The MMOFPS Essentials

When it comes to the MMOFPS genre there are are few things that just have to be done right. If not? Things won't go well. We've decided to list the essential elements to making Persistent Shooters a success. We looked at several online experiences that are top-notch and borrowed elements from each. As the MMOFPS/Persistent Shooter genre is in its infancy, making sure the experience is a great one isn't easy. Here's our list:

Morning Prayer

The Dust 514 mythology expands itself with this initial excerpt written by CCP_DropBear. In this short story we get to see conflict through the eyes of colonists who are being attacked repeatedly by Minmatar clones. They view their respawning attackers the only way one would in reality. AS THE BEAST.

"For all life is holy, and if a man revels in his own death he is become the Beast,
And that man will come before the Beast after death, and stay at his knees forever."
 - Apocryphon, Lost Passages

Morning Prayer

Player Interviews: Jumpman23

We don't know what it is about current and ex-3C members but their interviews always seem polarizing. After Sithis, Jumpman23 is probably the most talked-about member of the group that ended up being the villains of MAG. In our long-overdue interview, we sat down with the infamous SVER supporter about how New Eden is his for the taking, how EVE Corps can't be trusted, about NUKING Corps in DUST and why 3C members joined his clan instead of the other way around.

Capturing the Enemy?

So we got to thinking. While it's accepted that most games that include warfare are take no prisoners, What if you're the sort that likes to sit your enemy in a dark, dusty cell and feed him outdated rations. If you so choose, can you capture the enemy in Dust 514?

It's a valid question. While not many corps will have the ISK necessary to house and feed the defeated, what about those with backing from wealthy and established EVE Corps? While we're sure the enemy would prefer to die and respawn in a ready-made clone, what if he can't because he's in chains instead waiting to mine the planets surface as slave labor?

food for thought.

Player Interviews: Leithery of the DBD

Our next interviewee is Leithery from the Deadly Blue Dots. In this in-depth interview he gives us his opinion on how CCP can keep online populations steady, why false bravado might not be such a good idea, How not even a hi-sec hole can protect Plymco Pilgrim and BHD from his wrath, and why Players > Forum Gangsters.

Suggestion: Binoculars

A few members of our team laughed at us when we first thought of the idea to add binoculars to the game saying "won't you already have that with a scope?" but this is different. Anyone who's ever wanted to ability to look over the battlefield and see where the enemy is located will tell you that having a binocular feature/perk is probably a good idea. This is especially true for leaders, While having a close-quarters weapon may make more sense for some, our recon specialists and officers may actually have a realistic use for being over to look over the terrain and ascertain where the enemy is setup or flanking from.

Player Interviews: EnglishSnake

EnglishSnake, some would call him a MAG pioneer in the art of getting massive groups of people to organize for one goal. His Clan of Valor (=V=) was a perfect example of how many individuals can unite for a single purpose. We have confirmed that he is currently inside EVE and that he is certainly among those making the exodus to Dust. Keep reading for the rest of our interview.

The House of Kahn

We found this DUST fiction on another site and thought it was well written and pretty interesting. Use the link below to read the full version.

The House of Kahn

Has a Dust Alliance Incurred the Wrath of GoonSwarm?

Apparently forces are being mobilized before the Dust has even been released that threaten to bring an Alliance to its knees early. Citing "lack of respect for proper protocol and not acknowledging their superiors." An officer in the GoonFleet who goes by the moniker of Michael Elliot (he declined to give us his EVE title) has singled out a fledgling alliance as "an example of what happens to those who lack humility as they prepare to enter New Eden."

When we pressed him for the name of the alliance the GS Officer declined to give us specifics only saying that "Those about to be Vanquished KNOW who they are." More information on this story as it becomes available.

Stranded: Part 8

Recently, Part 8 of the wonderful Dust 514 "Stranded" series was released. Our most recent peek into the Dust-verse follows Berlin Ansacre and his fellow clones Krim, Gastun and Cala as they come face-to-face with their expendability, and more bloodshed and Ansacre continues to be haunted by the mysterious, impervious shadow.

Stranded Part 8

Dust Mythos Episode 1: The New Eden Address

Hello New Eden.

I am a spy.

Are you ready for Dust Mythos?

STRANDED is not the only Dust 514 Mythology that exists. More stories are coming. More tales of mass-produced, expendable clones who have sold their souls for immortality and the endless pursuit of ISK and spilled blood are well on their way. More legends of battlefield warriors with no peer save mighty Achilles himself, are not far away. More stories of egomaniacal puppetmasters drunk from currency who pull the strings of the New Eden herself, will soon be here. Prepare yourself...Soon you will know why all things return to DUST.

"From Dust to Dust"

Player Interviews: EVE's Garr Earthbander

Garr Earthbender. EVE Pilot. Future Dust Merc. Known Plotter and schemer. Keep reading for his views on the future of EVE/DUST, Why he favors Total War and how to avoid "Fail Fitting."

We're Recruiting

That's right,the Dusters Blog is recruiting. We're looking for three new contributors. Ever thought about working with us? What we do is pretty simple, among other things we post game info, speculate about Dust 514, introduce you to the people who play and post fan suggestions and impressions on our blog. We'd even like to publish some great user fiction similar to the "Standed" series. Interested? GREAT. Send us an email at magww@live.com expressing your interest and we'll "see what you got" please keep in mind that what we do we do for fun, it's on a volunteer basis. But we promise not to fire you when the big bucks start rolling in :)

New Interviews & Preview

Another DUST 514 Preview became available recently, courtesy of PSX Extreme. As did two interviews: one with producer Thomas Farrer and another from PAX 2011 (Dust talk starts at about the 7:30 mark) ENJOY.

Preview 1
Thomas Farrer Interview
PAX 2011 Interview

Player Interviews: Broadcastorm

Our most recent interviewee comes to us from Serbia. Introducing: Broadcastorm

He's an EVE player, has confirmed he's a future DUST Merc and

he also is the brains behind: http://dust514base.blogspot.com/ 

Keep reading for details.