Dune Awakening is so close you can almost taste the spice. If you got the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition, you’re diving in two days early. Waiting for the full launch on June 10? Hang in there, it’s almost go-time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the Dune universe or someone who just loves surviving in beautiful, brutal sandboxes, now’s the perfect time to start asking: who are you going to be on Arrakis? Personally, I love messing around with character creators, especially when I can skip the 2-hour sculpting session and still end up looking cool (or cursed). I found this awesome set of 20 presets (custom character designs) by Drybear Gamers, and yep, they’re ready to download and use. I’ve linked all the JSON files below so you can jump right in without the stress.
Top 20 Custom Character Designs (with Import Files!)
In case you missed it, Funcom dropped the full Dune: Awakening Character Creation Workshop as a free demo on Steam, and you don’t even need to own the game to try it. Just head to the store page, hit Download Demo, and you’re in. It’s the same tool we’ll all be using at launch, perfect for messing around, saving your own creations, or importing ones from the community.
These 20 presets I’m sharing cover everything from traditional beauties to unhinged spice addicts, buff gladiators, glam icons, and even… a sort-of Steve Buscemi (Drybear says “Sorry, the sliders fought back”). Just drop the .json file into your Documents > Dune Awakening folder, load up the creator, and click Import.
Just A Reminder Before You Download the Presets
I’ll drop the download link down below along with the tutorial, but do yourself a favor, scroll through the designs first. You don’t want to download 20 faces only to realize they’re not your vibe (unless you really wanted a slightly cursed desert Steve Buscemi). Just saying, look before you import.
Now, I’ll be honest, after checking, the creator has its limits. Body types are pretty narrow, tattoos are minimal, and the age slider maxes out somewhere around “I’ve had a long day.” But I’m sure Drybear worked with what we’ve got to make each one feel fun, playable, and hopefully inspiring, whether you’re going full RP or PvP sweat mode.
Alright, let’s dive into the designs and see who you might want to bring to life on Arrakis.
Character #1: Classic Beauty
The go-to glam look. Simple, elegant, great in cutscenes. She’s your standard cover girl, clean lines, good lighting angles, and maybe a slight stealth advantage thanks to her small frame (if that’s a thing). Classic never goes out of style.
And it’s a good reminder: lighting makes a huge difference in how your character looks. Whether you’re talking to NPCs, flying in an ornithopter, or exploring a dungeon, the vibe changes based on the light, and that’s part of what makes character creation fun.
Character #2: The Grizzled Fighter
Old, tired, and still punching. Scarred up, tied-back hair, light eyes that cut through sandstorms. A Drybear OG, he’s been in more games than I care to count. He’s built to look experienced, strong jawline, tired eyes, that “seen some stuff” vibe.
If you want someone that looks like they’ve fought a sandworm with their bare hands, this is the one. Also, those light eyes pop beautifully in sunlit desert scenes. And sure, you’ll wear armor most of the time, but when it’s off? He looks legit.
Character #3: The Necro-Mystic
This one’s a little weird, in a good way. Kind of necromancer-meets-spider-queen energy. Drybear went with a chin tattoo and a bold lipstick circle combo that just screams “don’t mess with me.” Her look leans into the sinister and sleek, like she stepped out of a Harkonnen ritual chamber. Especially in darker environments, her features take on this eerie, alien elegance that I really love.
Character #4: Prometheus-Inspired
Okay, now we’re getting weirder. Drybear says he wanted a character that felt inhuman, something like Prometheus meets Orphan of Kos. No eyebrows, elongated neck, minimalist everything. There’s a weirdly haunting aesthetic here, like he’s hiding something dark. Definitely a great Harkonnen option if you want to lean into the creepy, mysterious archetype.
Character #5: Red-Haired Rebel
Somehow, this one gave me major Zoe Saldaña meets Dune vibes. She’s got golden eyes, bold lip markings, and fiery red hair, super striking. If you like conventionally attractive characters with a little punch, this is the one. She looks incredible in low light, too, like her eyes actually glow. Perfect for cutscenes and those intense NPC conversations.
Character #6: Dr. Manhattan
Okay, so we can’t do blue skin, but here’s the closest we can get. Drybear used the forehead tattoo option and gave him glowing white eyes to match that ethereal, all-powerful vibe. If you want to RP as a cosmic observer or a silent powerhouse, this is probably as close as you can get to a Dune-ified Dr. Manhattan.
Character #7: Mad Max Junkie
This one is just chaotic in the best way. Wild features, war paint-style lipstick across the mouth, and a bone structure that screams “I’ve seen the end of the world, and I liked it.” Totally unhinged and totally awesome. She’s got that I dare you to fight me look in her eyes. Honestly, she might be my favorite just because she’s so different.
Character #8: The Veteran
The idea here was your classic battle-hardened veteran, stranded on Arrakis for who-knows-what reason. He’s exhausted, over everyone’s nonsense, but when it’s go-time, he still gets the job done. Drybear really pushed the limits of how old the character creator would go. Unfortunately, this is pretty much the max when it comes to age, weathering, and blemishes.
Character #9: Warrior Princess
Mix of Xena, Wonder Woman, maybe even a bit of Wakanda or “death by snoo snoo”. Basically, a woman raised in combat, with battle skills that speak for themselves. There are tattoos to represent her tribe or warrior clan, though I really wish the game gave us more marking and tattoo options. She’s rocking the classic warrior top knot, and you can always change her hair or makeup to suit your vibe. But the core idea is someone born into the fight, and proud of it.
Character #10: The Modern Conquistador
A sort of Spanish conquistador concept. He didn’t land exactly there, but I think he turned out pretty cool. The goal was a simple yet bold look, and even though that tattoo has a wild outline, the color was toned down to keep it from being too loud. Overall, he’s got this clean, cultured vibe with just enough edge to be interesting.
Character #11: The Oldest One
Drybear tried making the oldest-looking character he could… and, well, it still doesn’t quite go all the way. He had someone like Genkai from Yu Yu Hakusho in mind, short, cranky, and absolutely done with everyone’s crap. She’s tiny but fierce, and she clearly doesn’t have time for the Reverend Mother’s drama. Even though the tools are limited, I think she carries that seasoned, no-nonsense vibe really well.
Character #12: The Gym Bro
The classic gym rat. He’s got the genetics, the macros, and the whey protein to match. He’s the type that lives to pick up heavy things and put them back down. Strong jawline, tight haircut, maxed-out muscle definition, if you want that “built” look, this guy’s your template. Of course, you can tweak it however you want, but the core vibe is definitely muscle over everything.
Character #13: The Fashionista
Think: Devil Wears Prada, but sci-fi. She’s angular, elegant, and clearly knows fashion is a lifestyle. With that sleek flapper-style bob, she’d fit right into any high-end fashion film, or maybe running a ruthless interstellar couture empire. Either way, she screams, “It’s called fashion, darling. Look it up.”
Character #14: Femboy Design
This character has a lean ectomorph body type, tall, thin, and delicate features. Honestly, depending on the angle, he sometimes gives off a bit of a Zuckerberg vibe (weird, I know). His surprised-looking eyes and soft bone structure give him a unique look. He’s definitely got a more unconventional, modern beauty to him.
Character #15: Fallout Girl Next Door
Looks like walked straight out of Fallout. Maybe it’s the hyper-styled, slicked-back hair, or just the overall aesthetic, but she gives off serious Vault dweller energy. Still, if you’re looking for a character with charm, retro vibes, and that “I’m probably carrying a Nuka-Cola” look, this is it.
Character #16: Steve Buscemi (Kinda)
Messy hair, unique jawline, big blue eyes, he’s got that early-career Steve energy. Not 1:1, but if you squint hard and believe in chaos, he’s there.
Character #17: Goth Queen
Dark, dramatic, Bene Gesserit realness. A little spooky, very fierce. Tattoo options are limited, sadly, but she still turned out like someone who listens to synthwave and judges your spice intake.
Character #18: Shrek (Don’t Ask)
Here’s Drybear’s attempt at Shrek. He tried blending ogre and human forms into something vaguely familiar. Add Prince Charming hair to lean more human. Was this necessary? No. Is it funny? Absolutely.
Character #19: Muscle Mommy
Maxed muscle sliders, strong features, top knot, and zero time for nonsense. Basically the female gym bro, but with eyeliner and judgment in her eyes. She could bench a sandworm.
Character #20: Nicolas Cage (Sort Of)
Started as Nic Cage, ended up Finnish. Has a big forehead (like mine lol) and a scalp tattoo that weirdly works. He’s aging, mysterious, and probably knows where the spice is buried.
How to Import Presets & Download Link (Custom Character Designs)
- Download the ZIP file: Custom Character Designs (Presets) by Drybear Gamers
- Navigate to:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Dune Awakening - Drop the
.jsonfile(s) into that folder. - Open the demo or the full game’s character creator.
- Click Import, select the preset, and customize from there.
You’ll still need to assign a backstory, homeworld, and class after import, but everything else will be set up. Perfect for a head start when the game goes live.
Wrap-Up
That’s it, 20 custom character designs in Dune: Awakening, built to inspire, entertain, or just plain weird you out. Whether you plan on roleplaying a noble Fremen leader, a Harkonnen merc, or… Shrek in a stillsuit, I hope these presets give you a head start or a creative spark.
Let me know in the comments which one’s your favorite (or which one scarred you emotionally). And if you end up customizing or building off these presets, feel free to share them back with the community. More weird and wonderful faces = better immersion for everyone.
Dune: Awakening is just days away from launch, and if you’re still on the fence about which class to roll with, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I put together a complete class guide in Dune: Awakening to help you find the perfect fit for your journey on Arrakis.
