Gamescom 2026 brought a wave of updates for Dune: Awakening, including a paid cosmetic DLC, first console gameplay footage, and confirmation that cross-play is in development. The survival game is heading to PC, Xbox, and PS5, with Deluxe and Ultimate Edition pre-orders granting a head start beginning September 17.
What changed: Filmic Archive DLC, PS5 Pro gameplay, and cross-play all confirmed. Why it matters: Console players get their first real look at performance and cosmetic options. Who should care: Survival fans and Dune film enthusiasts eyeing the console launch.
Filmic Archive DLC Arrives September 22
Launching September 22 for $9.99 across all platforms, the Filmic Archive DLC brings movie-inspired armor sets and a substantial Sardaukar building kit. The DLC draws from both Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two.
| DLC Content Category | Items Included |
|---|---|
| Armor Sets | Aegis of the Unwalked Path, Caladan Stormcoat, Harkonnen Cataphract, Atreides Hoplite, Longhaul Stillsuit |
| Sardaukar Gear | Legionnaire Armor, Velites Armor, Averruncus Stillsuit, Oathblade, Benediction Disruptor |
| Building Pieces | 73 Sardaukar building pieces, 17 Sardaukar decorations |
| Cosmetics | Sardaukar Tactical Swatch, Sardaukar Kneel emote, Sardaukar Blood Wipe emote |
At $9.99, the DLC leans heavily into cosmetic and base-building customization rather than gameplay-altering content, which should keep the survival balance intact for non-purchasers.
PS5 Pro Gameplay and Graphics Modes
Seven minutes of gameplay captured on PlayStation 5 Pro debuted during Gamescom, marking the first console footage for the title. PS5 and PS5 Pro both offer two graphics modes:
- Performance Mode: 60fps, Dynamic 4K
- Quality Mode: 30fps, Dynamic 4K
The PS5 Pro delivers higher native resolution in both modes, plus enhanced visuals in Quality Mode. The footage showcased desert traversal, base establishment, and ornithopter flight.
Cross-Play and the Polar Cap Update
Cross-play is confirmed for after console launch, though no date has been set. Additionally, a free Polar Cap map update arrives later this year, shifting the survival challenge from extreme heat to extreme cold with new mechanics, resources, loot, and a standalone storyline.
Cross-play remains undated, with more details expected as development progresses. The Polar Cap update is slated for later this year, giving console players a new biome to tackle shortly after launch.