Funcom's survival MMO, Dune: Awakening, is set to introduce a significant new environment with its free Blood and Ice expansion, launching on December 1. This update will trade the arid deserts of Arrakis for the frigid landscapes of a new, snow-covered map.
The Blood and Ice expansion promises approximately 35 hours of new progression, alongside the introduction of new vehicle modules, augments, and specialized traits. The update is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox.
Dubbed the Polar Sink, the new map fundamentally alters the game's survival loop. Players will shift their focus from managing extreme heat to combating cold. Survival will depend on upgrading gear using resources exclusive to the Polar Sink. The map is divided into two distinct biomes: the tundra and the ice cap. Players will begin in the tundra, encountering settlements built by affluent water-shipper families, before attempting to infiltrate the heavily secured ice cap.
Once within the ice cap, players can harvest ice, which can be used to cool base equipment and accelerate production. Funcom has stated that the expansion will re-emphasize ground-level survival, with traversal, temperature management, and combat being key elements of player progression. The studio also indicated plans for future updates that will provide additional incentives to explore the Polar Sink region.
In addition to the new map, Blood and Ice introduces a new Events tab to the main menu. Following the conclusion of the current event, The Scourge, a new event titled Water Crisis will become available. Funcom has confirmed that all events will be completable in both single-player and multiplayer modes and intends to increase their frequency, with each event featuring new storylines and offering free rewards.
Funcom has also launched a cosmetics store, intended to fund ongoing development and free updates. Initially, the store will feature a rotating selection of items, including cosmetic options inspired by the Dune films to coincide with the release of Dune: Part Two. The long-term plan is to make the full inventory of cosmetic items permanently available.
Several highly requested community features are also in development. An offline single-player mode is scheduled for release this month. Starting in January 2027, players will be able to copy characters between multiplayer servers and single-player. Furthermore, full cross-play functionality is expected to arrive in January 2027.
Funcom has expressed commitment to continued development, outlining ambitious plans for the upcoming year, including major free updates slated for 2027. The studio noted that over one million new players have joined since the game's console launch, which also saw a revamped endgame, the release of three DLCs, and the conclusion of the game's first story arc, Book One.