In Dune: Awakening, sandworms will embody a natural force rather than controllable tools at players' disposal. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters could summon these giant creatures using a thumper, this feature is absent from the game. Sandworms are designed as NPCs with distinct patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game engine.
Players won't have the ability to call upon a sandworm near an enemy base to disrupt their opponents. However, if a sandworm is already in the vicinity, players might attract its attention by moving actively through the sand or using a thumper. Even so, these actions do not ensure the worm's presence in the area.
Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as depicted in Herbert's books and the films, will not be available in Dune: Awakening. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune cinematic universe as the reason for excluding this feature. However, future post-launch patches might introduce additional content related to Freman culture, possibly including worm-riding mechanics. As of now, there's no guarantee that players will get to engage in this iconic activity.
Image: steamcommunity.com
Dune: Awakening is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.
