her as one of their own.
Everything We Know About Dune: Awakening’s Alternate Timeline So Far
- Duke Leto Atreides is still alive
- House Atreides survives the Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen
- The Fremen are vastly reduced in numbers.
- The Emperor’s Sardaukar have been stationed on Arrakis to prevent Leto from fully controlling spice.
Who Is The New Atreides in Dune: Awakening?
Though it has revealed a number of gameplay features in Dune: Awakening, Funcom has released very few details about the narrative beats of the game, particularly any information related to Paul’s alternate timeline sister. Because she is going to be a completely original character, it’s hard to say for certain what direction she’ll go in, but to make the most out of this alternate history, this new Atreides character should be nothing like Paul’s book or film adaptations.
Whereas Paul Atreides eventually becomes a warmongering tyrant, Leto and Jessica’s daughter may take a more reserved, less violent approach. Her involvement with the Bene Gesserit undoubtedly means she’ll still have some level of ruthlessness in her (it is still Dune after all), but it would be a refreshing change of pace for her to idealize her father’s kind heart and noble intentions. Making this new character a female version of Paul would be a huge misstep and a wasted chance at an exciting new character.
How Dune: Awakening’s Alternate Timeline Makes Arrakis the Ultimate Sandbox
Series purists may be sharpening their pitchforks at the news that Dune: Awakening will be breaking established canon, but the decision Funcom has made here is probably for the best. The truth is there’s a very limited scope of what can be done narratively within an existing story. Herbert’s magnum opus is so masterfully crafted and well-thought-out that Funcom’s only real decision is to explore a speculative history of the setting he put together. And in an open world survival MMO, the real star of Dune: Awakening is Arrakis itself and how players interact with it.
Freeing Dune: Awakening from the main timeline means that players will be able to shape the world in ways not possible if the team at Funcom was strictly adhering to canon. In a way, Paul’s absence from the game opens the door for players to step into his shoes as the protagonist, free to take Arrakis in any direction they wish.
Paul’s actions in the story of Dune fundamentally change the course of that universe, for better or worse. With him absent and his pseudo-sister’s role yet unclear, the player is free to make whatever decisions they like that will ultimately change the course of this new take on Dune. When the Dune: Awakening closed beta drops later this year, gamers can try their hand at being a savior, a conqueror, or maybe something in between.
Dune: Awakening
- Released
- June 10, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Rise from survival to dominance on the most dangerous planet in the universe. Dune: Awakening combines the grit and creativity of sandbox survival games with the social interactivity of a large, persistent multiplayer game to create a unique and ambitious Open World Survival MMO.
Awaken The Sleeper
Your journey begins on Arrakis, with its vast deserts and colossal sandworms. Meet characters from the movies and books as you follow your story across Dune. Discover new allies and enemies and exploit your relationships to uncover the mystery that lies just beneath the surface of the sands.
Choose Your Identity
Craft your identity and build your prowess, from deep character creation to skills and abilities taught by specialists like Mentats and Bene Gesserit. Declare your loyalties by what you wear and become known by what you do, whether you are a specialized master or multi-talented adept.
Explore Arrakis Like Never Before
Dune: Awakening brings the epic landscapes of Arrakis to vivid life. Explore boundless rolling dunes, ancient underground Ecology Labs, and deep canyons pockmarked with caves, where bandits seek easy prey. Wander the bustling villages before braving the lawless and ever-changing deep desert.
