Dune: Awakening Hands-Off Impressions - Arrakis Might Just Be The Survival MMO Planet You've Been Wa

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Dune: Awakening Hands-Off Impressions - Arrakis Might Just Be The Survival MMO Planet You've Been Waiting For | MMORPG.com

Last week we were invited to Dune Awakening event in Los Angeles. Here's what to get hyped for on your upcoming trip to Arrakis.

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Angrakhan

Visuals are pretty nice and match the visual styles and a lot of the mechanics of the recent movies. I'll definitely check it out although I still side eye all these survival MMO offerings, so I'll say I'm cautiously optimistic especially because it's Funcom which has a checkered history of MMO launches. See also: the disaster of a launch that was Age of Conan.

DigDuggy

I grow weary of 'waiting on'  I need more 'released' from the genre.

Vercin

Remember the days of Beta entry meaning something? It was a select few who actually fully participated in forums and had to go through interviews just to get into a beta. It was not about trying to see if you like it but actually improving the games.

Angrakhan

Vercin said:

Remember the days of Beta entry meaning something? It was a select few who actually fully participated in forums and had to go through interviews just to get into a beta. It was not about trying to see if you like it but actually improving the games.

Yeah I remember those days.  I also remember bringing up concerns and being shouted down with the ever present "it's still beta" justification only to have the same problems still present at launch. I remember wondering why I was volunteering to be free QA labor just to be ignored by the dev team. That's when I quit applying for them. Haven't missed it. 

Madir

Vercin said:

Remember the days of Beta entry meaning something? It was a select few who actually fully participated in forums and had to go through interviews just to get into a beta. It was not about trying to see if you like it but actually improving the games.

I remember the testing of Anarchy Online where Funcom sent me CD's to participate because internet was not like today :-)

Mensur

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding. They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

Elidien_ga

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.

They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

StevenWeber

Elidien_ga said:

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.

They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

Greetings Inquiring MMORPGers

The premise as conveyed to us during the event is "thousands of players" will be playing together. More directly, Joel himself answered this question, which I didn't broach in my article. 

"Players on a server, it's still being optimized, so I don't want to say for sure... The deep desert, we have this technology called the Infinite Game World, I think Star Citizen is talking about Server Meshing, it's kind of a similar idea, so we have many servers that mesh together so we can create a seamless map. And there's no transition. So we can theoretically have quite a lot (of players). But how many each one of those server will hold is an optimization question. So I can't answer it. I know that our starting point is from Conan Exiles, so that's 40 to begin with, but then if you take that and then think of the deep desert, it's at least 10 times that (400), and then we'll see because we're optimizing a lot more."

- Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos 

 

It's hard to mesh the idea of thousands of players with the current deep desert estimate of about 400, but an argument could be made that optimization would expand that. Of course, the question is, should we entertain such arguments? Historically, probably not. But this is 2024. This is Dune. This is Arrakis. Anything can happen! 

I wouldn't place any bets yet though. 

Happy Posting! 

Elidien_ga

StevenWeber said:

Elidien_ga said:

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.

They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

Greetings Inquiring MMORPGers

The premise as conveyed to us during the event is "thousands of players" will be playing together. More directly, Joel himself answered this question, which I didn't broach in my article. 

"Players on a server, it's still being optimized, so I don't want to say for sure... The deep desert, we have this technology called the Infinite Game World, I think Star Citizen is talking about Server Meshing, it's kind of a similar idea, so we have many servers that mesh together so we can create a seamless map. And there's no transition. So we can theoretically have quite a lot (of players). But how many each one of those server will hold is an optimization question. So I can't answer it. I know that our starting point is from Conan Exiles, so that's 40 to begin with, but then if you take that and then think of the deep desert, it's at least 10 times that (400), and then we'll see because we're optimizing a lot more."

- Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos 

 

It's hard to mesh the idea of thousands of players with the current deep desert estimate of about 400, but an argument could be made that optimization would expand that. Of course, the question is, should we entertain such arguments? Historically, probably not. But this is 2024. This is Dune. This is Arrakis. Anything can happen! 

I wouldn't place any bets yet though. 

Happy Posting! 

Steven,

Thanks for the reply. I have followed this game for years and I hope it combines two of my fav genres of games into one but naturally I have concerns. Funcom's track record for one but at the same time, Conan Exiles is so much better than it was.

It seems like their basis for the game is similar to Albion Online and other games like it where you don't have to PVP but the best resources, best of a lot of things are out in those zones. Thoughts?

Also, it sounds like, unlike Conan it will be more MMO based servers than the typical dedicated survival game server style. I wonder if they will have rule-sets then. 

Greatness

StevenWeber said:

Elidien_ga said:

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.



They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

Greetings Inquiring MMORPGers

The premise as conveyed to us during the event is "thousands of players" will be playing together. More directly, Joel himself answered this question, which I didn't broach in my article. 

"Players on a server, it's still being optimized, so I don't want to say for sure... The deep desert, we have this technology called the Infinite Game World, I think Star Citizen is talking about Server Meshing, it's kind of a similar idea, so we have many servers that mesh together so we can create a seamless map. And there's no transition. So we can theoretically have quite a lot (of players). But how many each one of those server will hold is an optimization question. So I can't answer it. I know that our starting point is from Conan Exiles, so that's 40 to begin with, but then if you take that and then think of the deep desert, it's at least 10 times that (400), and then we'll see because we're optimizing a lot more."

- Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos 

 

It's hard to mesh the idea of thousands of players with the current deep desert estimate of about 400, but an argument could be made that optimization would expand that. Of course, the question is, should we entertain such arguments? Historically, probably not. But this is 2024. This is Dune. This is Arrakis. Anything can happen! 

I wouldn't place any bets yet though. 

Happy Posting! 

Their answer went from 40, to 400, to thousands. I am still confused suggesting not so massive as I expect.

ValdemarJ

Elidien_ga said:

StevenWeber said:

Elidien_ga said:

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.

They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

Greetings Inquiring MMORPGers

The premise as conveyed to us during the event is "thousands of players" will be playing together. More directly, Joel himself answered this question, which I didn't broach in my article. 

"Players on a server, it's still being optimized, so I don't want to say for sure... The deep desert, we have this technology called the Infinite Game World, I think Star Citizen is talking about Server Meshing, it's kind of a similar idea, so we have many servers that mesh together so we can create a seamless map. And there's no transition. So we can theoretically have quite a lot (of players). But how many each one of those server will hold is an optimization question. So I can't answer it. I know that our starting point is from Conan Exiles, so that's 40 to begin with, but then if you take that and then think of the deep desert, it's at least 10 times that (400), and then we'll see because we're optimizing a lot more."

- Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos 

 

It's hard to mesh the idea of thousands of players with the current deep desert estimate of about 400, but an argument could be made that optimization would expand that. Of course, the question is, should we entertain such arguments? Historically, probably not. But this is 2024. This is Dune. This is Arrakis. Anything can happen! 

I wouldn't place any bets yet though. 

Happy Posting! 

Steven,

Thanks for the reply. I have followed this game for years and I hope it combines two of my fav genres of games into one but naturally I have concerns. Funcom's track record for one but at the same time, Conan Exiles is so much better than it was.

It seems like their basis for the game is similar to Albion Online and other games like it where you don't have to PVP but the best resources, best of a lot of things are out in those zones. Thoughts?

Also, it sounds like, unlike Conan it will be more MMO based servers than the typical dedicated survival game server style. I wonder if they will have rule-sets then. 

It sounds a whole lot like "server slices" in Lord of the Rings Online. World servers run instances of a zone and then mesh with other servers along boundaries to provide the illusion of a seamless experience.

ESO, GW2, and some other mmrpgs do a similar concept with instance layers where servers handle a zone, region, or map but with multiple layered instances to keep player population and server load balanced.

So, with the revelation of their meshing server tech, the question really is how many people will play on that server slice/layer/instance together before it's split off? Plus, how hard will it be to meet up with friends?

Do they mean thousands on a server, or in a server region? Will they have region entry chokepoints like Albion does? How will they handle region overload?

What does "thousands together" mean and what does it not mean? They haven't answered that at all. We need harder questions and better answer to get the real deal.

Chaserz

On behalf of the MMO industry I am pleased Funcom may have a new winner on their hands. Funcom almost collapsed a few years ago but over the years/decade they have delivered several very popular MMOs.
I don't dwell in the past. A winner is a winner that all us MMO players benefit from. I'm optimistic we'll see another one from FunCom.

Kyleran

Reports I read from the closed beta were less than stellar, most agreed there no way Funcom should release this in even early access for another year or so.

So not surprising they didn't let the press get their hands on it, clearly not ready for prime time.

But knowing them, they'll likely jump the gun again.

Robokapp

another flop. the MMO genre is like the last dark holes, slowly evaporating in an empty universe.

Mensur

StevenWeber said:

Elidien_ga said:

Mensur said:

I just want to know if this is a game with 1000s of people on one server or if this is just a reskin of conan exiles with max 100 people on a server with priavte server game modes and basebuilding.



They say battle against 1000s of players for resources etc. But dont explain how the social aspects would work.

I am with you on this. All of my questions revolve around these types of things and so far, little answers.

Greetings Inquiring MMORPGers

The premise as conveyed to us during the event is "thousands of players" will be playing together. More directly, Joel himself answered this question, which I didn't broach in my article. 

"Players on a server, it's still being optimized, so I don't want to say for sure... The deep desert, we have this technology called the Infinite Game World, I think Star Citizen is talking about Server Meshing, it's kind of a similar idea, so we have many servers that mesh together so we can create a seamless map. And there's no transition. So we can theoretically have quite a lot (of players). But how many each one of those server will hold is an optimization question. So I can't answer it. I know that our starting point is from Conan Exiles, so that's 40 to begin with, but then if you take that and then think of the deep desert, it's at least 10 times that (400), and then we'll see because we're optimizing a lot more."

- Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos 

 

It's hard to mesh the idea of thousands of players with the current deep desert estimate of about 400, but an argument could be made that optimization would expand that. Of course, the question is, should we entertain such arguments? Historically, probably not. But this is 2024. This is Dune. This is Arrakis. Anything can happen! 

I wouldn't place any bets yet though. 

Happy Posting! 

Thanks for the update and clarity :-)

DAOWAce

Survival crafting MMO built ontop of Conan Exiles.

All hype for this game has been lost. Conan Exiles was a miserable pile of garbage for years, and they decided to sell DLC constantly instead of fixing and improving the core game.

Maybe it's better now, maybe Funcom learned, but from Age of Conan to Secret World to Conan Exiles, I don't have really any faith in the studio. And honestly, Age of Conan was probably the best game they ever developed out of the three.

Their Anarchy Online legacy is long gone.

Hope they prove me wrong.

Samhael

Angrakhan said:

Vercin said:

Remember the days of Beta entry meaning something? It was a select few who actually fully participated in forums and had to go through interviews just to get into a beta. It was not about trying to see if you like it but actually improving the games.

Yeah I remember those days.  I also remember bringing up concerns and being shouted down with the ever present "it's still beta" justification only to have the same problems still present at launch. I remember wondering why I was volunteering to be free QA labor just to be ignored by the dev team. That's when I quit applying for them. Haven't missed it. 

Yeah, Cryptic was especially bad about that... hence Champions Online despite all the people saying the "build attack" mechanic was horrible and that they didn't like the engine. I think the engine is pretty bad which is one of the reasons I can't regularly play STO (they didn't listen to the testers there either). These days, I just apply for betas to see if I'm just interested in playing the game at launch. I miss the testing days though even if my feedback was largely ignored. Most betas are just marketing betas now.

Theocritus

Chaserz said:

On behalf of the MMO industry I am pleased Funcom may have a new winner on their hands. Funcom almost collapsed a few years ago but over the years/decade they have delivered several very popular MMOs.
I don't dwell in the past. A winner is a winner that all us MMO players benefit from. I'm optimistic we'll see another one from FunCom.

THis sounds like it is written by someone that is being paid by Funcom or some other source.

Rienni

I think it would be cool if they made it when you are creating a character you have to make a hard choice to which faction you belong to (House Atreides, House Harkonnen, Fremen etc) and you get different perks/abilities depending on your choice.

Asm0deus

From what I read its gonna a full on pvp game so tis gonna flop I do think, I would have like a proper dune game either single player or offline/private server type but oh well.

Also..... like wtf lmao:

https://twitter.com/eurogamer/status/1764966484273402110

Dune: Awakening, the survival MMO from Conan: Exiles developer Funcom, will "sidestep" religion as a main theme in its "alternate history" world set just before the events of the books. Talking to Eurogamer, its creative director explains how and why: https://eurogamer.net/dune-awakening

Eldrach

I liked Conan Exiles - it started a little rough, but it’s grown into a very good Survival Mmo - complete with rich lore and cool dungeons and boss fights. There’s no real «point» to Conan exiles when you reach a certain power level - so i hope they address that with the political system in Dune.
Server Meshing is a great tech that allows them to pit more players against eachother in select areas (big cities, trade hubs, pvp zones) and keep the other zones (wasteland / building areas) less crowded.
I also love that they are making a blueprint system - you can actually sell blueprints of a cool base, or buy one - which makes it alot easier to «move» a base or create new ones faster