In Dune: Awakening, sandworms are a powerful, unpredictable force of nature, not a tool under your command. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters use thumpers to summon sandworms, this mechanic is absent from the game.
Image: steamcommunity.com
Sandworms are fully realized NPCs, complete with their own patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game's engine. You can't summon a worm to attack enemy bases. However, actions like moving through the sand or using a thumper might attract a nearby worm's attention – but there's no guarantee.
Riding sandworms, a hallmark of Freman culture in Herbert's novels and the films, won't be a feature in Dune: Awakening. The developers attribute this omission to considerations from the Dune cinematic universe filmmakers.
Future updates might introduce more Fremen-centric content, potentially including sandworm riding. For now, this iconic activity remains uncertain.
Dune: Awakening launches on PC May 20th, with console versions to follow.
