Funcom’s Dune Awakening is making its console debut on September 22. While Funcom hopes that the new release will be a second-wind for the game, fans are already upset over the port’s lack of cross-play on launch.
Unfortunately, Dune Awakening players will be trapped to their respective systems on launch. However, the game’s lack of cross-play isn’t because the devs are against the feature. Instead, the team notes that implementing the feature would likely result in a delay for the console port.
Speaking to Eurogamer after the port’s reveal, Funcom explained that they will “address it more in an upcoming livestream”. While the developer did not confirm whether or not cross-play is on the table for the future, they explained that they do want the feature for players.
“Ultimately, we know players want it,” the developer said. “WE want it. But it is technically and operationally complex to implement crossplay in Dune: Awakening and would require us to put resources on it that are currently focused on making the console port and the September update the best it can be.”
In a prior interview with us at FRVR, Dune Awakening game director Joel Bylos confirmed that the game’s console port includes a number of major improvements. Alongside the arrival of the long-awaited single-player mode, the new port will include many technical fixes and other improvements such as revised controller support.
After a year of release, Dune Awakening is also still sticking to the game’s previously announced ten-year plan with no changes as of yet. Every year will see the game stick to a new theme with new stories, quests, locations and features coming to the game.
“We [will] work towards these things,” Bylos said. “We see what players are saying, change if we need to. Sometimes we won’t change things if we think that, ‘no, this will actually be really good for players’ been though they don’t know what’s coming, right?
The lack of cross-play is surprising for Dune Awakening’s console launch, although it does explain the recent exodus of a number of PC servers. With cross-play, all players would benefit from the mass arrival of new players this September with the land of Arrakis teeming with people.
