EVE Dev Unveils Console MMO-FPS 'DUST 514'

The universe of EVE Online will spread to consoles in an MMO-FPS hybrid named DUST 514, developer CCP announced today at the Game Developers Conference Europe.

DUST 514 will take place on the surface of planets from EVE with a blend of FPS and RTS gameplay, "Giving commanders and ground infantry real-time configurable weapons and modular vehicles to manage dynamic battlefield conditions."

Teased in 2008, DUST has been in development at CCP Shanghai for three years and is headed to "The current generation of consoles"--read "Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3."

CCP says DUST 514 "Will interact directly with EVE Online," and "gives [console players] a chance to become part of one of the most massive cooperative play and social experiences ever," though gives no details on quite how the two will interact.

One possible connection is EVE Online's future 'Ambulation Project' update, which will grant players avatar form to roam space stations, visit space bars and space gamble.