In *Dune: Awakening*, sandworms are portrayed as formidable natural forces rather than creatures players can control or summon at will. Unlike the iconic scenes in Frank Herbert's novels where characters could attract these colossal beasts using a thumper, this feature won't be part of the game's mechanics.

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The developers have designed sandworms as NPCs with their own set patrol routes, schedules, and behaviors integrated into the game engine. Players cannot strategically summon a sandworm near an enemy base to disrupt their opponents. However, if a sandworm is already in the vicinity, players might draw its attention through actions like moving across the sand or using a thumper. Yet, these actions don't ensure the worm will appear in the desired area.

Riding sandworms, a hallmark of the Freman culture as seen in Herbert's books and the *Dune* cinematic universe, won't 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 is hope for fans as the developers have hinted at potential post-launch patches that could introduce more elements of Freman culture, possibly including worm-riding mechanics. For now, though, there's no guarantee that players will get to experience this thrilling aspect of the *Dune* universe.

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