Private servers are arriving for Dune: Awakening, though with certain limitations to preserve the game's large-scale multiplayer experience.

Developer Funcom announced this update on the Steam store page, confirming "rentable private servers" will be available immediately at launch for early access players starting Thursday, June 5.

"Initially we planned private servers for post-launch, but development progressed faster than anticipated," the studio stated. "We do want to clarify how these servers function differently in Dune: Awakening compared to traditional survival games."

Each private server will exist within a World containing multiple interconnected servers, all sharing common social hubs and the expansive Deep Desert area. Funcom explained this design maintains community engagement while allowing private gameplay.

"Early in development, we committed to preserving the massive multiplayer elements crucial to Dune: Awakening's identity," the developer noted. "This decision required balancing player control with maintaining core game mechanics."

"As a result, private server administrators won't have the same level of customization options seen in games like Conan Exiles."

Private server hosts will receive one Hagga Basin instance similar to official servers, connected to a network of other private Worlds (selectable during setup). While players can't modify social hubs or the Deep Desert, they retain access to all multiplayer features.

Dune: Awakening - January 2025 Screenshots

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Private server features include:

• Option to disable security zones for full PvP
• Ability to toggle taxation systems and sandstorms
• Custom server naming and password protection
• Access to other World servers with proper credentials
• Special land claiming privileges unavailable on official servers

"Implementing private servers while maintaining our unique multiplayer structure proved challenging," Funcom explained. "We wanted to preserve the core MMO experience that defines Dune: Awakening."

"While configuration options are more limited than some survival games, we believe this solution offers meaningful private gameplay without compromising the game's distinctive features."

"As longtime Dune enthusiasts, we appreciate Funcom's deep commitment to worldbuilding," we noted in IGN's preview. "The developers have implemented countless authentic details that significantly impact gameplay while establishing their own creative interpretation of the universe."

Dune: Awakening launches June 10, 2025 across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S following a three-week delay for polish. Early access begins June 5. For additional details, explore our coverage of the game's business model and global release schedule.