In Dune: Awakening, sandworms are a force of nature, not player-controlled tools. Unlike in Frank Herbert's novels, where characters use thumpers to summon them, this mechanic is absent.

Image: steamcommunity.com

Sandworms are NPCs with programmed patrol routes and behaviors, according to the developers. You can't summon a worm to attack enemies. However, actions like moving through the sand or using a thumper might attract a nearby worm, but there's no guarantee.

Riding sandworms, a staple of Freman culture in the books and films, is also unavailable in Dune: Awakening. The developers attribute this omission to considerations from the Dune film franchise.

Future updates might add more Freman content, potentially including worm riding, but this isn't confirmed. For now, this iconic activity remains unavailable.

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