In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms will act as a formidable natural force rather than tools that players can summon at their convenience. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters could attract these colossal creatures using a device called a thumper, this feature will not be available in the game.
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The developers have designed sandworms as NPCs with their own patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game's 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 guarantee the worm's presence in the area.
Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture depicted in Herbert's books and brought to life in the Dune cinematic universe, will not be a feature in *Dune: Awakening*. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune movies as the reason for excluding this iconic activity. However, they have hinted that future post-launch updates might introduce additional 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 thrilling aspect of the Dune universe.
*Dune: Awakening* is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.
