Dune: Awakening Finally Makes Deep Desert and Shipwreck PvP Fully Optional

After spending the better part of a year sanding down the edges of Dune: Awakening's PvP system, Funcom has officially decided to throw in the towel on forced conflict. In a new developer update for April 2026, the studio confirmed it needs to "rethink our approach and underline the PvE-first nature of the game." Consequently, all PvP zones in Hagga Basin are being disabled, and separate PvP and PvE instances will launch for endgame players. This marks a significant pivot from the title's earlier design philosophy regarding high-stakes survival.

Effectively mandatory PvP in Dune: Awakening's Deep Desert endgame zone has long been one of the most persistent complaints about the game. Players were essentially told that if they wanted access to the "really cool stuff," they had to risk getting ganked by other players at every turn. The studio acknowledged this friction in June 2025, just weeks after launch, stating its goal was never to force PvE players into a system they might ignore. However, even splitting the Deep Desert in half—making the southern portion PvE only while leaving the north PvP-enabled—failed to quell the community's concerns.

Responding to Player Data and Feedback

The decision to finally make Deep Desert and shipwreck combat fully optional comes after Funcom analyzed hard data alongside player sentiment. With over 80% of lifetime players exclusively engaging with PvE content, the convergence of modes in the Deep Desert no longer aligned with their objectives. The studio noted that this forced interaction remained a significant topic of discussion within the community.

Combining internal goals, in-game data, and survey results made it clear that the current model required a fundamental shift. While PvP conflict remains an important aspect for some players, Funcom now asserts it must be optional and incentivized rather than required for progression. This change aims to resolve the tension between survivalists who just want to explore and those seeking high-stakes combat without compromising either experience.

New Separated Instances and Economic Rewards

To address these issues, Funcom is introducing four major changes alongside new repeatable gameplay loops from Chapter 3. The most impactful update involves the complete separation of zones to cater to different playstyles:

  • Disabled Hagga Basin PvP: All player-versus-player zones in Hagga Basin will be disabled across all official worlds, creating a safe harbor for new arrivals.
  • Dedicated PvE Instance: A new instance offers pure survival and exploration with no player combat whatsoever, including in the notorious Shipwreck areas.
  • Classic PvP Arena: Players seeking high-stakes conflict can choose from rows B through I, maintaining the open-world chaos they enjoy.
  • Enhanced Resource Yield: To balance the increased risk, mining and spice harvesting yields will be multiplied by 2.5x in PvP areas.

Funcom explains that this separation allows players to hunt for spice or explore Imperial Testing Stations without the "constant threat of a blade in the dark." Simultaneously, those who live for the thrill of the hunt will have a dedicated arena with rewards commensurate with their bravery and risk tolerance.

Self-Hosted Servers and Technical Requirements

The PvP overhaul is just one part of a broader update; Dune: Awakening is also receiving self-hosted servers that allow players to run private instances with unique rules. This feature, rolling out as part of the upcoming 1.3.20.0 patch, will let communities customize everything from resource harvesting rates to base building limits and item durability settings. However, Funcom warns that this initial iteration is experimental and technical, requiring specific hardware to function correctly.

To run these servers effectively, users must have a computer running Microsoft Windows Pro with Hyper-V enabled to operate the servers within a Linux Virtual Machine. The studio emphasizes that CPU and RAM demands will increase rapidly depending on the number of concurrent players and active maps. For now, the minimum requirements for 1-4 players performing "normal activity" are:

  • OS: Windows 10 64-bit Pro with Hyper-V
  • Memory: 20 GB RAM (higher needed for larger groups)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 100GB SSD required

While no specific release date has been announced, self-hosted server testing is expected to begin soon. This update represents a major step toward a more flexible and player-driven ecosystem for the Dune universe.