Summary
Developer Funcom has stated thatDune: Awakeningwill not feature sandworm riding at launch, but it will be added as part of a future update. AlthoughDune: Awakeningis still without a release date, its recent showcase generated plenty of excitement among fans.
Earlier in March,Funcom showed offDune: Awakeningby revealing details about its base building, combat, and Arrakis setting. As most probably expected, the game features sandworms quite heavily, which are automatically drawn to the player after walking on sand without using counters like the Thumper. Many probably hoped forDune: Awakeningto feature sandworm riding as well, but Funcom confirmed at the previous showcase that this would not be included at launch. Now, the developer has provided the reason for the initial lack of this feature.
As reported byTheGamer, Funcom was instructed by Legendary Pictures to not feature the Fremen culture too heavily, asDune: Awakeningwas originally set to release before the debut ofDune: Part Two. In case some fans aren’t familiar, the second movie features the Fremen much more heavily, while they remain somewhat mysterious in the first one. It seems that Legendary Pictures wanted to save the most exciting aspects of the Fremen, like sandworm riding, for the movie. While this plan didn’t work out due to the game’s launch date being pushed well beyondDune: Part Two’s release, Funcom confirmed that sandworm riding and other Fremen-related additions will be seen in a post-launch update.
Dune: Awakening Will Not Have Sandworm Riding At Launch
Players can still take part in certain Fremen practices at launch, likedrinking the blood of fallenDune Awakeningenemiesto stay hydrated. Hydration plays a major role inDune: Awakening’s survival gameplay, as the brutal heat of Arrakis encourages users to remain in the shade by day and travel by night. To counter dehydration, users can harvest water from dew fields or plant matter, in addition to the previously mentioned method.
Funcom shared plenty more details onDune: Awakening’s sandworms. The giant worms are an ever-present threat and come in multiple tiers. The deep desert harbors the most lethal ones, although all sandworms pose a serious risk, which are meant to be avoided rather than defeated.
Based on the trailer andDune: Awakening’s use of Unreal Engine 5, the sandworm pursuits are probably going to create some visceral moments for gamers. Funcom’s Joel Bylos explained that the studio chose Unreal Engine 5 for its graphical fidelity and flexibility, and was even used by cinematographer Greg Fraser to help plan some of the movie’s more complex scenes.
Dune: Awakening
WHERE TO PLAY
Rise from survival to dominance on the most dangerous planet in the universe. Dune: Awakening combines the grit and creativity of sandbox survival games with the social interactivity of a large, persistent multiplayer game to create a unique and ambitious Open World Survival MMO.Awaken The SleeperYour journey begins on Arrakis, with its vast deserts and colossal sandworms. Meet characters from the movies and books as you follow your story across Dune. Discover new allies and enemies and exploit your relationships to uncover the mystery that lies just beneath the surface of the sands.Choose Your IdentityCraft your identity and build your prowess, from deep character creation to skills and abilities taught by specialists like Mentats and Bene Gesserit. Declare your loyalties by what you wear and become known by what you do, whether you are a specialized master or multi-talented adept.Explore Arrakis Like Never BeforeDune: Awakening brings the epic landscapes of Arrakis to vivid life. Explore boundless rolling dunes, ancient underground Ecology Labs, and deep canyons pockmarked with caves, where bandits seek easy prey. Wander the bustling villages before braving the lawless and ever-changing deep desert.
