MMOEXP Dune: Awakening ：Let’s talk about the sandbike itself

[Damnmy]

Dune: Awakening is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious and intriguing entries in the open-world survival MMO space. Developed by Funcom and set in the brutal, windswept universe of Frank Herbert's iconic Dune series, the game promises a unique blend of survival mechanics, political intrigue, and massive multiplayer interactions on the desert planet of Arrakis. But as development continues and glimpses of gameplay emerge, there’s a growing concern among fans and critics alike: Dune: Awakening needs to take the training wheels off the sandbike and embrace its full potential.

In this article, we'll explore what that means—both literally and metaphorically. We'll discuss the current state of gameplay, how it aligns with the Dune mythos, and why Funcom needs to move past overly cautious design choices if they want to create a lasting, genre-defining experience.

The Promise of Dune: Awakening
From its first announcement, Dune: Awakening has tantalized players with a vision of survival meets strategy in a massive shared world. Drawing on inspiration from Conan Exiles—another Funcom title known for its open-ended survival gameplay—Dune: Awakening aims to elevate the formula by weaving in high-stakes politics, factional warfare, and resource dominance, all wrapped in the philosophical and ecological richness of Herbert’s universe.

Among the most hyped features is the sandbike, a high-speed traversal vehicle that evokes the thrill of skimming over dunes while dodging sandworms and rival players. But here's where the metaphor begins: just like a beginner's bicycle comes with training wheels, much of what we’ve seen from Dune: Awakening feels like it’s being artificially constrained—whether by safe mechanics, conservative balancing, or limited systems that don’t yet reflect the cutthroat nature of Arrakis.

What Are the “Training Wheels”?
So, what exactly are the “training wheels” that need to come off? They manifest in several aspects of the game design that currently feel overly cautious or simplified, potentially undermining the immersive and ruthless spirit of Dune.

1. Overly Guided Progression
Most survival MMOs start with tutorials, soft zones, or protected starter areas—and that makes sense. But Dune: Awakening risks diluting its hardcore identity by holding the player’s hand too tightly. Players should not feel like they're walking through a theme park with checkpoints—they should feel like they're surviving in one of the most dangerous environments in science fiction.

To align with this vision, the game needs to adopt a learn-through-experience model. Players must fail, adapt, and evolve—not just follow quest markers or paint-by-numbers tutorials. This is Arrakis, after all—not a sandbox designed for safety.

2. Restrictive Vehicle Physics and Speed Caps
Let’s talk about the sandbike itself. In previews and early builds, the vehicle is sleek and promising—but restrained. Speed feels artificially limited. Movement is stiff, preventing the kind of freeform traversal that fans expect from an open-world desert racer. This directly clashes with the fantasy of piloting a sandbike at breakneck speeds across endless dunes, narrowly avoiding a Shai-Hulud rising from the sand.

Let the sandbike be dangerous. Let it be fast. Let it be an extension of player risk-taking, not a locked-down mobility option balanced for lowest common denominator gameplay.

3. Safe Zones and Sandworm-Free Areas
One of the most compelling dangers on Arrakis is the sandworm. These colossal, nearly indestructible creatures should shape player behavior at all times. Yet, early reports suggest that some regions are "safe zones" or "low-risk" zones for sandworm activity. While a small buffer is reasonable for new players, too much protection creates a false sense of security.
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