Funcom, developer of the acclaimed survival MMO Dune: Awakening, confirmed staff reductions in a communication shared with GamesIndustry.Biz, labeling the title as “the most ambitious project in our three-decade legacy of game development.”

First released on PC in June 2025, the game reportedly exceeded 1 million sales within weeks, ranking among June’s most-streamed titles and securing a position as a top-grossing release for the year. Despite this momentum, the studio revealed plans to downsize teams post-launch.

The announcement highlights a paradox: even record-breaking success couldn’t shield employees from organizational restructuring. Funcom’s leadership framed the decisions as necessary to align resources with live-service priorities and an upcoming console adaptation.

“Awakening has demonstrated immense promise, demanding concentrated efforts on expanding content and refining systems,” the statement noted. “Shifting to sustained live operations while preparing for next year’s console debut compels us to streamline operations across studios. Regrettably, this involves parting ways with valued team members. The full scope remains undetermined, and we’re actively exploring relocation options for affected staff.”

Leadership emphasized assistance for departing employees, adding, “Our priority is supporting these individuals during this transition. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this sensitive period.”

This update follows the launch of Awakening’s inaugural expansion, which coincided with a limited-time trial allowing PC users to sample the title. Funcom previously indicated to press at Gamescom 2025 that console editions would arrive roughly twelve months after the initial PC rollout.