Charting a Course on Arrakis: Dune: Awakening Roadmap Reveals Update Plans Through 2026

In a major announcement that has provided much-needed clarity for its player base, Funcom has unveiled a detailed roadmap for its open-world survival game, Dune: Awakening. The roadmap, which outlines a series of free and paid content updates extending well into 2026, comes at a crucial time for the game, which has seen some player complaints about its endgame content and stability since its launch. The developer’s commitment to a consistent update schedule and a focus on both short-term fixes and long-term features is a positive signal for the future of the game. For players invested in the Dune universe and the survival MMO genre, this is the definitive guide to what’s coming next to Arrakis.

Funcom has been transparent about its recent efforts to address bugs, cheats, and stability issues. This new roadmap is the company’s way of reassuring the community that while they have been “playing whack-a-mole with bugs,” they have also been meticulously planning the game’s future content. The roadmap provides a clear look at what players can expect, from new story content and cosmetics to a full-scale expansion and the highly anticipated console launch in the latter half of 2026.

The Immediate Future: Chapters, DLC, and Quality of Life

The first major content drop is slated for September 2025 and will coincide with the developer’s presence at Gamescom. This update will include a mix of free and paid content, a model that Funcom plans to follow for future releases.

• Free Update: Chapter 2This is the first major free update, and it will continue the game’s main storyline, which began in Chapter 1. The update will also introduce a new set of dynamic encounters and change the layout of the Deep Desert. This is an important update for all players, as it adds new narrative content and keeps the world feeling fresh and dangerous. It also includes new quality-of-life features, such as improved player logging and a vehicle salvaging system, which directly addresses player frustrations from the beta.
• Paid DLC: The Lost HarvestReleasing in parallel with Chapter 2, The Lost Harvest is the first paid DLC. It will offer a new contract chain, a new vehicle, additional gear, and new building pieces. This DLC is a great way for players to customize their experience and gain access to new cosmetic and gameplay items. While this update does not focus on the endgame, Funcom clarifies that this was a pre-planned addition developed before the game’s launch.

The Long-Term Vision: 2026 and Beyond

The roadmap extends well into 2026, with a clear focus on revamping the endgame and expanding the world of Arrakis. This long-term plan is a crucial sign of Funcom’s dedication to the game’s longevity and its commitment to building a thriving community. The endgame has been a key point of community feedback, and the company has listened, with a major rework planned for early 2026.

Q1 2026: Endgame Revamp and a New DLC

• Free Update: Chapter 3 & Landsraad RefocusThe third chapter of the main story will arrive in the first quarter of 2026. This update will include a major overhaul of the endgame, with a renewed focus on the Landsraad system. The developers plan to introduce more variety in activities beyond the current delivery-based contracts, with new quest types like assassinations, treasure maps, races, and duels. This is a massive change that aims to make the endgame more engaging and rewarding for both solo players and large guilds. The ultimate goal is to transition the Deep Desert back to a player-driven sandbox for spice control.
• Paid DLC: Raiders of the Broken LandsThis DLC will coincide with the Chapter 3 update and will focus on the “raider” aesthetic. It will include new cosmetics, armor, and weapon skins inspired by the fearsome desert clans, adding a new layer of customization to player characters and vehicles.

Q2 2026: The Water Wars and Further Expansion

• Paid DLC: The Water WarsThis is perhaps the most intriguing paid content on the roadmap. It will revolve around a full-scale conflict between the Water Shipper families, fighting for control of the polar caps of Arrakis. This is a high-stakes, PvP-driven expansion that promises to add a new region and new mechanics centered on the most precious resource on the planet: water. It’s a direct response to a core tenet of the Dune lore and offers a clear, compelling conflict for players to engage in.
• Free Update: Chapter 4The roadmap also confirms a fourth free chapter, arriving in Q2 2026, with more details to be revealed later. This commitment to regular, free story content alongside paid DLC is a strong signal of Funcom’s dedication to its player base.

The final, and most significant, note on the roadmap is the planned console launch for the second half of 2026. This is a major milestone that will open the game up to a massive new audience on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, solidifying its position in the multiplayer survival market. Funcom’s detailed and honest roadmap is a promising sign for Dune: Awakening. It shows a clear understanding of the community’s concerns and a long-term plan to address them, ensuring that the journey on Arrakis will be a long and eventful one for both new and veteran players alike.