Dune: Awakening Devs Detail Sandworm Dynamics

In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms will act as a formidable natural force rather than mere tools at players' beck and call. Unlike the iconic scenes in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters could summon these massive creatures using a thumper, this feature won't be part of the game. Instead, sandworms are designed as NPCs with their own patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors embedded within the game engine.

Image: steamcommunity.com

Players won't have the ability to deliberately summon a sandworm near an enemy's base to cause chaos. However, should a sandworm be in the vicinity, players can attempt to draw its attention by moving actively through the sand or using a thumper. Keep in mind, these actions don't ensure the worm's presence in the area; it's more of a gamble.

The iconic act of riding sandworms, deeply rooted in Herbert’s books and the Freman culture, will not be featured in *Dune: Awakening*. The developers have attributed the exclusion of this feature to pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune cinematic universe. Nevertheless, there's a glimmer of hope as future post-launch patches might introduce additional content related to Freman culture, possibly including worm-riding mechanics. For now, though, there's no assurance that players will get to experience this legendary activity.

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