It has now come to light that Dust 514 is all set to be made available as a free-to-play title when it releases for the PS3 this year. The hybrid of the MMO and first-person shooter genres was earlier expected to hit PSN with a cover charge of 10 USD (approx. Rs. 495) to 20 USD (approx. Rs. 990).
Eurogamer has received word from the game’s developer that this title will be completely free to download and play to all PS3 owners. The revenue from it was intended to be converted into in-game Aurum credits that could be spent at the micro-transaction store. But now, these Aurum credits will be made available in the form of currency bundles ranging from 10 USD (approx. Rs. 495) to 100 USD (approx. Rs. 4,945).
Brandon Laurino, executive producer of Dust 514, told the website, “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.”
Gamers will even be able to earn and use ISK credits that are a part of Eve Online. However, they won’t be usable in the store for Dust 514. The items that will be purchasable within the game comprise vanity goods, boosters, weapon variants, services like character respecs and lucky dip treasure boxes.
Crafted by Eve Online developer, CCP, Dust 514 is yet to receive a definite release date. However, it has been confirmed that the game will be outed for the PS3 and PS Vita in the summer of this year.