Dune Awakening PTS Update Adds Anti-Griefing Ornithopter Collisions and Free Vehicle Testing

Funcom takes action against aerial griefing tactics in its survival MMO by introducing collision-based countermeasures and giving players free ornithopters on the Public Test Server (PTS).

Dune: Awakening, the ambitious open-world survival MMO set in the harsh deserts of Arrakis, is stepping up its fight against player griefing. In the latest PTS update (v1.1.20.0), Funcom has introduced a brand-new anti-griefing mechanic for ornithopters and is inviting players to participate in a mass test by offering free scout, assault, and carrier ornithopters.

This strategic move not only helps address a growing problem in the community but also offers a sneak peek at some significant quality-of-life improvements expected in the live version soon. Here's a breakdown of what’s changing and why it matters.

Why Ornithopter Griefing Became a Problem

In Dune: Awakening, ornithopters are vital aerial vehicles used for transportation, exploration, and combat. However, over the past few weeks, players discovered that ornithopters—especially the massive carrier variants—could be used as tools of harassment. By deliberately landing on top of other players’ vehicles or bodies, griefers could immobilize or trap their targets. Some even used this tactic to lure sandworms into protected zones, causing chaos.

The result? Frustrated players across both PvE and PvP servers, many of whom reported being pinned down or sandworm-baited by trolls exploiting the flight system.

Funcom has responded quickly with a solution: a new collision impulse system that causes ornithopters to bounce off each other on contact, significantly reducing the ability to grief.

New Collision Mechanic: How It Works

The anti-griefing update introduces a physics-based impulse effect for all ornithopter collisions. When two flying vehicles now come into contact—whether mid-air or upon landing—the system will apply a bounce or push force, forcing separation between them.

This makes it nearly impossible to:

• Pin other players with a carrier or assault ornithopter

• Block access to vehicles or storage containers

• Stack ornithopters to block resource nodes or crafting hubs

The mechanic is currently being mass-tested on the PTS, where players are given free access to multiple ornithopter types to help stress-test the system.

How to Get Free Ornithopters on the PTS

If you want to try out the new system, jump onto the Public Test Server. Upon logging in, players will automatically receive:

• A Scout Ornithopter – nimble and fast for quick travel

• An Assault Ornithopter – ideal for combat testing

• A Carrier Ornithopter – large and formerly a favorite of griefers

Funcom hopes that by providing these for free, a larger pool of players will participate in aerial combat, collisions, and crash scenarios, ensuring that the new mechanic is balanced before it hits the live servers. 
(Read more about How to Choose the Right Ornithopter in Dune Awakening)

Sandworm Collisions Now Deadly

Another major change coming with this PTS update is how sandworms interact with vehicles. Previously, skilled (or reckless) players could attempt to “ride” sandworms or hover just over them for thrill or strategic positioning. That’s no longer the case.

Now, contact with sandworms during their animation phase will result in instant death or complete vehicle destruction. This change is meant to eliminate exploits where players used sandworms to grief others or avoid combat using worm mechanics.

Additional Quality-of-Life Improvements

While the anti-griefing measures are the headline feature, this patch includes several useful quality-of-life (QoL) upgrades that players will appreciate:

Item Search Filters

Players can now search more efficiently in the Exchange UI, filtering items by type, rarity, or keyword.

“Deposit All” Buttons

Water and blood deposits now include a one-click button to instantly offload all stored fluids into appropriate storage containers.

Improved Base Building

Updates to the building system include easier snapping, smoother elevation tools, and better placement for defensive structures.

Bug Fixes & Polish

Numerous minor bugs have been resolved, particularly involving UI lag, base rendering issues, and vehicle pathfinding.

When Will This Go Live?

If testing goes smoothly, patch 1.1.20.0 is expected to release to live servers around August 11 or 12, 2025. That gives Funcom just under two weeks of player feedback and balance adjustments.

The timing is crucial: as Dune: Awakening inches closer to full release, maintaining a fun and fair experience is essential for both veteran players and newcomers jumping in during seasonal events or promotional weekends.

Player Reactions So Far

Early feedback from PTS participants has been mostly positive. Many players on Reddit and the official Discord praised the impulse collision system, saying it immediately reduced griefing in PvE zones.

However, some concerns remain. A few testers noted that the collision impulse can feel jarring when in tight spaces or near bases. Others asked for fine-tuning of the bounce angles to prevent players from being accidentally flung into danger zones.

Funcom developers have acknowledged this and are actively monitoring player reports for further adjustment before the live release.

Why This Matters for Dune: Awakening’s Future

Dune: Awakening is still in its early stages of open development, and how Funcom handles community issues now sets the tone for its long-term success. By proactively addressing griefing behavior and involving the player base in testing, the studio is showing a willingness to adapt—and fast.

Griefing is a common challenge in open-world sandbox games, especially those with PvP elements. The introduction of the ornithopter anti-griefing mechanic is a bold step that could become a model for other MMOs with similar issues.

Plus, giving players free tools on the PTS is a smart way to reward participation and gather mass data in a short time window.

Final Thoughts

The latest PTS update for Dune: Awakening brings a welcome fix to one of the game’s most frustrating issues: ornithopter griefing. With new physics-based collisions, better QoL features, and even sandworm death penalties, Funcom is showing that it listens to its community and is actively improving the game’s core systems.

If you want to test the changes for yourself, hop into the PTS and claim your free ornithopters. Help shape the future of Dune: Awakening—and make Arrakis a little less toxic for everyone.