Tag: Funcom

  • Funcom Restructures, Closes Studio Behind Metal: Hellsinger

    Funcom Restructures, Closes Studio Behind Metal: Hellsinger

    Key Takeaways

    1. Funcom has closed its studio, The Outsiders, known for the rhythm shooter Metal: Hellsinger, affecting the entire team.
    2. The closure is part of layoffs due to Funcom’s shift in focus towards live operations for Dune: Awakening, which has had early commercial success.
    3. Funcom announced restructuring of its projects and studios, preparing for a major console release set for 2026.
    4. David Goldfarb, the founder of The Outsiders, reflected on the studio’s journey and the success of Metal: Hellsinger despite previous challenges.
    5. Funcom, owned by Tencent since 2020, has left the future of The Outsiders and its titles uncertain amid ongoing industry challenges.

    Funcom has closed its studio, The Outsiders, located in Stockholm. This studio is well-known for the rhythm shooter, Metal: Hellsinger. The closure comes as part of layoffs announced earlier this month. David Goldfarb, the founder and creative director of The Outsiders, confirmed this on October 6.

    Impact on the Team

    The closure has affected the entire team of the 10-year-old studio, which Funcom bought in 2021 for an undisclosed amount just before the reveal of Metal: Hellsinger. Goldfarb shared the news on BlueSky, saying:

    “I have not had much time to process the news, but all of us at The Outsiders and Funcom Stockholm have been affected by the layoffs at Funcom, and our 10-year-old studio will be closing.”

    Shift in Priorities

    Reportedly, the layoffs were due to Funcom’s change in focus with live operations for Dune: Awakening, which launched in June 2025. The game sold over one million copies within its first two weeks, making it Funcom’s fastest-selling title and the biggest release in its 32-year history. Dune: Awakening reached a peak of 189,333 concurrent players on Steam by June 15 but has since dropped to an average of around 20,000 daily players. Despite its early success, Funcom announced on October 1 that it would undergo restructuring across its projects and studios, preparing for a significant console release set for 2026.

    Funcom stated, “Unfortunately, this also means having to say goodbye to cherished colleagues.” However, they did not disclose how many employees were affected by these changes.

    Reflections on the Journey

    In his post, Goldfarb reflected on the studio’s journey, mentioning how they rose from the ashes after the cancellation of an earlier project called Darkborn. Goldfarb expressed:

    “Many of us had survived a near-death studio experience years back when Darkborn was cancelled, and because of this team’s loyalty and refusal to quit, Metal: Hellsinger was born. It will forever be a high point for me personally, and I will be forever grateful we got to make it and for the wonderful team and partnerships that made it happen.”

    Metal: Hellsinger received critical acclaim for its engaging heavy metal soundtracks, featuring vocalists from bands like Arch Enemy, Lamb of God, and Trivium. The game reached one million players across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox by December 2022, and exceeded 3.3 million players across all platforms by October 2024.

    Funcom has been owned by Tencent since 2020 and is also known for other intellectual properties like Conan Exiles. The company has not provided any comments regarding the studio’s future or beloved titles like Metal: Hellsinger, essentially leaving its legacy uncertain amid ongoing challenges in the gaming industry.

    David Goldfarb – BlueSky

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  • Dune: Awakening 10-Hour Free Trial on Steam with Progress Carryover

    Dune: Awakening 10-Hour Free Trial on Steam with Progress Carryover

    Key Takeaways

    1. Funcom has launched a free, 10-hour trial for Dune: Awakening on Steam, available until August 24, 2025.
    2. Players can explore most of Hagga Basin, with the trial timer only counting during active gameplay.
    3. Characters created in the trial will be on special Free Trial servers and will interact only with other trial players.
    4. Progress like character level, journey progress, skills, and backpack contents will carry over if players purchase the full game, but bases and vehicles have restrictions.
    5. Funcom will release a free expansion (Chapter 2) and a paid DLC (The Lost Harvest) on September 10, 2023.

    Funcom has launched a free, 10-hour trial for its survival MMO Dune: Awakening on Steam. This offer is available until August 24, 2025, letting players download the game and explore a large part of Hagga Basin without needing to purchase it.

    Details of the Trial

    According to Funcom’s announcement on Steam, the Dune: Awakening Free Trial is live now. Players can grab the game on Steam and enjoy 10 hours of gameplay, with the timer only counting down when they’re actively playing.

    Characters created during the trial will be placed on special Free Trial servers, where they will only interact with other trial players, as mentioned in the Funcom Free Trial FAQ. The trial allows access to most of Hagga Basin, though some areas like Harko Village, Arrakeen, and the Deep Desert are off-limits. Players can build bases and explore, and if they decide to buy the full version later, some progress will carry over with certain restrictions. Funcom assures that character level, journey progress, skills, and backpack contents will be saved, but bases, vehicles, and over 10,000 Solaris will not carry over. However, players can keep their bases if they are blueprinted, and vehicles can be restored using a backup tool.

    Upcoming Releases

    This free trial coincides with Gamescom week, where Funcom has also revealed two new releases. A free expansion called Chapter 2 and a DLC titled The Lost Harvest, which costs $12.99 USD, are set to launch on September 10. To accompany this announcement, Funcom released an official trailer that highlights the new features and content from both updates.

    Additional Information

    For more details, players can check out the Steam announcement and the Funcom FAQ. The upcoming update on September 10 is something fans are eagerly looking forward to.

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  • Dune Awakening Update: New PvE Zones and PvP Balancing Changes

    Dune Awakening Update: New PvE Zones and PvP Balancing Changes

    Key Takeaways

    1. Redesign of the Deep Desert: The game will introduce “Partial Warfare (PvE)” zones, allowing players to gather resources without combat, while maintaining high-risk PvP areas for those who prefer it.

    2. Solo Play Enhancements: Adjustments will make the game more friendly for solo players, though challenges remain as systems are still geared towards group play.

    3. PvP Balancing Updates: Key changes will address issues like Scout Ornithopters with rockets, along with updates to respawn timers and vehicle storage to encourage strategic gameplay.

    4. Improvements to the Landsraad: The political system driving endgame activities will evolve beyond basic turn-ins and crafting, responding to player feedback for more engaging content.

    5. Community Engagement Commitment: The developers are focusing on transparent communication and collaboration with players, with plans for regular updates and surveys to shape future content.

    At the core of the modifications is a redesign of the Deep Desert, which is the game’s endlessly resetting high-reward endgame area. Right now, the whole region acts as a high-stakes PvP zone, causing players who prefer PvE to feel isolated. In the next update, some locations will be marked as “Partial Warfare (PvE),” enabling players to collect precious ‘T6’ resources and explore freely without the worry of combat. The most remote areas, filled with top-tier treasures like the largest spice fields and shipwrecks, will stay as “War of Assassins (PvP),” keeping high-risk gameplay for those who desire it.

    Solo Play Adjustments

    Joel pointed out that although these changes will make the game more accommodating for solo players, they should still be ready for a grind since the systems are designed with group play in mind.

    PvP Rebalancing

    The PvP aspect isn’t being neglected either. A significant issue, the Scout Ornithopters equipped with rockets, is set to be fixed with new balancing adjustments.

    Other updates related to PvP are also in the pipeline, including changes to respawn timers, vehicle storage options, and hand scanners—all designed to deter misuse of existing systems and promote smarter battles.

    The development team’s aim is to create a “combined arms” battlefield where infantry, vehicles, and air units each have unique and counterable roles, tackling another player complaint about a monotonous endgame in the Deep Desert, filled solely with Scout Ornithopter confrontations, and lacking ground unit engagement.

    Focus on the Landsraad

    The Landsraad, which acts as the political and activity-driving foundation of the endgame, is getting some attention too. Joel recognized the current limitations of the system—basic item turn-ins and crafting requests—but mentioned that this is only the beginning. The Landsraad will develop with:

    This update comes after a wave of community feedback that arose following Dune: Awakening’s initial post-launch AMA. Some players voiced their frustration over perceived vague answers and a lack of transparency. The latest developer message appears to be a move toward more open and detailed communication, aiming to address common worries regarding endgame accessibility and gameplay balance directly.

    Community Engagement and Future Plans

    The situation is not unique to Dune: Awakening. Other live service games like Anthem, Marvel’s Avengers, and New World have shown the importance of responding to community feedback consistently. Funcom’s recent comments indicate awareness of this and a readiness to adjust the game based on player suggestions. As development progresses, the emphasis seems to be shifting towards fostering a more collaborative relationship with the player community. Weekly resets in the Deep Desert and upcoming player surveys will contribute to shaping future updates. The studio assures ongoing support with both free and paid content, along with a commitment to transparency.

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    Dune Awakening Update: New PvE Zones and PvP Balancing ChangesDune Awakening Update: New PvE Zones and PvP Balancing Changes
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  • Dune: Awakening Release Date Delayed After Beta Test Feedback

    Dune: Awakening Release Date Delayed After Beta Test Feedback

    Key Takeaways

    1. Release Date Delay: Dune: Awakening’s launch has been delayed from May 20th to June 10th, 2023.

    2. Beta Testing: Funcom is conducting extensive beta tests, including a preview beta for journalists and a closed beta, to address any issues before launch.

    3. Large-Scale Beta Weekend: Funcom plans to host a large-scale beta weekend in May, offering more players a chance to experience the game.

    4. Early Access for Pre-orders: Players who pre-order the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition will get a head start on June 5th, five days before the official release.

    5. Gameplay Features: The game offers a unique experience based on both recent films and classic novels, emphasizing survival and combat on the desert planet of Arrakis.

    Since it was first shown in 2022, the journey to the launch of Dune: Awakening has been quite lengthy. In February, players finally got some news about this survival/MMO title, including its arrival date on PCs. The initial release date was set for May 20th, but Funcom recently announced a delay. Thankfully, fans will only need to wait an extra three weeks to dive into the dangerous world of Arrakis. The game is now set to launch on June 10th, as revealed by the developer on their official Discord server.

    Beta Testing and Feedback

    Dune: Awakening is extensive in design, and Funcom has been conducting beta tests to ensure a smooth launch. A preview beta is currently active, allowing journalists to share their thoughts starting April 25th. However, these sessions are not merely a promotional strategy; a closed beta has raised some worries. While Funcom hasn’t elaborated on the specific issues, the short delay suggests that they are unlikely to be significant.

    Upcoming Events and Editions

    In their announcement on Discord, Funcom hinted that more players might get a chance to experience Dune: Awakening in May. They plan to host a “large-scale beta weekend,” with further details coming soon. Although the game won’t have early access, Funcom mentioned a head start on June 5th, just five days ahead of the official release date. Players who want to be among the first to level up their characters need to pre-order the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition.

    Unique Gameplay Experience

    Dune: Awakening incorporates elements from the recent films by Denis Villeneuve as well as the classic novels by Frank Herbert. Players will step into an alternate timeline where Paul Atreides never came to be. Mastering survival and combat skills will be crucial to manage severe thirst and confront hostile factions on Arrakis.

    Fans who can’t wait can now download a character creator that will transfer to the final game. Additionally, a benchmark tool is available on Steam to meet the minimum PC requirements already outlined. In the future, players can expect console versions of Dune: Awakening to be released.

    Dune: Awakening Release Date Delayed After Beta Test Feedback
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  • Duke Awakening Release Date Confirmed Tomorrow in New Trailer

    Duke Awakening Release Date Confirmed Tomorrow in New Trailer

    Key Takeaways

    1. Funcom will reveal the release date for Dune: Awakening on February 20 through a trailer on YouTube.
    2. The game features unique storytelling elements, including a different narrative where Lady Jessica has a daughter instead of Paul Atreides.
    3. Players are debating whether the gameplay will focus more on MMORPG or survival aspects, with elements like spice raids and solo scavenging.
    4. Fans have been disappointed by the lack of updates since the announcement in August 2024, but the game is still expected to launch in early 2025.
    5. A new video showcasing the visuals of Arrakis was recently released, reassuring fans that development is ongoing.

    Fans will be finding out soon when Funcom’s survival MMO will be ready for PC players. Set against the dark backdrop of Frank Herbert’s Arrakis, Dune: Awakening combines the base building and looting elements from the developer’s Conan Exiles with the MMO experience of Anarchy Online. Funcom is set to unveil a trailer revealing the release date for Dune: Awakening on YouTube on February 20.

    Unique Storytelling

    Dune: Awakening offers a fresh take on the narratives from Herbert’s novels and Denis Villeneuve’s latest films. One of the standout changes is that Lady Jessica gives birth to a daughter instead of Paul Atreides. Players will meet other characters who met their end in the books or movies but are still alive within the world of Funcom’s Dune: Awakening. Though the timeline might not match up perfectly, the game’s visuals draw inspiration from Villeneuve’s cinematic style.

    Player Expectations

    Eager gamers are currently discussing whether Dune: Awakening will lean more towards MMORPG or survival gameplay. Spice raids could be disastrous without teamwork. Still, a significant part of the game focuses on solo scavenging in the scorching desert, which appeals to fans of survival titles like Conan Exiles or Rust. Conversely, some players yearn for ongoing social encounters and maps filled with opportunities for new friendships.

    Updates and Anticipation

    Since the announcement in August 2024, many fans have felt let down by the sparse updates about Dune: Awakening. The lack of promotional content was notably surprising, given the game’s roots in a well-loved franchise. Earlier this month, Funcom finally shared a new video highlighting the striking visuals of barren Arrakis. The studio also reassured fans that the game is still slated for an early 2025 launch.

    If there are any slight delays, players will learn the exact Dune: Awakening release date tomorrow. The trailer to be revealed on February 20th is scheduled to premiere just before 10 AM EST.

    Duke Awakening Release Date Confirmed Tomorrow in New TrailerDuke Awakening Release Date Confirmed Tomorrow in New Trailer
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