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EVE Evolved: The $10,000 New Eden Open
Competitive tournaments are nothing new to gaming, but the past few years have seen an an absolute e-sports explosion. The rise of the MOBA genre is partly responsible, with new games taking DotA's tradition of industry-sponsored tournaments to new heights. Both Dota 2 and League of Legends have world championship top prizes of over a million dollars, and smaller MOBAs regularly hand out tens of thousands to winners. The recent surge in livestreaming has had an equally big part to play, with some games netting more home viewers than real televised sports. There's no doubt about it: This is the year that e-sports takes over. EVE Online has always had a tradition of in-game tournaments, with thousands of people tuning in every year to watch its annual Alliance Tournament. The tournament turns EVE's normally asymmetric PvP on its head by putting everyone on a roughly level playing field to compete for huge in-game prizes. Players were excited this week to learn that CCP Games is launching its very first competitive tournament with a real cash prize. The $10,000 New Eden Open could be the start of something really big, but will EVE's famous political and spying metagame get in the way? In this week's EVE Evolved, I investigate the details of EVE's $10,000 tournament, the source of the money pouring into e-sports, the potential of a big EVE e-sports scene, and how EVE's metagame could interfere with the New Eden Open.
Rumor: DUST 514 launching in October
Sony Computer Entertainment America President and CEO Jack Tretton may have given away DUST 514's launch window. The EVE Online shooter sidequel has been slated for a 2012 release for some time now, but developer CCP has remained coy regarding the details. During a recent FOX Business interview, Tretton said the sci-fi title is "coming out next month." DUST 514 is a free-to-play PlayStation 3 exclusive that allows its users to interact directly with pilots in EVE. Check out our first impressions of the DUST beta, and stay tuned for more info as launch day draws near.
EVE Evolved: Four great new EVE videos
If there's one thing the EVE Online community is well known for (apart from the occasional colossal scam or game-breaking exploit), it's producing great videos. In its nine-year history, EVE has birthed some very talented video editors who have produced everything from political propaganda and instructional videos to amazing cinematic stories and machinima. The official game trailers have always turned heads, but I'd bet a significant number of current players were first introduced to EVE through player-made works of art like Kyoko Sakoda's War Has Come or Mercenary Coalition's Lacrimosa Tortuga. It's easy to fixate on only the best EVE videos ever made, but in reality, dozens of new videos are released every month. Some are cinematic story pieces or alliance propaganda videos designed to motivate the troops, but most are just compilations of good PvP fights. While PvP videos are unlikely to grab the universal acclaim of incredible films like Clear Skies or Future Proof, they arguably show the very core of EVE at its best: good fights, solid strategy, and pretty explosions. In this week's EVE Evolved, I look at four great new EVE Online videos produced just in the past few months.
New PS3 bundle includes DUST 514 bonus content
Depending on your interest in consoles, you may have heard of the new streamlined PlayStation 3 that was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show. What you may not have heard is that it will come out in a limited edition bundle that includes $30 of bonus digital content for DUST 514. DUST 514 is receiving some publicity because of this bundle, which certainly can't hurt the upcoming release of CCP's MMOFPS. Players who purchase the $270 console bundle will receive a copy of Uncharted 3 and a voucher to use in DUST 514. The voucher will give players content worth "more than $30" of bonus content, although what said content is has not been specified.
Joystiq invites you into the Dust 514 beta
Anything related to EVE Online requires some serious study and preparation. Luckily, we can get you started on your education for the connected PS3 shooter, Dust 514. Just click here to get a key for access to the beta!These keys are specific to the North American PSN, so only users with accounts in that region should apply. If you meet that condition, grab your code and have fun! Have fun and learn. Get your beta code (North America only)
Players in DUST 514 and EVE Online can join the same corporations
Integrating EVE Online with CCP Games' upcoming DUST 514 must present many challenges, one of which is how to handle the issue of corporations (guilds). In a new blog post, CCP confirms that players of either game can join the same corporations, whether they are newly established or deep-rooted EVE entities. DUST 514 corps will therefore be structured and function much the same as the corps in EVE Online, with the founding member becoming CEO. DUST 514 players will not be able to access all levels of management for multi-game corps, however. CCP is providing similar corporation creation tools for DUST 514, including logo design, structured roles, and corporation battles. Players of both games will then be easily able to communicate to each other through corp chat.
The Daily Grind: Which two MMOs would you like to see crossover?
I love crossovers. They're quite common in comics and in television while a little less so with movies (although crossovers happen even there). But what about MMOs? EVE Online and DUST 514 are going to share the same universe, while Pirate101 and Wizard101 take place in the Spiral with plenty of crossover possibility. That said, what if there were a true crossover between MMOs? What if characters, mobs, or events could spill over from one into another? Maybe the rifts from RIFT would suddenly start threatening Middle-earth or the gangstas from APB would decide to hijack a few starships in Star Trek Online? What if Marvel and DC would allow a limited-time interaction between their two MMOs in the future for some epic superhero throwdowns? Today, only your imagination is the limit. Which two MMOs would you like to see crossover? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
EVE Evolved: Has EVE Online boxed itself in?
When I was first introduced to EVE Online in 2004, it was an empty shell of a game. There were only three classes of ship, no alliances or starbases, and neither exploration complexes nor level 4 missions existed yet. EVE consisted of 5,000 systems of almost completely empty space populated by less than 50,000 players. The user interface was an order of magnitude worse than it is today (if you can imagine that), and the tutorial just dropped you in the middle of space with the ship equivalent of a pea shooter and a less-than-enthusiastic "good luck!" Though much of the game was empty, it sat before players like a blank galactic canvas. Not only could players paint their own stories into the game world, but EVE's highly active development team was updating the game at lightning speed. Players instinctively filled the voids in the game with their hopes and dreams, projecting all the things that EVE could be into the gaps. People shared ideas on the forum directly with the developers, and practically anything was possible. Things aren't quite the same today, as new ideas have to be compatible with over nine years' worth of updates, and developer CCP Games really can't afford to rock the boat and potentially lose subscriptions. In this week's EVE Evolved, I consider whether the past nine years of development has boxed EVE in, forcing the gameplay down an ever-narrowing branch of choices.
The Firing Line: DUST 514 beta impressions
I haven't played DUST 514's beta in a while, so I figured that this week's installment of The Firing Line was a good excuse to give it another go. As for first impressions, my initial session some months back wasn't worth writing about (plus there was that pesky NDA thing). It was also quite a short session that I've basically forgotten, so my intent today is to jot down some proper thoughts about CCP's new EVE-inspired shooter based on a solid evening of uninterrupted playtime.
CCP talks DUST's matchmaking system
The PlayStation blog has a new post up concerning DUST 514. More specifically, CCP is getting ready to unveil its matchmaking system for the sci-fi shooter MMO. The company says that DUST will use "an algorithm that takes into account certain criteria when considering whom to populate into a quick match. Some criteria are hardware-based, such as internet speed/latency, while others are based on player statistics, measuring players' overall strengths and then pulling them into balanced teams using that information." The new system will debut in the game's next beta patch. The update will also introduce the ability for player mercenaries to form four-man squads and join a quick match together. DUST's instant battle matchmaking system is also part of a new feature that sees players fighting for planetary district ownership on behalf of various NPC corporations from sister MMO EVE Online. Head over to the PlayStation blog for the full article.
DUST 514 and EVE Online 'initial integration' now playing on Singularity test server
CCP has announced that EVE Online and DUST 514 players can now officially communicate with one another in-game on the firm's Singularity test server. DUST mercenaries and EVE capsuleers can chat each other up in the local channels of several empire systems, according to a new CCP forum post. EVE-mail messages can also be exchanged between the two playerbases, and DUST items are now visible on EVE's in-game market (though it's currently impossible to buy them through the EVE client). CCP says initial EVE/DUST interaction is necessarily limited due to several known issues and the age of Singularity's current code base, but today's announcement marks an exciting first step in the firm's long-range plan to merge its long-running sci-fi MMORPG with its new PlayStation 3 shooter.
Dust 514 beta preview: War-torn and complex
Part of the excitement lobbed at Dust 514 is its connectivity with the complex, massively-multiplayer beast known as EVE Online. Linked physically by servers in the real world and otherwise by a thin story thread, Dust 514 has escaped close examination as we fawn over its ambitious moving parts. Developer CCP has swatted the magnifying glasses away so far, showing it off at industry trade shows for us to marvel at its potential.As of yesterday for PlayStation Plus users – and earlier for some, including press – the secrets of Dust 514 have become (mostly) public, with the widening of a closed beta for the free-to-play PS3 exclusive. Though Dust 514 is a console game, it features a complexity usually reserved for cult-hit, hardcore PC shooters. Like its MMORPG sibling, Dust 514 can be daunting.%Gallery-163006%
Dust 514 beta available now to PS Plus members in North America, tomorrow in Europe
CCP's closed beta for its free-to-play shooter, Dust 514, is accessible to PlayStation Plus members right now in North America, with Europe joining the fight on Wednesday.PlayStation Plus members also receive a 50 percent discount on the "Mercenary Pack," dropping the price to $10. The pack includes items and 4,000 AUR in-game currency, which is roughly equivalent to $20.
CCP releases new DUST 514 screens, 'precursor' beta client
CCP has released some new DUST 514 beta screens today, and the firm has also flung open the gates via the start of its PlayStation Plus subscriber beta exclusive. The promotion runs through September 4th, so log into your Plus account and download the client if you're itching to unleash your inner space marine. Today's beta update also ushers in the "Precursor" client, which includes the first real-time DUST/EVE Online integration, new environments, and keyboard/mouse support. More info is available at the official DUST 514 website. [Source: CCP press release] %Gallery-163012%
Dust 514 Neocom PS Vita companion app details drop from orbit
Dust 514 Neocom is the proposed PS Vita tie-in for Dust 514. It enables players to interact with certain elements of the PS3 game – things like altering weapon loadouts, in-game purchasing and more. While there won't necessarily be any gameplay, developer CCP promises an interactive map of the universe that it hopes to "build upon" further down the road."700 solar systems and you can drill down and look at the individual planets," CCP Creative Director Atli Mars Sveinsson said in a PlayStation Blog post. "Over time we'd like you to be able to tinker with those planets and manage their surface infrastructure." To clarify: all of these features will be accessible in the PS3 game; the PS Vita app simply allows you to do these things away from the PS3.Sveinsson and his colleagues at CCP wouldn't say when the app would be available for PS Vita users, but it's safe to assume it'll launch sometime around Dust 514 later this year.
DUST 514 Neocom makes game functions portable via PS Vita app
Although unable to participate in actual gameplay unless they are sitting at their consoles, DUST 514 players will be able to access a variety of features from anywhere on their mobile devices using a companion app to the PS3. Dubbed DUST 514 Neocom, this PS Vita app grants full access to the fittings system, allowing players to adjust armor, weaponry, and vehicle configurations. The app also lets players peruse and purchase from the game's store; it even offers daily deals and special offers. CCP Creative Director Atli Mar Sveinsson stated, "There are so many parts of DUST 514 that you can take with you and don't need a PS3 to enjoy, and this was the perfect way to exploit those features. The whole PlayStation ecosystem works really well, allowing these systems to connect and be a nice cohesive experience. It's MMO on the go."
PlayStation Plus members invited to DUST 514's 'precursor' release
If you're a DUST 514 fan and a PlayStation Plus member, we've got good news for you. CCP is hosting an exclusive closed beta event for subscribers from August 21st through September 4th. This latest testing phase marks what CCP is calling the "precursor" release for its sci-fi shooter sandbox. It features the first live server integration of DUST and its sister MMO EVE Online, and players will get to see CCP's orbital strike framework, instant battle matchmaking, and new environments. Those of you who prefer your shooters with a keyboard and mouse should be happy to note that the latest testing phase offers you the option to put down the PS3 controller and use your favorite peripherals. Finally, if you're not a PlayStation Plus member and you've yet to get a closed beta invite for DUST 514, fear not! You can purchase CCP's Mercenary Pack and receive unlimited testing access, in-game currency, skill boosts, and exclusive gear. [Source: CCP press release]
CCP secures $20 million in funding for DUST 514
With DUST 514's closed beta just around the corner and an anticipated 2012 release, folks are sure to be hearing more about the shooter that's a ground companion to EVE Online's space game. And to help get the word out, CCP has secured $20 million in funding in the form of convertible bonds raised from Icelandic institutional investors. Chief Marketing Officer David Reid noted funding will go toward marketing the game's launch. That doesn't mean players will see a one-time blitz of promotional advertising; Reid pointed out CCP is able to focus on a more long-term marketing campaign. The funds will also go toward preparing for an IPO. Although the company does not have immediate plans to go public, Reid states that the money allows the company to lay some of the preparatory groundwork so it would be ready if and when the time was right to actually go public.
DUST 514 connects to EVE Online in upcoming closed beta test
CCP Games Executive Producer Brandon Laurino opened up on the features coming to DUST 514's closed beta "precursor" release, which begins August 21st. It will be during this closed beta that DUST 514 and EVE Online will finally meet and shake hands (or try to strangle each other for profit). The team will put DUST 514 on EVE's test server Singularity to see how the games interact in a live environment for the first time. Best part? All EVE Online subscribers now get access to DUST's beta. "We can't wait to see what happens when these games collide in the same shared universe," Laurino wrote. With this move, the team will also be testing out orbital strikes on the battlefield. Players will be able to call down powerful attacks from space onto the heads of their enemies. For right now, the orbital strikes will come from computer-controlled barges, but eventually EVE players will be able to fill the role. Another future feature will be the ability for groundpounders to use orbital artillery to fire on ships in return. The August 21st build of the game will also include new matchmaking features, plenty of additional environments, keyboard and mouse implementation for PlayStation 3 users, and lots of polish. The team says that its Vita companion app, DUST 514: Neocom, is going live at the same time. [Source: CCP Games press release]
EVE Evolved: Adapt or die
When EVE Online was first released in 2003, it sold mostly based on its future potential. Everyone I played with in those early years got into EVE in order to be on the ground floor of an awesome space game that was getting more awesome by the month. Features were undergoing continual revision, and new content was released regularly, making EVE a radically different game every six months. Players met this design strategy of continual iteration head on with an "adapt or die" attitude, and it kept the game interesting for years on end. Fast-forward to 2011 and the story looked very different. The Dominion, Tyrannis and Incursion expansions introduced new gameplay but didn't heavily iterate on any other features. By the time Incarna released, most of EVE's gameplay and content had been the same for two years and players had nothing new to adapt to. For the Crucible and Inferno expansions, CCP finally iterated on hundreds of small features and even introduced new modules to reboot EVE's "adapt or die" PvP ship design metagame. With a lot of the small things now covered, I think some of the game's big features are due for iteration. In this week's EVE Evolved opinion piece, I look at how EVE players adapt to new challenges and explore several areas of stale gameplay that are in dire need of iteration.
