In Dune: Awakening, sandworms are a powerful, unpredictable force of nature, not tools under your direct control. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters use thumpers to summon them, this mechanic is absent from the game.
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Sandworms are fully realized NPCs, the developers explain, with programmed patrol routes, behaviors, and schedules integrated into the game's engine. You can't summon a worm to attack enemy bases. However, you might attract a sandworm's attention through actions like moving through the sand or using a thumper, though this doesn't guarantee its appearance.
Riding sandworms, a cornerstone of Freman culture and iconic to the Dune universe, is also not a feature in Dune: Awakening. The developers attribute this omission to considerations from the filmmakers behind the Dune cinematic universe.
Future updates may introduce additional Fremen culture content, potentially including worm-riding. However, this remains unconfirmed for now.
Dune: Awakening launches on PC May 20th, with console versions to follow.
