Dune: Awakening is getting a free DLC that adds a whole new map and swaps out sand for snow
Funcom has announced a free expansion for its survival MMO Dune: Awakening, scheduled to release in December. The update, titled “Blood and Ice,” introduces a new playable map called the Polar Sink, taking players from the scorching deserts of Arrakis to the planet’s frozen northern regions.
The expansion represents a significant shift in the game’s survival mechanics. Rather than managing heat exposure as players do in the original desert-based gameplay, the Polar Sink reverses this core concept—players must actively seek warmth to survive the extreme cold environment. This fundamental gameplay shift provides new survival challenges and strategic considerations for players exploring the icy landscape.
The announcement comes after Funcom completed a major overhaul of Dune: Awakening, transforming it into a more flexible experience that supports solo play alongside PvE adventures. With that foundation established, the studio is now focused on expanding the game’s content and world-building. The free DLC approach suggests Funcom’s commitment to growing the player base and providing substantial content updates at no additional cost.
The Polar Sink marks a notable expansion of Arrakis’s explorable geography, offering players entirely new environments and survival mechanics to master.