One of the most anticipated features of Dune: Awakening is its deep crafting and economy system, which is closely tied to the lore of the Dune universe. Spice, the game’s central resource, isn't just a lore-friendly collectible — it fuels the entire economy and progression system. Players will be able to harvest it, refine it, sell it, and even become addicted to it, mirroring its effects in the books Dune Awakening Solari.

Crafting isn’t just about survival tools. According to early developer statements, there will be advanced technology trees, weapon mods, base defenses, and even political infrastructure that players can construct. Creating and maintaining a spice operation could require an entire group or guild, with some players handling logistics, others defending convoys, and others negotiating trade.

The player-driven economy will be critical. If Funcom integrates a robust marketplace system—perhaps similar to EVE Online or Albion Online—then Dune: Awakening could become a long-lasting ecosystem where political intrigue, economic warfare, and social strategy are just as important as combat.

Monetization: A Point of Contention

Given its MMO nature, many fans are cautious about how the game will be monetized. Will Dune: Awakening be free-to-play with microtransactions? A subscription model? Buy-to-play with expansions?

Funcom has not yet fully clarified its long-term monetization plans, and this silence has led to speculation. The MMO space has been burned before by intrusive cash shops, pay-to-win mechanics, and exploitative cosmetic economies. For a game based on Dune—a franchise built on depth and substance—it would be disappointing to see the experience diluted by aggressive monetization.

The best-case scenario? A fair system where cosmetics or convenience items are available for purchase, but progression, power, and influence are strictly earned through gameplay Dune Awakening Items for sale.