Sandworms Unleashed: Dune: Awakening Devs Dive Into Epic Encounters

Dune: Awakening's sandworms: a force of nature, not a player's tool. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, players cannot summon sandworms at will using a thumper. This mechanic is absent from the game.

Image: steamcommunity.com

Sandworms are integrated NPCs with programmed patrol routes and behaviors. While you can't summon them to attack opponents, actions like moving through the sand or using a thumper might attract their attention. However, this is not a guaranteed method.

Riding sandworms, a key element of Freman culture in the books, is also unavailable in Dune: Awakening at launch. The developers attribute this omission to considerations from the Dune film franchise.

Future updates might introduce additional Freman content, potentially including sandworm riding. However, this is not currently confirmed.

Dune: Awakening releases on PC May 20th, with console versions to follow.