Funcom has officially disabled Steam Family Sharing for Dune: Awakening as part of its ongoing efforts to address cheating within the game. The move is the latest in a series of steps aimed at preserving balance and fairness in the new MMO survival title set in the Dune universe.
Why the Feature Was Disabled
In an update posted on the game’s official Steam page, the Dune: Awakening development team explained that the decision was made to curb the abuse of the Steam Family Sharing feature. Players were reportedly exploiting the system to gain unfair advantages, undermining the core gameplay experience.
While the developers did not provide full details on how the feature was being abused, community speculation suggests that players were using alternate accounts—enabled by Family Sharing—to access exclusive resources such as:
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Landsraad vendors on opposing faction servers,
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Additional fiefs and vehicles, beyond the limits of a single character.
These exploits could seriously disrupt the in-game economy and faction dynamics.
“We understand this impacts those who use Family Sharing legitimately, and we sincerely apologize,” said the developers. “However, this is a necessary step to preserve the health of the game.”
There is currently no estimated timeline for when—or if—Family Sharing will return to Dune: Awakening.
About Dune: Awakening
Released on June 10, Dune: Awakening brings players into the perilous deserts of Arrakis, the legendary planet from Frank Herbert’s science fiction series. The game blends MMO and survival elements, offering a dynamic open world where players:
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Customize characters and abilities,
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Encounter iconic figures from the Dune books and films,
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Battle environmental hazards and rival factions,
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Compete for dominance on the harshest world in the universe.
The disabling of Family Sharing reflects Funcom’s commitment to maintaining competitive fairness, especially during the early life of the game when systems are still being balanced and exploited vulnerabilities are being patched.
What’s Next?
As Dune: Awakening continues to evolve, Funcom is expected to roll out additional updates to improve player experience and address ongoing feedback. Players interested in the future of Steam Family Sharing support should monitor the official game forums and news feed for updates.
The removal of Steam Family Sharing in Dune: Awakening may be disappointing for some, but it’s a clear sign that the developers are taking cheating seriously. As the game grows, these types of adjustments are vital to ensuring a fair and immersive journey across Arrakis.