The sands of Arrakis are known for their unforgiving nature and hidden wonders, but one player of Funcom's Dune: Awakening has decided to import a piece of Earth's ancient history into the sci-fi landscape. In a display of creativity that has 'blown the community's mind,' a budding architect within the game has constructed a remarkably detailed replica of the Great Sphinx of Giza as their personal base. Shared on the game's subreddit by user Zeerit, the screenshots showcase the iconic monument standing defiantly against the desert backdrop, proving that player ingenuity is the true 'spice of life' in this survival MMO.

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From Beta Buzz to Building Boom

Dune: Awakening launched in June 2025 into a galaxy already eager for its arrival. The game, which carves its own path in an alternate timeline where Paul Atreides was never born, had already built significant hype. Its final beta, accessible to pre-order customers, saw impressive player concurrency, a clear indicator of the community's appetite. This momentum translated directly to launch day, where the title attracted a staggering 140,000 concurrent players on Steam alone. This strong foundation has fostered a vibrant player base, with many quickly moving beyond mere survival to express themselves through the game's building mechanics.

Zeerit, the architect behind the Sphinx, was inspired by seeing other players share their "awesome futuristic builds." Wanting to contribute something unique, they chose to recreate one of Earth's ancient wonders. The player noted that while many are building forward-looking structures, there's a certain charm in bringing a piece of history to the dunes. The base is reportedly a work in progress, with the front half open for public admiration while the interior is still under construction.

The Perfect Playground for Creative Minds

Funcom's title is rapidly establishing itself as a haven for creative builders, drawing comparisons to games like Minecraft and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom that have strong engineering-focused communities. The building system allows for significant freedom, and players are already sharing clever tricks and shortcuts, like navigating the deadly quicksand more efficiently.

While the game offers several designated and ideal locations for establishing a base—such as Aren's Refuge, Griffin's Reach Trading Post, and the Imperial Research Station—this player's Sphinx looks like it was unearthed from the Egyptian sands and teleported directly to Arrakis. The build has sparked a wave of inspiration, with other Redditors expressing a desire to log in and start constructing pyramids, provided they can find enough flat terrain in the ever-shifting desert.

Addressing the Harsh Realities of Arrakis

However, life on Arrakis isn't all about architectural marvels. The game's intense PvP (Player versus Player) environment, particularly in the dangerous Deep Desert region, has been a point of contention within the community. A common complaint has been an overly fast respawn timer, which some players feel disrupts the balance and tension of survival. Recognizing these concerns, the game's creative director has directly addressed the player base. The development team at Funcom has assured fans that they are actively working on a series of fixes and changes to improve the PvP experience and address other feedback, ensuring the game evolves with its community.

A Community Shaped by Spice and Stone

The creation of the Great Sphinx within Dune: Awakening is more than just a cool build; it's a testament to the game's emergent potential. It highlights key aspects of the 2026 gaming landscape:

  • Player Agency as Content: Games are increasingly platforms for player expression, where community creations become a core part of the experience.

  • The Rise of the Social Builder: The line between survival game and social sandbox is blurring, with building serving as a primary social and creative outlet.

  • Responsive Development: Successful live-service games in 2026 maintain a tight feedback loop with players, as seen with Funcom's direct response to PvP concerns.

This single in-game monument has, in many ways, become a symbol of Dune: Awakening's current state: a game with a strong, creative foundation and a passionate community, while its developers work to refine the more brutal edges of its survival mechanics. As players continue to build, explore, and engage with the world, the future of Arrakis looks to be as much in the hands of its inhabitants as it is in the hands of its creators. Who knows what other earthly—or alien—wonders will rise from the sand next?