Dune: Awakening Devs Detail Sandworm Mechanics

In Dune: Awakening, sandworms will embody a formidable natural force rather than being tools players can summon at their convenience. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters could call upon these creatures using a thumper, this feature will not be available in the game.

Image: steamcommunity.com

According to the 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 happens to be in the vicinity, it's possible to draw its attention by actively moving through the sand or using a thumper. These actions, however, do not guarantee the sandworm's appearance in the area.

Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as depicted in Herbert's books and popularized in media, will not be a feature in Dune: Awakening. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune cinematic universe as the reason for excluding this iconic activity. However, there is potential for future post-launch patches to introduce more content related to Freman culture, which could include worm-riding mechanics. For the time being, there's no guarantee that players will get to experience this revered activity.

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