Dust 514

Dust 514 was a free-to-play massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) for the PlayStation 3 that was directly integrated with the PC-based space MMO, EVE Online. Players took on the role of immortal ground-based mercenaries fighting on the surfaces of planets in the shared New Eden universe. 

Key Features

• Shared Persistent Universe: Player actions in Dust 514 had a real-time impact on the political and economic landscape of EVE Online, and vice-versa. EVE Online players (capsuleers) could hire Dust 514 mercenary corporations for planetary battles, and even provide real-time orbital bombardments during ground combat.

• Gameplay Mechanics: The game featured large-scale, team-based battles (up to 24 vs. 24, with potential for more) involving infantry, light attack vehicles (LAVs), heavy attack vehicles (HAVs), and dropships. Gameplay modes included objectives like seizing control points or destroying the enemy's Mobile Command Center (MCC).

• Deep Customization and Progression: Inspired by EVE Online's systems, Dust 514 offered extensive character progression through a complex skill tree and a modular "dropsuit" fitting system, which allowed players to customize their class and equipment loadouts (weapons, armor, modules).

• Risk and Reward Economy: The game used a free-to-play model with two currencies, ISK (in-game earned) and Aurum (purchased with real money). A significant feature was that players would lose their equipped items upon death, which had to be repurchased with ISK, adding a layer of risk to each battle.

• Cross-Game Interaction: Both EVE Online and Dust 514 players could join the same corporations (guilds) and communicate in real-time across both games to coordinate strategies and territorial control.