Dune: Awakening Development Studio Funcom Facing Layoffs
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Key points
- Tencent announced restructuring to focus its internal resources on releasing new content, features, and enhancements.
- The restructuring is the primary publicized reason for the layoffs affecting Funcom.
- Funcom is a Tencent subsidiary, having been acquired in 2020.
Tencent announced restructuring of its internal resources for Dune: Awakening, shifting from development to long-term live operation. As a result, Funcom, the development studio responsible for the game, is facing layoffs so that the Tencent can focus its resources across projects and studios. The number of impacted employees remains undisclosed.
In an exclusive statement sent to GamesIndustry.biz, the development studio stated that it had to bid farewell to some cherished colleagues.
“This difficult process is starting now, and we cannot yet determine the exact impact. We are working to find new opportunities for those affected. […] Our focus now is to provide these team members with the support and guidance they need, and we ask for your understanding at this time as we will not make further comments during this process,” the studio told the news outlet.
Dune: Awakening was Funcom’s fastest ever-selling game, surpassing one million players within the first two weeks after its PC launch. Dune: Awakening was released on June 10 on Steam; the console versions are slated to release on an undisclosed date in 2026.
The title surpassed 140,000 concurrent peak players on Steam the day of release. Prior to release, during its head start period, Dune: Awakening amassed nearly 100,000 players. The open-world survival title is the studio’s biggest release; despite the game’s success, an undisclosed number of staff are being let go.
