Hilmar Interview with Forbes

While there have been a bevy of new interviews releasing for Dust 514 recently, we really latched on to some of the great information in this one because CCP CEO Hilmar Petersson released some previously unknown tidbits regarding sabotaging New Eden's economy, the binding of EVE and Dust and how making the two games simultaneous almost didn't happen.

Hilmar Interview

Dev Blog: Dynamic Battlefields

The newest long-anticipated Dev Blog covering Dynamic Battlefields is finally live. In it, we learn some of the details regarding planet layouts, surface structures and a new addition, the Surface Control Center. Get the details from the link below:

Dynamic Battlefields

IRC Chat Transcript

While many (including ourselves) weren't lucky enough to actually attend, recently CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson and Dust 514 Creative Director Atli Mar were kind enough to take some time away from continuing to refine Dust 514 and do a fan Q&A. Lots of new info was given out and although some answers were a bit vague (we still don't know if we'll have in-depth VR training areas) we now have better clarification on things like various types of orbital bombardments, more details on the capturing/defense mechanics of planets and the initial limitations on crafting.

We were ecstatic to find out they're still focusing on hardening the shooter experience. While the game's depth is its selling point, the shooter experience must at least be average and our impressions from early vids tell us that right now its still obviously a game in beta.

Below is the link to the chat transcript. Enjoy.

IRC Chat

Some Dust Linkage

Here are a few necessary stops in the New Eden Experience for the newer fans of Dust 514 hungry for some background on the game. We realize that the closed beta has drawn in quite a few people who haven't had this game-changing title on their radar before now.

Enjoy.

Expanding the EVE Universe

Dust will Change Online Gaming

PS3 Exclusivity

Dust514.org Interview

Dust 514 Hands On

Machinima Interview

Who is Rise of Legion?

This past week we received an instant message imploring us to hurry into IRC Chat for a major event. We logged in to find almost thirty members of the alliance known as RiseofLegion (ROFL) who decided this past week would also be the time to announce themselves to New Eden in rather dramatic fashion. ROFL fancies themselves the first major EVE/Dust 514 alliance and one look at their roster reveals not only a lengthy list of MAG luminaries, but veterans of EVE and several other FPS cultures as well.

We had the chance to sit down with ROFL Alliance Leader Mitauchi on some of the questions many are asking, like the Zerg rumors, becoming synonymous with Dust 514, fighting against the Goons and why MAG chest-thumping is irrelevant.

5000 Closed beta keys sent

Dust514.org received word from CmdrWang reguarding the closed beta, and the keys. This was posted:


"Update 1: CCP CmdrWang Just confirmed that Sony is sending out 5000 closed beta keys to their testers which have access to the current beta build.


Update 2: Current state of the beta is pre-fanfest build which is rather old and is used for stress-testing mostly. Sony needs to approve another big patch for DUST 514 and once they do Fanfest attendees and others will be able to get into the beta and start playing newest build of the game. This will happen during the next week or so.


Update 3: Currently the server is only available between 11:30 UTC Fridays and 11:00 UTC Mondays, with daily downtime betweeen 11 and 11:30."

If you received a beta for Dust 514, remember to give feedback to the devs on the official forums: https://forums.dust514.com/

A Couple of Dealbreakers...

As the hype for Dust 514 gets larger and we all grow more impatient, most of us are probably biding our time trying to "get organized" in other games by fielding new recruits and formalizing our protocols which roughly translates into "finding some dudes to play with regularly and thinkin' shit up". Battlefield 3 comes to mind, as it's the closest thing on the market to what Dust 514 is claiming to bring: a team based game with combined arms fighting (squads, guns and vehicles on big sandbox maps)

With the release of the latest patch, clans now have the ability to once again set up private servers for matches against other clans. We also see the return of the ominous "kick" option.

And if we look closely at the BF3 forums, the server browser and the game itself, we can find 2 things that could be MAJOR problems for 514: the freezing and the training wheels.

What Social Areas could we see in Dust?

One of the early gameplay features that excited us about Dust 514 was the mention of 3rd Person Social Areas. Why? Its simple really MMOs typically give you a number of things to do besides shoot people, and social areas usually foreshadow the start of players grouping up, developing high level strategy and tactics in addition to displaying a high level of organization.

Give players the ability to engage in a plethora of activities, and prepare to see them spend embarrassing amounts of time in the online worlds you create. The social side of an MMO is easily as critical as features like graphics and shooting mechanics. We anticipate seeing some ground-breaking progress in the social arena. For starters:

Necessary: Assassins

Death by stripper? Oh the possibilities...

Researching EVE these past few months has been both a learning experience and an inspiration, we've leaned much about the politics and the way things are done in New Eden. The open-galaxy style and free-from-interference "hands off" policy that CCP views EVE with is refreshing. What we've learned has been eye-opening in some cases, as a matter of fact; here's one instance in particular that intrigued us Murder Inc. Situation.

Logistics

After some consideration, it has become more apparent that the divide between the "casual" game and the "hardcore" game seems to fall in the area of logistics in a way that overshadows gameplay.

Duster's Exclusive: Developer Interview

Recently our blog had an opportunity to interview the CCP Dev Team and ask some of the questions the growing Dust 514 community is dying to know. Brandon Laurino was kind enough to step away from his job and answer some of our questions. Keep reading for why keyboard and mouse won't have an advantage, Sneak Attacks and how serious CCP is about anti-cheating. 

"That said, as we mentioned at FanFest, in null-sec, it’s the wild west, and it will truly be up to your skill and preparedness, no holds barred. In null-sec, it will be the most hardcore shooter ever, period."

--Brandon Laurino, Dust 514 Executive Producer 

More Weapon Concept Art

New concept art featuring Minmatar infantry weapon technology from Dust514.org. The Minmatar SMG, and the Mass Driver grenade launcher.

Dust 514 is only the beginning.

In this video, CCP's CTO Halldor Fannar revealed that more games connected to EVE, and taking place in the same universe will probably be released. CCP plans on exploring any forms of gameplay compatible with the EVE scifi universe and its philosophy.

What Fanfest attendees think of Dust 514

Overall the reactions seem to be positive, though there are things that need to get worked out. The video also features a some vehicular gameplay footage, and nice SMG that we didn't get to see much of. Enjoy