The Future of War: DUST 514’s Mobile Command Center

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The Future of War: DUST 514’s Mobile Command Center

DUST 514 is an MMOFPS on the PS3 with large-scale vehicle and infantry combat taking place in, and with a real-time connection to, the EVE Online universe on PC. Players are able to band up into corporations (e.g. guilds) and wage territorial conquest on thousands of planets. What follows is a thematic description of Mobile Command Centers, or MCC’s. At 200 meters in length, these vehicles represent the largest, most powerful weapon a team can acquire, and are flown by a team’s commander. Oftentimes, destruction of the MCC means victory on the battlefield (we’ll give you more insight into the game’s command hierarchy, a system that allows players to form squads that are led by a player commander, in an upcoming PlayStation.Blog post).

DUST 514 for PS3

A Caelus-class MCC trawls across the battlefield.

Colossal. Imposing. Devastating. Any of these words could describe the MCC, but only one truly sums it up: Control. The MCC is the nerve center of any army, the backbone upon which wars are waged and battles won. It is from here, locked within the confines of a modified hydrostatic pod, that the
commander orchestrates the fate of those on the ground below. He does so having never set foot on the battlefield, but with the collective knowledge and situational awareness of every unit that has. If knowledge is power, it is the commander who wields it.

Heavily fortified and shielded, the destruction of an MCC is by no means an easy task…but it’s not an impossible one. Only a sustained heavy weapons barrage is sufficient to disable the MCC’s shields and take down its armor. If the MCC does possess an Achilles heel, it is its dependence on fuel, without a constant supply of which, its turrets, critical systems and, most importantly, shields are worthless. Commanders would do well to be aware of any and all fuel sources in a given area and plan accordingly.

DUST 514 for PS3DUST 514 for PS3

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79 Comments

  • Very impressive! I’ll definitely be checking this one out. Hopefully it will be a much bigger success than MAG was…

  • Sounds awesome. I bet they will cost a lot of money.

  • I think it is cool that the commander will not actually fight in the battle. They will be able to do a better job of being in charge. I feel like it is difficult in MAG to be a good OIC because you can easily get distracted with fighting the battle yourself.

  • I LIKE IT!!!

  • You can’t even compare MAG to Dust514, I can only say this because its being developed by CCP.. After Dust514 is complete, MAG will feel like stepping back in time, popping in Contra and going for a few strides…. Can’t wait to hear about the “command hierarchy”!!

  • Avatar photo

    Hey everyone. This is CCP Shadow, the Community Manager for DUST 514. Just wanted to say hi, and that we’ll be checking in on the comments here.

  • Wow. That concept sounds incredible. It sounds like you, the player, are playing for the greater cause. I really like how players will be carried all together in this massive carrier, it sounds like we could form strategies/loadouts along the way. Very cool. Can’t wait to read more.

    PS: The concept art for this game looks amazing. I’m a sucker for those!!!

  • Awesome stuff. Can’t wait to see more.

  • Is there a beta going on? I wanna be in it… :(

  • when is the beta coming i thought i seen some where that said it was coming the end of this year it looks like a nice game

  • Like most of CCP’s vision this looks awesome. I am almost afraid to hope that this game is as good as i wish it can be. My main concern is that the FPS engine itself will be the let down.

    The concept is mindblowing, the world is amazing, the art is brilliant. Please in the name of all that is holy, let the engine be worthy.

    For me it will have to be on a level equal to Battlefield in terms of a robust engine and hopefully something more interesting than DM’s all the time. Part of the reason i went to BF is for the Rush and Conquest modes. If we could have something of the same quality or better with an Eve/Dust edge i will be more than happy.

    Don’t let me down CCP ;)

  • Now for questions, now that I know I can post to here. (Warning! Wall of text and Assumption of knowledge of EVE ahead!)

    Is there a decision on whether the total amount of fuel available in a match total is finite? Or will there be an infinite amount of fuel available at refuelling stations for MCCs? If it’s finite, will you be able to resupply from EVE players/other territories/other sources during the battle?

    Are there going to be racial MCCs? Are there going to be different types for each race? Are they going to be like standard ships in EVE or like Strategic Cruisers with different subsystems? I’m also assuming that we will at least get to fit them with modules like we will the rest of the vehicles.

    (Cont)

    • Yep, there are racial MCCs. At present, customization of the MCCs isn’t on the table and there aren’t different *types* of MCCs yet, but that’s part of the beauty of DUST 514 — there’s always more we can create in the years to come.

  • dang it CCP, every time you put one of these articles about Dust 514, it makes me wanna go buy it right now but then I realize that its not out yet. Come on 2012, where are you?

  • What’s the MCC like vs Orbital strikes? Can it even be hit from orbit? What kind of ship in EVE has the equivalent defences?

    Also, is the commander committed to the MCC for the entire battle? From the sound of it, he uses the same capsules that capsuleers use, which are (in universe) hard to get out of without the proper equipment.

    And yes, DUST514.org checking in. We’ll be around more, mark my words.

  • From the very first reveal of Dust 514, I was already taken in.

    I love the concept, it is unique and interesting. My only fear is that the concept is too unique for gamers to get into, and that the game might flop.

    Nonetheless, these updates make my day. I love to hear more about the game.

    I have a question, though. Does the CM for Dust 514 have a Twitter account? Or something similar?

  • @EpicGamerMonket – it’s @CCP_Shadow

  • A blog! Hurray!

    Wait, turrets? TURRETS?! I assume they’d act more like artillery cannons then, right? Because they’d fire shells as big as tanks.

  • (Cont from previous comment)
    What’s the MCC like vs Orbital strikes? Can it even be hit from orbit? What kind of ship in EVE has the equivalent defences?

    Also, is the commander committed to the MCC for the entire battle? From the sound of it, he uses the same capsules that capsuleers use, which are (in universe) hard to get out of without the proper equipment.

    There will be more to come later, I’m splitting my time between here and all the new stuff on Sisi.

    And yes, DUST514.org checking in. We’ll be around more, commenting and being a general pain. Mark my words.

  • This game sounds ultra fantastic. I hope the gameplay matches the implied awesomeness of these blog posts!

    Really would like to see more video of the game in action…and not the one we have seen before.

  • @Etero_Narciss – considering the MCC is about the size of a cruiser, the arty cannons it can get are 720mm. The rapid fire autocannons are only 425mm AKA firing people.

    Continuing the questions…

    What’s the MCC like vs Orbital strikes? Can it even be hit from orbit? What kind of ship in EVE has the equivalent defences?

    Also, is the commander committed to the MCC for the entire battle? From the sound of it, he uses the same capsules that capsuleers use, which are (in universe) hard to get out of without the proper equipment.

    There will be more to come later, I’m splitting my time between here and all the new stuff on Sisi.

    And yes, DUST514.org checking in. We’ll be around more, commenting and being a general pain. Mark my words.

  • @Etero_Narciss – considering the MCC is about the size of a cruiser, the arty cannons it can get are 720mm. The rapid fire autocannons are only 425mm AKA firing people.

    Continuing the questions…

    Is the commander committed to the MCC for the entire battle? From the sound of it, he uses the same capsules that capsuleers use, which are (in universe) hard to get out of without the proper equipment.

    There will be more to come later, I’m splitting my time between here and all the new stuff on Sisi.

    And yes, DUST514.org checking in. We’ll be around more, commenting and being a general pain. Mark my words.

  • Oh! Another question!

    What’s the MCC like vs Orbital strikes? Can it even be hit from orbit? What kind of ship in EVE has the equivalent defences?

  • How does this game work on Vita???!!!

    That’s the most intriguing part to me and I haven’t heard any details on that yet.

    Is the game still on board for VITA???

    • x-former, we don’t have any details on PS Vita that we’re ready to discuss yet. But one point of clarification, as I see this mentioned a lot — what we’re looking at is (optionally) extending some aspects of the DUST 514 experience to Vita rather than “playing DUST 514 on Vita.”

      Once we have all of this worked out and are ready to share more info on this, CCP will discuss it here at the PlayStation.Blog and at DUST514.com.

  • More questions!

    What’s the MCC like vs Orbital strikes? Can it be hit?

    Also, do you need an MCC to actually fight? Can you actually continue the fight without one or is it instant loss? Can you bring in a replacement one if the first one gets blown up?

    • It would depend on the game mode, actually, but yes you need an MCC to fight. And losing the MCC would mean defeat.

  • This is looking very good!

    Incredible art concept! You guys should be very proud!

    I hope the game play pleases everybody.

    Good luck team!

  • Excellent. I like that there’s a sense on enormity to it. EVE isn’t a small game and DUST should keep that feel.

  • Each bit of information that is released about this game lets me know they are building it right from the ground up, a great command center is necessary in any true tactical shooter. this is shaping up to be a good gaming year.

    be sure to check out our dust 514 blog: magvets.blogspot.com

  • @James Egan…

    1.What makes dust 514 unique & standout from other mmofps games?

    2.How much freedom & flexibility is there in dust 514?

    3.Will there be any 3D & or playtation move support for dust 514?

    Thank You!

    • Hi dragon_frost, ok a few good questions there.

      As to what makes DUST 514 unique & standout, there are a number of things I could say. What it most important to point out is that you’re influencing a setting in DUST 514 – not just a territory map as with some other titles, but an actual game universe shared with many thousands of other mercenaries and EVE Online capsuleers. Your actions can resonate throughout EVE and DUST, since they’re different experiences of the same universe. I’ve said more on this here, if you’d like to check it out:

      https://blog.playstation.com/2011/06/06/introducing-dust-514-a-persistent-shooter-from-ccp/

      Freedom and flexibility — a number of games out there essentially bind you into a certain role, and that determines what gear is available to you, what you can do. DUST is a more flexible system where you can alter your loadout depending on what you feel like doing. There are no classes in DUST, but there are ways to gear up for certain roles out there in combat. Essentially, it’s a rather freeform system that gives the player choice.

      Also, yes, there will be Move support for DUST 514.

  • Will you add PS Move Support?

  • Yes ps move support would be awesome!

  • I hope you guys support Move otherwise I’ll have another good reason to buy this game!

  • Will there be other sci-fi or futuristic vehicles such as:
    1) Tanks,
    2) Hover-bikes/motorcycles with machine-guns,
    3) Speedboats,
    4) Mini-submarines,
    5) Helicopters

    • There are vehicles types DUST 514, which vary across the playable races. (Players of EVE Online will be quite familiar with this.) Tanks, yes, but we’re calling them something else. ;) Motorcycles, no. And DUST 514 doesn’t presently have vehicles used on or in water, as the fighting really takes place on the ground. And one thing to remember about DUST 514 is that, at its heart, it’s still an MMO. That means that the vehicles available at DUST’s release aren’t the entire roster of what will be made available. We’ll always keep adding more content to the game over time, and that includes weapons, vehicles, and more. DUST isn’t a game we’re just releasing and then done with things until some sequel title – it’s a game that continually evolves over time.

  • So far i am really liking this game I cant wait to see a new trailer showing new game footage.

  • @ccp idk wat it is but something is very special about dust514, I left first person shooters alone they didnt interest me anymore but dust 514 looks too bring me back to the genre. I have high expectation of yall game.

    • It’s the same for a number of us who work on this game. We’re glad to be able to create something that’s different from what we’ve been able to do in other shooters (which we know and love, by the way).

  • beta? Any news on that? It’s getting close to the end of the year!!!!

  • why does this remind me of battlefield 2142? oh i know! becuz it sounds extremely like 2142’s titan mode of online gameplay! nice bit of throwing in fuel supplies instead of control points, and heavy sustained ordinance is like the missile silo. but it was fun, i’ll check this out too because the graphics look like its going to be better than 2142.

  • Mr. Shadow, does this hinting at fuel mean that we are going to have to hotdrop in planetary resource harvesters during battle?

    ie: Is this confirmation that industrials will have a roll in shooting in face (sif) operations?

  • Can’t wait!!! Good job guys!!

  • Will the game have a leveling up system?

  • That is awesome! This is shaping up to be an all time great thanks for the new info!

  • How about a World of Darkness game? I know CCP now owns White Wolf.

    • Well CCP merged with White Wolf some years ago, and since that time we’ve been at work on a World of Darkness MMO – a game that will have particular appeal to players of the original Vampire: The Masquerade RPG. (Which I grew up playing, along with Mage, Werewolf and a few of the smaller games that comprised the World of Darkness setting.)

      What we recently announced is that we’ve shifted more of our focus to EVE Online and DUST 514 though. That said, World of Darkness is still in development.

  • As far as a beta goes… I just hope the ones paying to play EVE are already on the invite list…

  • Awesome.

    Any chance of getting some sort of extended trial or free month for EVE Online with the purchase of DUDT 514?

    • This is more of a Marketing thing and something I can’t really confirm, but incentives like this have certainly been discussed at CCP.

  • I want it because it looks pretty and seems to have solid controls. Its the MAG that never was.

  • This game is looking so interesting. I think it’d be great to be a foot soldier in a huge battle being led by an actual human commander! I don’t think I could command anything myself, but the idea of being apart of something bigger is amazing.

    I have one question though: How do the EVE players feel about this upcoming game-changer? I’m not connected to any of them, but I would really like to know if they’re happy about it, skeptical, or outright against it. As much as I’d love to join in a new experience, it’ll be so much better if the players already involved in the world are welcoming the change with open arms. :)

    • Another good question. I’d say there’s a mixed response. Some players are very excited and embrace the possibilities that DUST 514 will add to the EVE universe. To that end, we’re seeing EVE corps and alliances reaching out to FPS players as potential recruits to their organizations for when DUST 514 launches. There is, of course, also a fair amount of skepticism, and understandably so. There are many questions people have about how this will all work out, which we’re going to be addressing and explaining over time (up until Summer 2012 when DUST 514 launches). And yes, there are some players who aren’t into what we’re doing with expanding the experience of the EVE universe through DUST, though a number of these players also still express the desire to rain hell down upon DUST mercs from space via orbital strikes. It should be fun to see what happens when the DUST players can shoot back, too. ;)

  • will this game be restricted to the buying account?

  • @Arkafazin

    I think Eve players are mostly neutral at this point as Eve players really don’t curretnly interact with the planets Dust players will be fighting over. The only way eve players interact with planets is through the Planetary Interaction (ie PI) feature. Think of this as Farmville or a extremely basic SIMS. Most of the Dust content will be new to Eve.

    I think the biggest challenge will be having Dust groups joining forces with Eve groups. It will be hard to find each other at first as the in-game tools for finding corporations are rather pathetic. Most of the that communication takes place on third part forums/usergroups which probably won’t cross into the same circles as the third party forums/usergroups that Dust player frequent.

  • I’m even more excited now, having MCC’s adds a very deep level of strategy. One of my main goals will definately be to make it to a commander rank so I can run the battlefield, I wiould be very good agt giving orders and strategy. Looking forward to partner up with EVE corporations as well. I would want my team or squad to have an impecable reputation so to get paid top dollar by EVE corporations to complete there contracts.

  • I must get all my other games out of me, when this hits that’s it for me. This game looks amazing. I will give you a blank check to fill in any amount you desire to get it on the beta.

  • CCP does have a long standing tradition of being awesome. Its almost as awesome as your cropped avatar, you’d think they’d knew how to create an avatar that doesnt stretch out the logo -.-

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