Dune: Awakening Devs Detail Sandworm Mechanics

In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms will act as a formidable natural force rather than a tool that players can summon at their convenience. Unlike the iconic scenes from Frank Herbert's novels where characters could call upon these massive creatures using a thumper, this feature won't be available in the game.

Image: steamcommunity.com

According to the game's developers, sandworms are treated as NPCs with their own patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game engine. Players won't have the ability to summon 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 then, there's no guarantee that the worm will appear in the desired area.

Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as depicted in Herbert's books and the popular Dune cinematic universe, will not be possible in *Dune: Awakening*. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune movies as the reason for excluding this feature. However, they have hinted that post-launch patches might introduce more content related to Freman culture, which could potentially include worm-riding mechanics. For now, though, there's no assurance that players will get to experience this iconic activity.

*Dune: Awakening* is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.