"Dune: Awakening devs detail sandworm mechanics"

In the upcoming game Dune: Awakening, sandworms will not be at the beck and call of players as they are in Frank Herbert's original novels. Unlike the books where characters could summon these colossal creatures using a thumper, this feature will not be available in the game. Instead, sandworms are treated as natural forces within the game world, functioning as NPCs with predefined patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors.

Image: steamcommunity.com

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, it might be possible to draw its attention by actively moving through the sand or using a thumper. Even then, these actions don't guarantee the worm’s presence in the area.

Another notable deviation from the source material is the absence of sandworm riding, a hallmark of the Freman culture in Herbert’s novels and the Dune cinematic universe. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers as the reason for this omission. However, they've hinted at the possibility of introducing more Freman culture-related content, including worm-riding mechanics, in post-launch patches. 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.