Dune: Awakening Update 1.4 Arrives on May 19 with Water Wars DLC — Funcom Prioritizes Player Demands Over Storyline

Exciting Developments in Dune: Awakening with Update 1.4 and The Water Wars DLC

Funcom has announced that Update 1.4 for the popular game Dune: Awakening is set to launch on May 19. This update will be accompanied by The Water Wars DLC, marking the final addition to the game’s Season Pass.

New Features and Enhancements

As part of Update 1.4, players can expect a variety of new content, including additional Landsraad Missions. These will enhance the endgame experience established in Chapter 3 of the game. However, it is important to note that Funcom has confirmed that this update will not introduce new storylines. Instead, the goal of this update is to focus on popular player-requested systems that enhance overall player agency, with additional narrative content slated for future updates.

About The Water Wars DLC

The Water Wars DLC, which is available for $9.99 or included in the Season Pass priced at $24.99/€24.99, introduces an exciting array of building items and cosmetics inspired by the infamous Water Shippers—an elite dynasty dominating Arrakis’s water commerce.

A Promising Recovery for the Game

Dune: Awakening is currently experiencing a significant recovery phase. Following its initial launch last June, where it boasted nearly 189, 000 concurrent players on Steam, the player base dwindled sharply, dropping below 2, 000 concurrent players by September 2025 after the release of the Lost Harvest DLC. However, the arrival of Chapter 3 in February 2026, the game’s most substantial update to date, helped reverse this trend, boosting the average monthly player count to approximately 8, 600.

Transformative Changes in Player Experience

One of the most significant changes to enhance the gaming experience occurred with Update 1.3.20, where Funcom made PvP (Player versus Player) options fully optional. This change applied even to the previously mandatory Deep Desert endgame zone, promoting a PvE-first approach. Many players, previously restricted from accessing high-level content without engaging in PvP combat, were relieved by this update. Funcom openly addressed this issue in a developer update, emphasizing that PvP should be a choice rather than a requirement for progress. The community overwhelmingly welcomed this initiative as a long-overdue improvement.

Availability and Future Plans

Dune: Awakening can currently be accessed on PC via Steam, with plans for a release on Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series S and X later in 2026, expanding its reach to a broader gaming audience.

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