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Free-to-play MMO shooter ‘Dust 514’ launches today on PS3

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Dust 514
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Add Dust 514 to the list of free-to-play games being embraced by Sony; CCP Games’ F2P first-person shooter launches today on PlayStation 3, the Iceland-based EVE Online developer announced in a press release. The first-person shooter is free for all to play and aims to connect with both EVE fans looking for more action-packed play and casual shooter fans who just need a headshot fix.

Dust 514 boasts unlimited customization options, according to CCP’s announcement, “taking the player to new dimensions of character progression.” The world of Dust 514 is integrated with that of the number-crunching space massively multiplayer role-playing game EVE Online; ground battles in Dust will now influence shifting alliances in EVE. Players in the shooter can summon orbital weapons strikes by collaborating with players on the EVE side.

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The new Planetary Conquest mode gives players on the Dust side an opportunity to establish a physical presence in the MMO. Certain sections of space feature planets divided into multiple districts that can be fought over and controlled by one faction or another. The completely optional metagame introduces yet another wrinkle aimed at increasing the level of investment on both sides of the playing field.

Three paid DLC bundles are available for Dust 514 on PS3 at launch: the $19.99 “Mercenary Pack,” with 40,000 Aurum to spend in-game, a 30-day +50 percent skill booster, and exclusive gear; the $49.99 “Veteran Pack,” with dropsuits, boosters, 100,000 Aurum, a permanent Blood Raider Acolyte vehicle, a sniper rifle, and more; and the $99.99 “Elite Pack,” with 200,000 Aurum, boosters, four dropsuits, multiple weapons, a permanent light attack vehicle, and a collection of Heavy Assault Vehicles.

“DUST 514 is an ever-evolving game as a service, built on the technical foundation and experience CCP has gathered over the past decade,” reads the press release. “New features, content, and upgrades are planned for years to come, beginning with an update in June and additional major releases throughout 2013. All updates to DUST 514 come at no cost, truly keeping the game free-to-play for all players.”

CCP Games confirmed May 14 – 5/14, yes – as the official launch of Dust 514 at EVE FanFest 2013. The developer also offered a week-early look at the now-released Uprising expansion, which added the aforementioned Planetary Conquest mode to the game as well as a number of other refinements, tweaks, and technical improvements.

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Michael Rougeau
Michael Rougeau
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Mike Rougeau is a journalist and writer who lives in Los Angeles with his girlfriend and two dogs. He specializes in video…
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