Dust 514's 'thematic' private trials explained

CCP executive producer Brandon Laurino explains the Dust 514 beta, and how it will differ from usual beta roll-outs to fit within the game world of EVE.

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EVE spinoff Dust 514 is preparing to launch its beta test, but developer CCP Shanghai is attempting to avoid the term. "We're not calling it a Beta," executive producer Brandon Laurino said.

Instead, the company is planning a "private trial," one that will be careful to preserve the ongoing EVE story. Progressive waves of trials will slowly introduce the story behind the game's mercenary wars, and their role in the EVE universe. According to Laurino, a normal beta test would break the EVE fiction.

"We’re not taking the usual 'on / off' method of rolling out a build and then taking it back and tweaking it, then rolling it out again," executive producer Brandon Laurino told the PlayStation Blog. "When we roll out with those first few users we are introducing mercenary technology to EVE, our 'game as a service begins', and the story will continue from there as that technology develops, further empowering the DUST 514 mercenaries from test subjects in war games to ultimately allowing them to take hold of their own future. It's what we call a thematic rollout."

At the same time, Laurino hesitates to call it a spin-off of EVE. "The EVE universe is comprised of three experiences: one is the classic EVE Online play, 'flying in space' or what we call FIS; there's WIS or 'walking in stations', where you can now get out of your ship and explore the interiors of space stations; and the final piece is DUST 514 and we’ve nicknamed that SIF, or 'shooting in face'," he said. "None of those three are spin-offs, they’re experiences of equal value that can be played independently or fully connected. If you’re connected then you’re going to get the rich emergent gameplay that runs through all three."

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  • reply
    October 10, 2011 10:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Dust 514's 'thematic' private trials explained.

    CCP executive producer Brandon Laurino explains the Dust 514 beta, and how it will differ from usual beta roll-outs to fit within the game world of EVE.

    • reply
      October 10, 2011 10:31 AM

      I am looking forward to this!

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      October 10, 2011 10:44 AM

      any news on who and how to get into the 'private test party' ?

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      October 10, 2011 10:52 AM

      Linking an FPS to EVE's fluid story is brilliant. It's going to provide the actions FPS'ers with meaning beyond a kill-death ratio or achievement records, something which is sorely lacking from even the top AAA titles.

      I'd never dive into a space flight sim like EVE, but DUST looks like a deeper experience than what anyone else is offering.

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        October 10, 2011 11:06 AM

        Totally agree. EVE does have their faithfuls, but I couldn't get into it. Dust 514 looks to be more of my speed.

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        October 10, 2011 11:07 AM

        I hypothetically agree with you. It totes has the possibility to be dismissable and pedantic, though.

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        October 10, 2011 11:19 AM

        This is predicated on the assumption that CCP doesn't screw this up royally, this is a pretty big leap.

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          October 10, 2011 12:45 PM

          Console-only MMOFPS?

          Probably gonna suck hard.

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      October 10, 2011 11:13 AM

      Looks like I'll be buying a PS3 then....

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