In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms will act as a formidable natural force rather than controllable tools at players' disposal. Unlike the original novels by Frank Herbert, where characters could summon these colossal creatures using a thumper, this feature will not be available in the game.
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According to the game's developers, sandworms are designed 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 is already in the vicinity, players might attract its attention by moving actively through the sand or using a thumper. Even then, there's no guarantee that the sandworm will appear in the area.
Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as depicted in Herbert's books and the films, will not be possible in *Dune: Awakening*. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune cinematic universe as the reason for excluding this iconic feature. However, they have hinted that post-launch patches might introduce more 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 activity.
*Dune: Awakening* is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.
