Explore Dune's Arrakis in Starfield: Modder Brings Iconic Sandworms to Life

A dedicated Starfield player is developing a mod called "Dune - Project Arrakis," which aims to bring the iconic sandworms from the Dune universe into the game. This ambitious mod will replace Starfield's planet McClure 3 in the McClure System with Arrakis, the famous desert planet from Dune.

Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios' first new universe in over 25 years, is set in the 24th century and allows players to explore a vast galaxy with over 1,000 planets. The game features deep character customization, opportunities to align with different factions, and space battles, all within Bethesda's signature open-world experience. Despite the extensive content in Starfield, the modding community continues to expand and enhance the game with new features.

The "Dune - Project Arrakis" mod is being developed by a modder known as questionthis on Nexus Mods. This mod transforms Starfield's planet McClure 3 into Arrakis, the desert world from Dune. In a recent Reddit update, questionthis revealed an exciting addition to the mod: massive sandworms that will roam the desert and even burrow underground to chase players. While the early versions of these sandworms have some rough edges, with certain attacks looking awkward and some aspects not fully polished, the modder is actively working on improvements.

Starfield Modder Adds Dune's Sandworms to the Game

Creating these enormous worms has been a challenging task for questionthis. One significant issue is the transparency problem, stemming from the use of a Starfield creature model with a see-through layer of skin, resulting in visual glitches. The modder is diligently working to resolve these issues, striving to perfect the sandworms' appearance while ensuring the hitboxes function correctly.

The sandworms are just one element of the "Dune - Project Arrakis" mod. The mod also introduces custom points of interest, player homes, new mineable and craftable materials, and new creatures and factions inspired by the Dune universe. Players can explore settlements, meet new NPCs, and embark on quests on Arrakis. The modded version of the planet will feature 60% sandy desert, inhabited by sandworms, 20% rocky hills, a hot climate, a breathable atmosphere, and occasional sandstorms.

The Starfield modding community has been active since the game's release in September 2023, and "Dune - Project Arrakis" is another testament to what this vibrant community can achieve, allowing players to explore one of sci-fi’s most iconic worlds within Starfield in an exciting and immersive way.