Funcom’s Dune: Awakening is getting a substantial update, currently accessible via the Steam public test branch. Developers are using this testing phase to fine-tune the patch before its official release next month. This update addresses community feedback, notably enhancing resource management and mitigating griefing tactics.
The development team particularly encourages players to focus their testing efforts during this two-week period on the new bulk resource deposit feature and the ornithopter collision adjustments. To facilitate a smoother testing experience, taxes and sandstorms will be temporarily disabled during the first week, ensuring player bases remain safe.
Patch 1.1.20’s highlights begin with these crucial improvements. “To address ornithopter griefing, colliding aircraft will now experience a separation force,” the developers stated. “This update aims to prevent disruptive swarming tactics against Carrier ornithopters.” This change prevents players from being crashed into or pinned down by groups of ornithopters, although accidental head-on collisions will also be affected.
To encourage thorough testing, Funcom is providing existing test client players who have created a character with a complimentary high-tier buggy, scout ornithopter, assault ornithopter, and carrier ornithopter. Detailed instructions on how to claim these vehicles can be found in the complete patch notes.
Responding directly to player requests, the update introduces a convenient one-click option to deposit all carried blood and water into purifiers and cisterns. While water can also be withdrawn in bulk, the same functionality isn’t available for blood.
Other notable changes include repositioning spice and flour sand fields in Hagga Basin to be within sandworm territory. This change impacts players who have been harvesting these resources without sandworm risk. Sandworms have also received a slight lethality increase; direct contact with a sandworm during any animation will result in immediate death or vehicle destruction.
On a more positive note, the patch reduces the cost of several in-game items, including melange spiced beer, spiced wine, spiced liquor, and even napalm, aiming to make these items more appealing to players.
Since announcing the patch, Funcom has also announced a significant modification regarding pentashield construction. Building pentashields without adequate structural support will now be prohibited. Existing unsupported pentashields will collapse upon the full release of patch 1.1.20.
Funcom plans to deploy the update fully on August 12th, so please take note of the date.