Dune: Awakening Devs Detail Sandworm Mechanics

In Dune: Awakening, sandworms will play a pivotal role as a natural force within the game environment, rather than being tools at the players' beck and call. Unlike the novels by Frank Herbert, where characters could summon these colossal creatures using a device called a thumper, this feature won't be present in the game. Instead, 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 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. It's important to note that these actions do not guarantee the worm's appearance in the area.

Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as depicted in Herbert's books and the popular Dune cinematic universe, will not be available in Dune: Awakening. The developers have cited pressure from the filmmakers behind the Dune movies as the reason for excluding this iconic feature. However, there's a glimmer of hope for fans of the Freman culture, as post-launch patches might introduce additional content related to it, potentially including worm-riding mechanics. For now, though, there's no assurance that players will get to experience this thrilling activity.

Image: steamcommunity.com

Dune: Awakening is set to launch on PC on May 20th, with console versions to follow later.