Dune Awakening Explains Controversial Endgame: PvE Players Won't Be Forced Into PvP

Dune Awakening developers respond to endgame system criticism and promise changes to Deep Desert. PvE players will gain access to content without PvP requirements, while the Landsraad system undergoes significant adjustments for better accessibility to all player types.

What's Happening with Dune Awakening's Endgame?

Creative Director Joel openly admitted that the current endgame system in Dune Awakening has fundamental problems. The original vision where players would collaborate in the Deep Desert while facing the dangers of Arrakis proved too competitive and exclusive for the PvE community.

YWhy is this a problem? Many players report being cut out of endgame content due to the extremely competitive nature of the Deep Desert, where PvP dominates.

The problem is clear - players who prefer PvE don't have access to the game's best content because it's locked behind a PvP barrier.

Key Changes Coming to Deep Desert 🏜️

Funcom is preparing revolutionary changes for the Deep Desert system:

New PvE Zones

✓ Partial Warfare (PvE) areas for safe gameplay
✓ Access to testing stations without PvP stress
✓ T6 resources available to PvE players
✓ Preservation of highest-risk areas for PvP enthusiasts

What Remains PvP

Landsraad control points will continue to be PvP zones with the highest rewards. Shipwrecks with the best loot will maintain their War of Assassins nature. The largest spice fields in the region will remain battlegrounds for every gram of precious spice. The deepest parts of Deep Desert will keep their original high reward, high risk identity.

Technical PvP Mechanics Adjustments ⚔️

Developers acknowledge that the PvP system has serious issues. The first wave of fixes will focus on Scout Ornithopters, which are getting reduced speed and maneuverability when using rocket launchers. Heat generation from rockets will be significantly higher, eliminating spam shooting.

Thruster bonus will ensure maximum speed regardless of wing type, so thruster-equipped scouts will be the fastest vehicles in the game. A new T5 rocket launcher for infantry should improve ground combat dynamics against vehicles.

💡 Pro tip: Developers want combined arms (infantry, ground vehicles, aircraft) to have clear roles and weaknesses, not have thopters dominate all aspects of combat.

Landsraad System Gets Major Overhaul 🏛️

Landsraad was supposed to be the endgame activity driver for all players, but reality is different:

Current Problems

❌ Simplistic activities like mostly hand-ins and crafting requests
❌ Stockpiling is rewarded instead of active gameplay
❌ Rapid quest completion without ability to turn in later
❌ Insufficient micro rewards for solo players

Planned Improvements

✓ More varied activities than just item turn-ins
✓ Dungeons with bosses and endgame loot
✓ Specialized delivery tasks with unique components
✓ Possible raids integrated into the system
✓ Micro rewards for smaller groups

Developers promise that Landsraad will be an umbrella for all endgame activities. If they ever add raids to the game, they'll be part of Landsraad tasks. It's a framework that holds endgame activities together.

Future Content and DLC 📈

Funcom promises continuous expansion of the game world. More PvE dungeons with challenging bosses will be regularly added along with special contracts requiring specific tasks. They plan both free and paid content in the form of DLC and expansions extending the game world.

⚠️ Warning: Top tier content will always be designed for guilds and groups, so solo players must expect grinding.

Philosophy of Retreat and Smart Play 🧠

Understanding the intended dynamics of Deep Desert PvP is crucial. You always have the option to retreat with whatever you've managed to claim so far, if you play smart and vigilant. A smart and vigilant approach allows you to avoid fights you don't want.

PvP should happen only when both parties want to fight over a specific location. Retreat isn't failure - it's a tactical choice. If you run, you'll have to halt your current task, but that should always be your choice.

Critical Issues Being Addressed 🔧

Developers acknowledge these game-breaking issues and are working on fixes:

✓ Respawn timers - adjusted for fairer gameplay
✓ Vehicle storage tools - eliminating abuse
✓ Hand scanners - fixing exploits
✓ Deep Desert mechanics - complete overhaul

Additionally, they plan more changes to Deep Desert to support ground battles and reinforce the use of player builds instead of pure vehicle dominance.

Weekly Resets and Experimentation 🔄

The beauty of Deep Desert design with weekly resets and renewals is that developers can iterate and experiment with different layouts and setups. With each change, they'll send out surveys to capture player opinions.

This system allows continuous tuning of the endgame experience without waiting for major patches.

Transparency and Future Communication 📢

Joel concludes by acknowledging that a live game becomes a collaborative effort between developers and players. They appreciate community feedback and want to make Dune Awakening a game that everyone can enjoy.

They promise to be clear and open in communication and work together with players to create something amazing on the long journey that's just beginning.

Final Summary

Dune Awakening is going through a critical phase of its existence. Developers finally admitted that the original endgame vision was too exclusive and PvE players were unfairly excluded from the best content.

Recommendations:

• PvE players - wait for Partial Warfare zone implementation before returning to Deep Desert
• PvP players - expect more balanced combat after vehicle mechanics fixes
• Guilds - prepare for more varied Landsraad activities and new endgame challenges
• Solo players - micro rewards system will finally enable meaningful progress without requiring large groups

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FAQ

Q: When will Partial Warfare (PvE) zones be implemented in Deep Desert?
A: Developers state "starting soon" but haven't specified an exact date. Changes should come with the next major patch.

Q: Will PvE zones provide the same rewards as PvP areas?
A: No, the deepest parts of Deep Desert with the best rewards will remain PvP. PvE zones will have access to T6 resources and testing stations, but top tier content stays high risk, high reward.

Q: How will Scout Ornithopters change after adjustments?
A: Scouts with rocket launchers will be slower and less maneuverable, rockets will generate more heat. However, thruster-equipped scouts will be the fastest vehicles in the game.

Q: Will it be possible to play endgame completely solo?
A: Partially yes, but developers warn that top tier content is designed for guilds and groups. Solo players will have access to micro rewards, but it will be grindier.

Q: What exactly does the "combined arms" approach to PvP mean?
A: Each unit type (infantry, ground vehicles, aircraft) should have a clear role, strengths, and weaknesses. Thopters won't dominate all aspects of combat as they have until now.