Dune: Awakening is heading for release, and we spent over 15 hours in the Beta to break down the multiplayer for you.
In our review video at the end, you’ll find out how co-op really works, and whether it’s shaping up to support long-term survival with friends.
If you’ve played survival MMOs before, you’ll know the genre can struggle to balance freedom, story, and teamwork.
So where does Dune land - does it offer the kind of seamless co-op experience players have been waiting for?
Or are there still rough patches buried beneath the sand?
Multiplayer in Dune: Awakening supports up to 40 players per server in regular zones - and even hundreds in endgame areas.
Teaming up is simple: after a short tutorial, you can party up through the social UI, and even share quests or vehicles.
There’s no friendly fire, but also no player nameplates or outlines, which can make identifying friends tricky - especially early on.
That said, most content is designed with co-op in mind, and even crafting tasks can often be completed once for the whole group.
How does co-op affect base-building?
Base-building in Dune is fully integrated into multiplayer play.
You can assign permissions to friends, letting them help build, move, or use equipment - with restrictions if needed.
Bases and vehicles stay in the world, even when the owner logs off, which means progress continues in your absence.
The system is built to support both small teams and full guilds, and with limited base slots, the game encourages players to move and rebuild over time.
What kind of gameplay can you expect together?
Beyond building, there’s a main story, PvE exploration, crafting, and a gradually introduced PvP endgame with faction warfare.
While Dune avoids traditional MMO raids, it does offer faction objectives, territory control, and resource-based progression.
And if you prefer to skip combat, you can still support your group through crafting, exploration, or even cartography.
Loot is mostly instanced, and core resources respawn quickly, keeping competition between players minimal.
Are there downsides to multiplayer?
While co-op is well-supported, there are still a few rough edges.
There's no shared progression for story quests, so playing ahead solo might cause issues.
Water management is also a constant survival concern - and while it improves over time, it can be tedious early on.
Accessibility options are limited for now, and some technical issues remain from the beta, including UI bugs and occasional crashes.
Is it worth it just for co-op?
If you're looking for a survival MMO to explore with friends, Dune: Awakening has a strong foundation.
Multiplayer systems are thoughtfully designed, and co-op feels essential - not optional.
With a buy-to-play model, no subscriptions, and free updates promised, it could be a solid long-term pick.
Just be ready for some survival mechanics and early bugs while it continues to evolve.
We’re breaking it all down – check out our full video for the details!
Do you want even more details or prefer more visuals? Check out our full video!