In Dune: Awakening, sandworms will embody a formidable natural force, rather than being at the beck and call of players. Unlike the original works of Frank Herbert, where characters utilized a thumper to summon these majestic creatures, this feature will not be available in the game.
Image: steamcommunity.com
The developers have crafted sandworms as NPCs with meticulously designed patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game engine. Players will not have the option to summon a sandworm near an enemy base to disrupt their opponents. However, should a sandworm be in the vicinity, players can attempt to draw its attention by moving actively across the sand or using a thumper. Keep in mind, these actions do not ensure the worm's presence in the area.
The iconic act of riding sandworms, deeply rooted in Herbert's novels and the Freman culture, will not be a part of Dune: Awakening. The decision to exclude this feature stems from pressure by the filmmakers of the Dune cinematic universe. Nonetheless, future post-launch updates might bring additional content related to Freman culture, possibly including the much-anticipated worm-riding mechanics. As it stands, there's no assurance that players will get to engage in this legendary activity.
Dune: Awakening is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow subsequently.
