AdventureQuest 3D

VS

Dune: Awakening

AdventureQuest 3D is a cross-platform MMORPG launched in 2016 by Artix Entertainment. While it started with a solid player base thanks to the nostalgia and success of the AdventureQuest brand, Artix is a small indie studio with a niche audience. Eight years post-launch, active player numbers have declined, but the game's persistent updates keep a modest, loyal community engaged. The game is niche but still fits classic MMO criteria with its persistent world and multiplayer elements.

As of late August 2025, Dune: Awakening had approximately 14,000 concurrent players, reflecting a significant decline from its peak of over 189,000 concurrent players shortly after launch in June 2025. This decrease is attributed to factors such as player burnout, game design issues, and technical problems. Despite these challenges, the developers remain optimistic, citing strong player retention and a 10-year development roadmap that includes plans to explore new planets and regions within the Dune universe. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/mmo/dune-awakening-dev-says-player-retention-has-been-extremely-good-and-the-mmos-10-year-plan-still-has-so-much-to-pull-from-in-the-lore-well-go-to-new-planets-eventually/?utm_source=openai))