Funcom has confirmed that full crossplay is coming to Dune: Awakening in January 2027, allowing PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox players to explore Arrakis together. The announcement comes alongside details about the game’s upcoming free Blood and Ice expansion, which launches on December 1, 2026, with a new survival region and approximately 35 hours of additional progression.
According to Funcom’s official announcement, crossplay will arrive separately from the expansion. Players waiting to join friends across different platforms will therefore have to wait until January rather than expecting the feature on December 1.
Funcom has also outlined two other major additions. Offline single-player is scheduled for November 2026, while character copying between multiplayer and single-player environments is planned for January 2027.
These features address different player requirements. The game already supports a complete single-player experience, introduced with its September console release. However, the upcoming offline mode will allow players to experience that content without an internet connection.
Blood and Ice Introduces a Frozen Region to Arrakis
Before crossplay arrives, players will get access to Blood and Ice, a free expansion introducing the Polar Sink, an entirely new map located in the frozen northern region of Arrakis.
Unlike the original desert environments, the Polar Sink shifts the survival challenge from managing extreme heat to finding ways to stay warm. The region features two distinct biomes: a tundra and a heavily guarded ice cap. Players will initially explore the tundra, where wealthy water-shipping families have established fortified settlements, before attempting to access the valuable resources found deeper within the frozen territory.
Surviving the new environment will require upgraded equipment, specialised resources, and different strategies. Funcom is also bringing the gameplay focus back to ground-level exploration, making traversal, temperature management, and combat important parts of the experience.
The expansion is expected to provide around 35 hours of progression. Players can also harvest ice from the region to cool their base equipment and accelerate production. Additional content includes new vehicle modules, augments, and specialization traits.
Character Transfers and Offline Mode Have Separate Release Windows
Funcom is also preparing character-copying functionality for January 2027. This feature will allow players to copy their existing multiplayer characters into single-player mode and continue their progression without remaining on multiplayer servers.
The reverse option will also be available, allowing single-player characters to move to selected private servers or self-hosted PC servers. However, server administrators must allow copied characters, meaning transfers will not be universally available across every server.
Offline single-player, meanwhile, is scheduled to arrive in November. This is particularly relevant for players who want to experience the campaign without relying on a stable internet connection.
Funcom has not provided an exact January release date for crossplay or character copying. The developer plans to share additional details closer to their respective launches.
New Events and Cosmetic Store Also Announced
Beyond the expansion and multiplayer improvements, Funcom is introducing a new cosmetics store featuring outfits, vehicle variants, and additional base customization options. The store will initially feature rotating selections, including recognizable designs from the Dune films. A permanent catalogue is planned for a future update.
The developer also confirmed that the Water Crisis event will arrive shortly after Blood and Ice. Players will compete over scarce water supplies and participate in activities tied to the shortage. A new Events tab will launch alongside the expansion, allowing players to track their progress and available rewards.
Funcom says it plans to continue supporting Dune: Awakening with major free updates throughout 2027, introducing additional locations, gameplay mechanics, and content.
With Blood and Ice arriving on December 1 and full crossplay scheduled for January, the coming months will introduce several major changes to the survival game.
| Release Date | June 19, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Platforms | PC |
| Developer | Funcom |
