In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms will act as a formidable natural force rather than a tool that players can summon at their convenience. Unlike the iconic scenes from Frank Herbert's novels where characters could call upon these massive creatures using a thumper, this feature won't 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 strategically summon a worm 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, these actions don't guarantee the worm's presence 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 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 iconic activity.
*Dune: Awakening* is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.
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