Dune: Awakening has been in the limelight recently thanks to its big reveal of update 1.4, set to launch on May 19, and redirection to a "PvE first" experience – but not all the news is exciting, as some fans were left wondering about a previously teased new map.
In case you're out of the loop, most of us were hoping that the Polar Cap map – one that The Water Wars DLC page on Steam had previously alluded to – would be released alongside the 1.4 patch and optional paid content later this month.
Following Funcom's rundown of the upcoming update and cosmetics, though, we were left "so disappointed" by the knowledge that the Polar Cap map would, in fact, not be arriving so soon.
im so dissapointed (no polar caps) from r/duneawakening
The developers have a good reason, however: quality. Or, well, that's what it seems to boil down to, according to Funcom's latest blog post – an update on the Polar Cap map. "We know many of you were expecting the new map to arrive with the Water Wars DLC in the form of the Polar Cap," the studio writes.
"That's perfectly understandable, considering the original DLC description referenced the Polar Cap as a location for the Water Shippers faction."
Funcom goes on to explain, "Our intention was to release the Polar Cap map as a free update alongside the Water Wars DLC, same as Chapter 3 saw the release of the Raiders of the Broken Lands DLC and the free update introducing new story content and endgame improvements."
But, it didn't work out that way – although devs do stress they still "firmly believe in keeping the DLCs to optional cosmetic content."
On the other hand, "new features, gameplay, locations, and story content" are to be released "for free to the benefit of all players." So, why isn't the Polar Cap map dropping as a free area with The Water Wars DLC?
"During the past several months, our internal development priorities have shifted as we focused on addressing game systems and endgame feedback," the devs describe. That means the new map needs more tidying.
"The Polar Cap map is a huge amount of work, and we want the quality level to be what you expect from us," as Funcom puts it. "We are still very much actively working on the new map, but this shift in priorities meant having to move it further out in the release plan. We still wanted to deliver the Water Wars DLC to ensure Season Pass holders got it on time."
And, no, "this is not a matter of prioritizing the DLC over the map."
New map teaser from r/duneawakening
Right now, "The Water Wars DLC is ready to go, and we will release it alongside the free Update 1.4, which includes new content such as Wind Pass, The Old Quarry, and new Landsraad missions."
The Polar Cap map, however, is not ready to go. It's disappointing, sure, but it makes sense – especially with self-hosted servers in the works, too. The Polar Cap "is a sizeable survival map that expands the endgame," after all.
As of now, Funcom plans to release it "as a free update late this year" with "new survival mechanics, new locations, new types of resources, new loot, new stuff to craft, and a new standalone storyline" – so it'll be massive. Until then, we'll just have to be patient.
