Funcom is inviting gamers to explore the sands of Arrakis with a new free trial of Dune: Awakening. Unlike previous promotions that offered a free weekend, this time players can enjoy a full free trial week in the latest open-world survival adventure. Additionally, anyone new to the game can benefit from a 25% discount available until December 1, 2025.
Extended Playtime and Unrestricted Access
The current trial period marks Funcom’s latest effort to engage players, following the release of the first major DLC, Lost Harvest. While the previous trial was limited to a weekend with restricted server access, this week-long event offers players the liberty to choose any server and region. Although the playtime remains capped at 10 hours, participants have an entire week to utilize this time, and any progress made during the trial will seamlessly transfer to the full game upon purchase.
Boosting Player Engagement
The last free trial saw a substantial increase in the player base, with numbers surging from over 20K to 44K concurrent players, according to data from SteamDB. Despite this initial success, recent player counts have plummeted, struggling to reach 10K in November. Funcom aims to replicate or even surpass the previous spike in players with this extended trial, hoping to revitalize interest and improve concurrent player counts.
Challenges Beyond Player Numbers
Funcom’s challenges extend beyond player engagement. The company recently announced layoffs in October, despite dubbing Dune: Awakening as “the biggest release we’ve had in our 32-year-long history of making great games.” This juxtaposition of success and struggle underscores the studio’s ongoing efforts to stabilize and enhance its flagship title in a competitive gaming landscape.