Marketing is Key

The other day we were sort-of lamenting the fact that Dust 514 won't be multi-platform (only because that guarantees sales, mind you) but we got to thinking about what else is really important: How SONY has to hit a homerun marketing Dust 514 to the right people. This article on Sony's lackluster marketing hit the nail on the head. As much as we think that Kevin Butler is extremely effective marketing casual, niche games to much of Sony's target audience, we simply don't feel like he would be the right man for the job.

Advert: The Seraphim Initiative

In the coming months, an Eve and Dust 514 corporation with solid foundations that is willing and prepared to hit the ground running will be difficult to find and access. As one of the online community's most future oriented and capable corporations to full spectrum warfare on the Eve and Dust 514 platform, Seraphim Initiative serves as the foremost military styled corporation catering to the specific combined arms needs of our clients.

CCP killing off Campers?

One of the most intriguing things I have heard so far in Dust 514 is the ambitious approach CCP has taken towards the environments. With maps touted to be an enormous 5km squared in size there will be plenty of battlefield to fight over, but this isn’t what excites me.

Advert: Information Broker Extraordinaire

Our first advertisement didn't take long at all. We'll let Information Broker Matticus Astra of EVE take it from here.

Greeting future Dust Mercenary Corporations! I am Matticus Astra and I deal in information. I pay for it, trade it and sell it on a level unseen in New Eden. While the value of information may not be immediately obvious to you, it will be very soon. New Eden can be a cruel and cold place to those unfamiliar with its intricacies and politics. Intel is one of the many resources that EVE cannot do without and with my network of spies, informants and sources inside most of the major alliances, corporations and even the CSM, I am the person you come to for who's vulnerable, who's planning what, who can be bought, sold and where the weaknesses and strengths inside every organization exist. I can also make introductions to some of the most powerful people in New Eden a reality. The costs of my services vary from the standard coin of ISK, to simple favors when called upon. Email me here to inquire about how we may be of use to each other.

I look forward to hearing from you.

GNN maintains no relationship with third party advertisers that may appear on this blog. Reference to or the appearance of any particular service or trademark is not controlled by GNN and does not constitute or imply our association, endorsement or recommendation.

Dusters Ad Services

We'd like to tell our readers about a new service that we now offer. With the momentum created by the beta announcement, we've gotten countless emails from EVE and future Dust Corps anxious to advertise their services, and in need of a place to find those willing to do the work they need done. We've decided to provide that, FOR FREE.

Dust 514 Community Manager Interview

Dust 514's new Community Manager CCP_CmdrWang was nice enough to sit down with Drizzcat of newedenradio.com for a few questions many fans of the forthcoming MMO have had for some time. We learn some great things regarding multiple chat channels, the possibility of Keyboard and Mouse for our PC Brethren and a bit regarding the use of Alt Accounts for spying. All in all, a good read. Use the link below for the full interview.

Interview

Sign Up for the Dust Beta!

On your mark, get set, GO!


Got an EVE Online Account? You can now sign up for the Dust 514 beta. While participation is NOT guaranteed, you will be thrown into the "consideration" pool. We've already had a few questions regarding signing up now for 14-day trials or with the buddy system and still being eligible. We've already asked Dust new Community Manager about this on Twitter. Hopefully he'll be able to clarify that as soon as possible.


Good Luck!
http://www.eveonline.com/devblog.asp?a=blog&nbid=3358

UPDATE: His response.

CCP_CmdrWang CCP_CmdrWang

@NewEdenGNN not sure if it will work for trial accounts, but give it a go.

2 minutes ago
UPDATE 2: Paying Accounts only. Cmdr Wang was trying to make a funny. 

Mars Industries "War on Your Terms"

 "The saddest part is that with of all of these breakthroughs in science, the majority of them were used for one thing: WAR. We could have seen Universal Power Sources, Wave Technology and countless advances in Transport and Health Science. Instead, we saw the implementation of creative and varied ways to kill others and take what was theirs. Men can be such horrible, evil things."--Amarr Philosopher

What Should a Web-App do?

With a game that provides as much depth as Dust 514 promises to, it's almost necessary to push the envelope with features that will set a new standard for multiplayer. We've seen some of the web-apps for popular games like BF3 and COD and were left feeling like there was something missing. Sure, they add to the game slightly, but they don't allow us to truly interact with the game on any level whatsoever. They simply aren't a necessity and don't truly enhance your game experience. A truly integral web-app gives us the ability to make changes to our characters and corporations despite not being logged onto our PS3. That is the NEW standard.

Should MAG Be Free-to-Play?

After Sony Online Entertainment made the decision to make DC Universe Online free-to-play (FtP) and abandoned their subscription model they have seen a mammoth 700% increase in revenue from what was a struggling game. This begs the question, should MAG follow a similar course and offer the downloadable version of the game for free on the PSN?

Copy of A Psycho: Part 3, WAR GODS

Part 1| Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Upon entering the meeting room of the Maraikhom Alliance’s starbase, the contrast could not be greater. While the rest of the facility has colorful, brightly lit hallways, the room I’m stepping into is dark, cold, and has an odd coziness to it. The massive table in the middle is surrounded with the inhabitants of various organizations, each one protruding a dark shadow along the walls like a children story gone hideously wrong.

Dev Blog: Dropsuits!

We could get used to Mondays like these, Today CCP releases more details today with some great information on the equipment designed to protect us in the harshest of environments: DROPSUITS


Read about them here

Consequences, Consequences, Consequences

"Scams and real, tangible losses will be great on a number of levels, first; because listening to whiners is always fun. They are the natural resource that keeps EVE running." --Unknown EVE Player

Game Modes Part 2: Going In Deep

One area of importance that CCP have kept tight lipped about so far is Game Modes. We've chosen to focus on it a little more due to how much it affects console gamers unfamiliar with New Eden. The importance of game modes cannot be understated as these are one of the most fundamental parts of the game and whether or not the game will be enjoyable or seem just another moving generic death match to many. With mercenaries ultimately vying for control of planets and their resources, it is inevitable that the game modes will reflect this but how will CCP approach it?

Games Modes Part 1: Staying True to EVE

We've been thinking a lot recently about the different type of Game Modes .vs. Sandbox style gameplay in regards to Dust 514 and after some debate we've come to the conclusion that both can be done, while still staying true to the fiction and story that is New Eden. We realize that EVE was here first and that staying true to EVE's plot is really the most important thing. The issues are simple, many console players aren't ready for the total sandbox style of EVE. They certainly want to participate in a title with this much depth, and with Dust being the first of its kind incorporating a truly tangible connection to a PC universe prospective players are certainly intrigued. Many of them will appreciate what the game offers outside of shooting people and immerse themselves in it, some will even become EVE players. But there are also the console players that simply want to enjoy the combat, and make no mistake, this is nothing to look down upon or scoff at. New Eden certainly has a place for single-minded soldiers--especially those good at what they do. The Drone Mentality fits perfectly into the EVE/DUST Mythos. There has never been a time where the powerful haven't used soldiers to further their own ends. Still, the average console player needs content and while Dust seems to have that in abundance, they also need variety. In truth, we all need variety or our gaming experiences begin to slow to a halt because of the grind of monotony.

Dust 514 screenshot suggests great variety

Taken from the PlayStation .blog Flickr account. When CCP posted on Facebook about the new PlayStation blog entry, this was the cover image (it was very small and hard to make out). Whatever that image was, it wasn't actually part of the post about the infantry weapons. I went on the PS Flickr account and finally found this.

Dev Blog: Infantry Weapons

Today's gift is another Dev Blog (which are seeming to be coming much more frequently) focusing on what many people consider to be the most useful information outside of gameplay: HARDWARE! We get to take a look at infantry weapons and get a nice brief description on some of the logic that goes into designing weapons for Dust 514 in addition to some of the cool, technical aspects as well. Use the link below for a brief look at some of the light, heavy and sidearms we'll see in Dust 514.


Weapons

Surprise Attack!

WARNING: Thinking thoughts too much may explode brain.


There is a rumor of Surprise Attack not being an actual option. Hearing this news, our brains went into overdrive about something DUST related, and we camped out under a rock for a couple days. After due deliberation, we decided that we are disappointed. Why? Because everything we know about EVE tells us it's a sandbox title where CCP establishes broad guidelines, steps away, and then lets the players experience the game with the most hands-off policy ever seen by a developer.

Friendly Fire, Grouping & Chat

When looking to make a game above and beyond the call, it is a good idea to look at the top titles of the past couple years. Battlefield 3 is a top tier title, and a very good game, but there are two glaring omissions that prevent it from being a truly great tactical game. CCP, as you develop your next enjoyable experience, DUST 514, we like to point out a couple things that we felt DICE could have done better.

Poll: View Game in Dust 514?

All gamers eventually ask, "how the hell did that guy kill me?" or "where the **** did they come from?" or some variation of these questions.


Ask and ye shall receive. Uncharted 2 presented us with the ability to watch completed games from different perspectives, on a large scale, for the first time. This feature has gamers screaming for more like a fat 10 year old and his chocolate cake. The power to rewatch ourselves and our teammates allowed us to study tactics, mistakes, correct bad habits, and show off our dominance. It also prompted us to ask ourselves- could we and should we see this in Dust 514?






The advantages are numerous, and it would add a nice "highlight reel" aspect to a well-done battle log-style Web Application if one is in the works. The downsides? Recording games from multiple perspectives will require enormous amounts of server-side memory, and could possibly limit other more necessary features. With all this said, what would you choose? 'Support it!,' 'Hell no!,' or 'Maybe if...' Select one and comment on the why, how, etc in the comment section.

View Game in Dust?

The Importance of Dust 514

For some reason I was pondering my gaming history, and how it shaped my desire/excitement for Dust 514. I was also thinking of the importance and impact of Dust 514 to the industry.

Coming to Dust? Deadly Blue Dots

Another organized group of FPSers coming to Dust 514 are the DBD. An early MAG clan, this group is apparently making the pilgrimage to the "greener possibilities" of New Eden. They are currently active in MAG and BF3 during the wait for Dust. According to their latest post on dust514.org they are actively recruiting. Notable members include Leithery, Gauder, Remdam and JonnyNoNames.

Before the MAG Lady Sings

With MAG in its final stages and Dust soon on the horizon, one of the saddest things to see is the fall of MAG. The number of truly large scale, epic battles between clans have diminished due to players jumping ship to BF3, MW3 and the Starhawk beta, and other reasons that have been covered at other times and forums. Even small-scale organized scrims in sabotage have seen a huge downturn. However, like any good death should be - there is going to be one last battle royal, the likes of which has never been seen! (Or hasn't in a long time). This fight of all fights is being organized by the community to celebrate MAG before the transition to Dust 514 begins.