Dune Awakening: Insights into Upcoming DLC Plans
During a recent livestream, the development team behind Dune Awakening outlined their exciting plans for downloadable content (DLC). Funcom, well-known for their previous titles like Conan Exiles and The Secret World/Secret World Legends, is taking a strategic approach by applying lessons learned from their existing online games. The intent is to adopt a system of quarterly updates that keeps players engaged and consistently enriches the gaming experience.
Quarterly DLC Release Schedule
In a Q&A session, key members of the Funcom team, including Senior PR Manager Natascha, Lead Producer Ole Andreas, and World Director Jeff, discussed their DLC philosophy. One of the viewers inquired about the frequency of updates, leading to clarity on Funcom’s current approach: a roughly quarterly release cycle for paid DLC, anticipated every three to four months. This strategy resonates with practices observed in other popular online games like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, which also feature a steady rhythm of content updates.
Understanding the DLC Structure
Players will have the option to purchase DLCs individually or secure a bundled Season Pass through Steam. Despite the terminology, Natascha emphasized that this does not imply the presence of a Battle Pass or additional monetization strategies. The term “Season Pass” simply refers to the collection of paid updates, which, while optional, are expected to enhance the gameplay significantly.
Complementary Free Updates
Alongside the paid DLC, the developers plan to release substantial free updates that will introduce new story content, balance adjustments, and other enhancements. These major updates are slated to launch concurrently with the paid DLC, ensuring that all players receive significant value, regardless of their purchase decisions.
Flexibility in Development Plans
While the current roadmap indicates a commitment to quarterly DLC updates, Funcom acknowledges that schedules may need adjusting based on developmental hurdles or shifts in project requirements. The team remains adaptive, ready to revise their plans if necessary to ensure the quality of upcoming content remains high.
Conclusion: Looking Ahead
As Dune Awakening continues to evolve, players can anticipate a variety of enriching content updates. Currently, specific details about the content of these DLCs remain undisclosed, but the promise of both optional paid enhancements and essential free updates aims to sustain a vibrant online gaming community. For those interested in further information, tune into the full livestream clip here (starting at 2:00:50).
Stay tuned as Funcom develops Dune Awakening into a dynamic online experience with fan engagement at the forefront.