DUST 514 Executive Producer, Brandon Laurino, has issued a brand new Producer's letter detailing some really exciting changes coming to CCP's DUST 514 in the coming weeks. If you're not familiar with DUST, this is a free to play first-person shooter exclusive to the PlayStation 3 that exists in the same game world as EVE Online.
The Precursor update is CCP's next big step on the road to open beta and, ultimately, launch. This update is huge in several ways but, most prominently, it is going to be the first time that DUST 514 players can interact directly with EVE Online players on PC/MAC. CCP is rolling things out in a very staged manner, not wanting to overload players with new features and new levels of social connectivity to the EVE universe.
To get things going, players will be able to chat directly with EVE Online players from within DUST and send in-game mail between the two games. CCP is also introducing the framework for the highly-anticipated Orbital Strike mechanic that will actually let DUST 514 players request air support from EVE Online players in real-time. The framework is being laid down in the Precursor update, as players will only be able to request Orbital Strike's from an AI-controlled War Barge rather than actual EVE players.
The interactivity between EVE players and DUST mercenaries is just the tip of the iceberg with the Precursor update, so click Keep Reading below to learn more about the Instant Battle matchmaking, PlayStation Vita companion app and so much more!
The Instant Battle matchmaking system is going to be implemented in Precursor and what this does is provide a place where players can go, in the menu, to quickly access multiplayer matches. This is for folks who might not have time for the incredible depth and breadth of what DUST 514 is doing, and just want to jump online in a Team Deathmatch game to shoot some people in the head.
Instant Battle matchmaking will allow you to do exactly that, and will even match you up with players of the same skillset and experience as you.
Two final features in the Precursor release that are really getting us excited are full mouse and keyboard support and the PlayStation Vita companion app, DUST 514: Neocom. Starting with Precursor, DUST 514 will allow players to hook up a mouse and keyboard to their PlayStation 3 and experience DUST 514 in a brand new way. If you're a veteran PC player spending some time on console, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
The PlayStation Vita app, DUST 514: Neocom, is releasing alongside this application and serves as a brilliant companion to DUST 514. In Neocom, players can make changes to their character and do just about everything in-game aside from actually playing. If you have a lengthy commute to work on a bus or train, it will be easy to fire up the Neocom application and make some tweaks to your game. Those changes will be linked to your game, so when you get home to start playing, you can jump right in without having to do anything but play.
Some of the other brand new features and additions include new environments, graphical enhancements, increased polish and a host of bug fixes.
For more on DUST 514, check out http://www.dust514.org/!
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