Synergy is a word you’re likely to hear on corporate conference calls around the globe on a daily basis. The core concept is simple: two elements working in tandem will deliver a higher result than the output of both things working independently. CCP’s DUST 514 is the paragon of synergism.
Having already one super-popular persistent game in Eve Online, Icelanders CCP will launch symbiotic MMOFPS DUST 514 next year. Based in the same universe as Eve Online on the PC, console-bound DUST 514 will focus on the ground battles that rage on the myriad of worlds populating the 7,500 star systems Eve players have been fighting over for years.
Events in both games will influence the other. Controlling a planet with soldiers in DUST 514 will result in the planet’s political allegiances changing in the Eve Online world. Communities from both games are expected to merge over time, with DUST 514 players able to communicate with their space-faring PC cohorts, offering assistance in campaigns and generally “doing the dying while the fleet does the flying.” Accordingly, Eve Online players can fund mercenaries and set objectives for console players. DUST 514 players themselves will have a commander who can dictate battles through an RTS-esque interface. Customisable vehicles will also feature.
The blurring of lines between genres and platforms is something that has us polishing our space-boots, giddy with excitement. Not only does this take the massiveness of games such as MAG to the next level, but the opportunity of joining an already robust online community (Eve Online has 300,000 monthly subscribers) and participating in a multi-tiered/multi-platform war is literally breaking new grounds in gaming. Also, as we’re sure you’ll agree from watching the debut trailer below, it’s also no harm that DUST 514 looks absolutely gorgeous.
It was announced at FANFEST 2009 that DUST 514 will be free to play and use the micro-transaction model.
Quote paraphrased from CEO of CCP Hilmar Veigar Petursson speaking with Gamasutra.
Person678
Sounds like a brilliant idea.
iiekka
+1 sounds really intresting will keep an eye on this one, i did give eve ago a while back gave up after about 5 mins.
yogdog
Thanks for the heads up! Never heard of this, which I’m surprised about…
Firmly on my radar now.
BIGAL-1992
I’ve been keeping an eye on this for ages. Sounds promising, but I’d like to see proper gameplay.
BIGAL-1992
Oh yeah, a word of warning. Be weary of who you fight with in the EVE universe, or else this could happen to you:http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=180867&site=pcg
moshi
That’s quite a plan they had there, maybe a team TSA will be in order to patrol the skies
jikomanzoku
It’s the stories like that, the skullduggery, the economy and the great art and audio that sucked me into EVE, such a nice alternative to the candyfloss likes of WOW.
Nice link Al :D
carson321
lol, starship troopers, what a movie!
Kovacs
Do you want to know more?
carson321
lol, have you watched it recently?>?
Kovacs
Nope – but who could forget that wonderful line?
Tuffcub
I’m wondering how they plan to get round the closed environment that is XBox Live. Every other MMO (FF14 for example) has found that Microsoft’s insistance on a closed system means multi platform MMOs are impossible. If Dust is to work alongside EVE then there is now way Dust is coming to 360 – unless MS open up Xbox Live. (Hint: They wont)
Kovacs
Aha! It was announced at FANFEST 2009 that DUST 514 will be free to play and use the micro-transaction model.
(Which I’ve just added to the above.)
So, shouldn’t be an issue getting it on to Xbox 360.
3shirts
Promote Synergy LIKE A BOSS
Kovacs
Hit on Debra …
Tuffcub
Why, is she a babe or something?
Kovacs
You tell me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NisCkxU544c
(Warning: NSFW lyrics)
eirekun
Did not know about that game, looks fantastic & I reckon I’d last longer than the hour I managed on EVE-online.
Origami Killer
looks cool, but a bit like killzone
bunimomike
What a lovely trailer. There’s something about massive spaceships drifting slowly and quietly through space that makes me happy.
Not sure this sort of game will be for me but thanks for bringing it to my attention. T’is splendid.
yogdog
Agreed on the spaceship part, I find it relaxing, weirdly.
That trailer is very good, certiantly piqued my interest.
mynameisblair
Ah, had to do a presentation on EVE (although I’ve never played it) and researched this – looks interesting, the industry/fighting split is interesting in EVE.