00:00We know players want it. We want it.
00:02Dune Awakening developers address lack of cross-play on console launch.
00:08Dune Awakening developer Funcom has responded to criticism following confirmation that cross-play will not be included when the game
00:15launches on consoles,
00:16telling Eurogamer,
00:19We know players want it. We want it.
00:21The issue comes to light alongside this week's announcement that Dune Awakening will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series
00:29X and S this September.
00:31The reveal also confirmed that the game's upcoming single-player mode will release across all platforms on the same date.
00:40After the announcement, Eurogamer reached out to Funcom for clarification on why cross-play is being omitted.
00:46The studio has now responded, acknowledging the community's expectations while also pointing to technical and production constraints.
00:54We will address it more in upcoming livestream, Funcom said in a statement,
00:59but ultimately we know players want it. We want it.
01:02But it is technically and operationally complex to implement cross-play in Dune Awakening
01:07and would require us to put resources on it that are currently focused on making the console port and the
01:13September update the best it can be.
01:15Without cross-play support, players will generally be restricted to matchmaking and multiplayer with others on the same platform.
01:22The one exception is Xbox, where players will be able to play with those using the Windows PC Store version
01:28of Dune Awakening.
01:30The September update represents a major milestone for the game, which has so far been exclusive to PC.
01:36Alongside the console release, it will also complete the game's first major narrative arc,
01:41referred to internally as a book, meaning new console players will be able to experience the full story from the
01:48outset.
01:49Funcom has stated that more details about the cross-play decision will be shared during an upcoming developer livestream.
01:56However, no date has yet been announced for the broadcast.
01:59For now, players interested in further updates will need to follow official Dune Awakening social media channels for more information.
02:08Okay, so when I first heard about this, about Dune not getting cross-play,
02:16the first thought was, why is cross-play being delayed?
02:22We're not talking about like an online mode like GTA 5.
02:25We're not talking about, you know, like a major story arc or something.
02:32We're talking about cross-play, and yes, I've never developed a video game before.
02:36I'll admit that.
02:38But is it really that hard to add cross-play in before?
02:42I mean, you've still got a few months before it's coming out.
02:45Tonight it's June 4th, and it's coming out in September.
02:50How long does it take to make sure cross-play is operational and will work,
02:55so players can play against anyone on any console?
03:01Is it really that long of a process?
03:04This sounds like something that you say we want it, but that's just good PR.
03:11If you really wanted it, how long does it take to make sure a game is cross-playable?
03:17Because, and another thing I was thinking about when I heard this earlier,
03:22you either have to do it now, or you're going to do it later.
03:26The process is not going to be shorter if you wait.
03:29It's still going to take just as long.
03:33So, what's the hold-up?
03:36Why is this game not going to be cross-playable from day one?
03:42That just doesn't make any sense to me.
03:45Again, I might be wrong.
03:46I never developed a game before.
03:49So, but I just figured cross-play would be something that,
03:53if it could obviously be added later,
03:56why can't they just get it working?
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