In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms take on the role of a formidable natural force, rather than being at the beck and call of players. Unlike the universe crafted by Frank Herbert, where characters could summon these colossal creatures using a thumper, this feature will not be available in the game. Instead, sandworms are treated as NPCs with their own patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game engine.
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Players won't have the option to summon a sandworm near an enemy base to disrupt opponents. However, if a sandworm happens to be in the vicinity, players can attempt to draw its attention by actively moving through the sand or using a thumper. Keep in mind, though, that these actions don't guarantee the worm's appearance in the area.
The iconic act of riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture from Herbert’s novels and the films, won't be available at launch in *Dune: Awakening*. The developers have mentioned that pressure from the filmmakers of the *Dune* cinematic universe led to the decision to omit this feature. However, there's a glimmer of hope for fans; post-launch updates might introduce more elements tied to Freman culture, possibly including worm-riding mechanics. But for now, there’s no assurance that players will get to experience this thrilling activity.
*Dune: Awakening* is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later. Stay tuned for potential updates that could bring more of the rich *Dune* universe into the game.
