With Gamescom 2025 wrapped up, one of the most exciting and debated showcases came from Funcom, developers of the survival MMO Dune: Awakening. In a long-awaited update, the studio revealed Chapter 2, a substantial free story expansion, alongside a new paid DLC titled The Lost Harvest. Both are set to Buy Solari drop on September 10, 2025, and mark a critical moment for the game’s post-launch life.

A New Chapter in the Sands

Chapter 2 continues the narrative of your exile on Arrakis, digging deeper into the worldbuilding, character origins, and factional tensions that define the Dune universe. Players can expect new quests, lore-rich NPC encounters, and a progression of the “echoes” that reveal fragments of your past.

Among the most exciting additions is character re-customization. Funcom confirmed that players can now revisit their appearance—altering features like hair, tattoos, and more. This small but long-requested quality-of-life improvement brings Dune: Awakening closer to the standards expected in modern MMOs.

The update also brings new archetype armor sets—visual representations of your evolving role within the game’s fractured social hierarchy. Whether you lean toward the Spacing Guild, the Fremen, or the corrupt nobles of the Landsraad, your gear will reflect your path.

In terms of gameplay, dynamic world encounters and mission contracts will be layered into the sandbox, offering more emergent moments in both solo and co-op play. These aren't just filler tasks—they're designed to shape your story and deepen faction influence across Arrakis.

The Lost Harvest: A DLC Built for Lore Lovers

Alongside the free content, Funcom announced a new premium DLC called The Lost Harvest, available for $12.99 standalone or as part of a $24.99 Season Pass. Rather than offering stat-boosting gear or power creep, this content leans into immersive storytelling and cosmetic flair.

The central narrative of The Lost Harvest follows a downed carryall, the iconic flying machines used to extract spice harvesters from the sand before worms strike. The Miner’s Guild—a neutral but shady entity—hires you to investigate the crash site and recover valuable assets.

It’s not just a fetch quest. Players will encounter corrupted AI systems, uncover sabotage, and get hints about growing unrest in the spice economy—hinting at threads that could tie into future story chapters.

The DLC also includes:

• A rideable Treadwheel vehicle: slow but durable, a true “workhorse” of the desert.

• Miner’s Guild building set: allowing players to construct outposts and bases with a gritty, industrial aesthetic.

• Exclusive armor and weapon skins, including the Miner’s EVA suit and plasma cutter.

• The controversial but stylistically unique “Dune Man” cosmetic set, which sparked some debate in the fanbase (more on that in Blog 3).

Cosmetic-Only Promise: No Pay-to-Win

One thing Funcom made very clear during their Gamescom panel: none of the DLC content offers gameplay advantages. Executive producer Scott Junior stated, “We want players who don’t buy the DLC to still have an equal competitive experience.”

This stance is vital in a survival MMO where PvP and resource competition are central. While some fans are cautious after seeing cosmetics like a dragon-headed speeder teased in concept art, Funcom insists these skins won’t disrupt Dune’s serious tone or give unfair boosts.

Community Reaction: Cautious Optimism

The reveal has reignited interest in Dune: Awakening, especially among players who had been waiting for more substantial content after launch. Still, the rollout wasn’t without criticism. Some fans voiced concern about the timing of communication, with updates appearing sparse over the summer.

Funcom addressed this directly, citing state-mandated employee vacations and internal restructuring as reasons for the delay. Their renewed commitment to a 3–4 month content cadence and transparent roadmaps has helped rebuild trust—for now.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Chapter 3 is already on the horizon for early 2026, bringing massive changes to the Landsraad system, PvP contracts, and endgame loops (covered in Blog 5). But for now, Chapter 2 and The Lost Harvest represent a major step in realizing Funcom’s vision for a living, breathing Arrakis.

For both die-hard Dune Awakening Solari on sale here fans and survival game veterans, September 10th offers a new reason to return to the desert. Whether you're uncovering the truth behind a spice heist or just customizing your exile’s look for the first time, there's never been a better time to jump back into the sand.