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CCP’s upcoming MMOFPS set in the EVE Online universe, DUST 514, will be free to play according to the firm.
While there will be no cover charge for users, in-game credits will be available to buy via micro-transaction, said the game’s executive producer Brandon Laurino in an interview with Eurogamer.
Learning from last year’s controversy within the EVE Online community, he explained:
“It’s very important as we take steps into this topic to unambiguously state that it is not a pay to win game. There is no micro-transaction that you can do that gives you an unfair advantage over someone who hasn’t paid anything.
“It’s the classic micro-transaction dynamic of, ‘I can pay and get this item,’ or, ‘I can invest my time and get this item.’ But neither of those options will give me an unfair advantage over the other.”
Currency in DUST 514 can be earned in-game or bought in packs of $10 to $100. With this Aurum currency users will be able to purchase vanity items, boosters, weapon variants, and respecs, while CCP promises “hundreds and hundreds” of items.
It has also been revealed that a Vita version of the MMOFPS is planned, but will function as a companion app to the full title.
“At the most basic level, you can do transactions on the market; equip and customise your character, your vehicles; set up strategies with your friends and Corporation members – all of these sort of companion functions on the go,” said Laurino.
“We’re also exploring all of the super fun exciting stuff – interesting gameplay opportunities and things like that. As we continue to explore what the possibilities are, between Vita and PS3, of which there are many, we’ll keep updating the app with stuff like that over time.”
While the game is a PS3 exclusive, it will have mouse and keyboard functionality.
DUST 514 is expected to hit this summer, while its Vita companion piece is expected later in the year.
