Even in the beta of Dune: Awakening, it is clear that the sandworms are one of the highlights of the survival MMO by Funcom. Anyone who encounters such an impressive “Shai-Hulud” will surely not forget it.
What kind of beta is this? The current testing phase of Dune: Awakening has been running on Steam since May 9, 2025, and runs until May 12, 2025 (at 23:59 CEST). To get an invitation, one could request access through Valve’s platform or catch the official Twitch event from Funcom on May 10. Additionally, all pre-order customers of the survival MMO are allowed to play.
During the beta weekend, you can expect about 20 to 25 hours of gameplay, during which you can experience the first act of the story and explore three regions of the game. You will fight for your survival, build shelter and gadgets, and confront the local enemies.
The story trailer for Dune Awakening:
The encounter with the Shai-Hulud
What about the sandworms? You will encounter them very early in the game, which should make it clear to everyone that it is unwise to take a walk on open desert plains without necessity. However, sometimes you will have to take the risk – for example, if a quest sends you to a remote mountain region.
Then you should either move really quickly (through skills or a bike) or move very cautiously – with the latter option, however, heat and thirst will eventually become a problem for you.
If you move too loudly over the sand, you will draw the attention of a sandworm, which the interface will accompany with a corresponding warning signal. The attacks of the creatures come in two parts: first, they burst vertically out of the ground upwards, then they race with their mouths open towards their victim.
What is it like to encounter a sandworm? Since they are really large and incredibly fast, it is not easy to escape a worm. This is demonstrated, for example, by a recording of Sekhen on Reddit, who can barely dodge the charging Shai-Hulud while it gets another player.
Another video from asmallman on Reddit shows that you should also be careful where you park your bike.
PikeUK, on the other hand, was so unfortunate to be hit by a sandworm bursting from the ground that he ended up spinning like a top, and that on his head (via Reddit).
What happens if you get caught? MyMMO editor Benedict Grothaus has already been able to play Dune: Awakening live with the developers in Oslo and was also eaten by a worm at the end of his session. His result: the entire inventory as well as the equipment are gone.
According to MMO YouTuber Entenburg (via YouTube), in that case, you end up with a special NPC who can at least once bring you back with a sand bike, allowing you to return to base relatively safely to re-equip. However, the penalty here is still harsher than in a normal death, where you can recover the lost equipment.
How does the community react to sandworm encounters?
- balltongueee writes on Reddit: “To be honest, this worm is so huge. It is terrifying to traverse the desert or just to be on it.”
- Developer Funcom_Ignasis jokes on Reddit: “Praise be Schadenfreude Hulud.”
- Crimsonyx has also been caught, via Reddit: “Has anyone else been chased by one and then eaten by another? I had my camera pointing behind me to check, and then my buddy and I ran straight into another worm!”
One of the big highlights in the Dune universe are the giant sandworms that roam the planet Arrakis. But they are more than just gigantic animals, even if that is not evident in the films. They are essential for the infrastructure of the universe. You can learn more about this here: Everyone knows the sandworms from Dune, but few know what they really are
