Funcom Restructures to Focus Exclusively on Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles

Funcom is entering a new phase of operation, announcing a restructuring process that shifts the studio’s focus entirely toward the ongoing live service development of Dune: Awakening and Conan Exiles. As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, this strategic pivot comes alongside leadership changes and staff reductions.

Leadership Transition

CEO Rui Casais, who has led the Norwegian developer for 11 years and has been with the company for 22 years total, will step down at the end of the year. He will be succeeded by Scott Junior, the current Chief Product Officer who also served as Executive Producer on Dune: Awakening. Junior brings a 25-year tenure at the studio to his new role, stating that his primary goal is to organize the company for the long-term expansion of their two core titles.

Staff Reductions and Strategic Pivot

In a statement provided to GamesIndustry.biz, Casais explained that the transition from the peak production phase of Dune: Awakening into long-term post-launch support requires a leaner organizational structure. “While we would have wanted everyone who helped build Dune: Awakening to continue with us, we cannot sustain the size and structure required during peak development as we move into this next phase,” Casais noted.

Funcom has not disclosed the exact number of employees affected by the layoffs, stating that they will withhold further details until the process has concluded out of respect for those involved. This follows a previous round of layoffs in October 2025, which also included the closure of the Swedish studio The Outsiders.

Why it matters

For players, this news signals that Funcom is doubling down on its “live service” DNA. The company has explicitly committed to expanding and supporting both Conan Exiles and Dune: Awakening for the long haul. With the recent release of the Conan Exiles Enhanced edition, current players can expect a continued cadence of content updates and gameplay refinements for their favorite titles, rather than a diversion of resources toward new, unannounced projects.

While the internal restructuring is significant, the publisher maintains that its primary goal is to foster a close relationship with its communities and ensure the long-term viability of its two flagship games. Fans of the Conan and Dune franchises should look for future announcements regarding roadmap updates as the company settles into this new, focused operational model under Scott Junior.