Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[PSN Tuesday: Metro: Last Light, Dust 514, Jacob Jones]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/14/psn-tuesday-metro-last-light-dust-514-jacob-jones/#comments
It's quite the week for content on Sony platforms, with several major releases making their debut on the PlayStation Network today. Metro: Last Light, the 4A Games' sequel salvaged by Deep Silver, launches today. If you haven't had a chance to read our review yet, be sure to give that a gander.

It's joined by CCP's EVE Online offshoot (get it?) Dust 514, available free to all PSN users. Jacob Jones and the Bigfoot Mystery eases its way onto PS Vita today as a $3 download, while Rockstar makes good on its promised Manhunt for $10.

PlayStation Plus subscribers' freebie this week is Knytt Underground, which is flanked by discounts on both Metro: Last Light and a special pre-order price on Grid 2. For the full list of what's in this week's content dump, hit up the PS Blog through the source link below.

JoystiqPSN Tuesday: Metro: Last Light, Dust 514, Jacob Jones originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 May 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4a-gamesccpcodemastersdust-514grid-2jacob-jones-and-the-bigfoot-mysterymanhuntmetro-last-lightplaystationplaystation-vitaps3psn-tuesdaypsprockstarsonyvitaTue, 14 May 2013 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 launching May 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launching-may-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launching-may-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/dust-514-launching-may-14/#comments Dust 514, CCP's console companion to EVE Online, will cease its open beta operations and begin life as an officially released PlayStation 3 game on Wednesday, May 14, according to the game's official Twitter account. Get it? May 14? A date that could be written as 5/14 if one were so inclined?

See, because the game is called Dust 514, and ... You know what? Never mind. Dust 514 will be free-to-play when it launches, so curious folk can become a tiny, infinitesimal speck in EVE Online's vast shared universe without having to open their wallets.

JoystiqDust 514 launching May 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CCPCCP-Gamesdust-514playstationps3PSNSat, 27 Apr 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP shows off Oculus Rift space combat concept]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/ccp-shows-off-oculus-rift-space-combat-concept/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/ccp-shows-off-oculus-rift-space-combat-concept/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/ccp-shows-off-oculus-rift-space-combat-concept/#comments
Icelandic development studio CCP showed off a spaceship dogfighting demo, developed with Oculus Rift in mind and on face, during its Fanfest keynote livestream today. CCP didn't confirm whether or not this concept was indicative of an upcoming game, or whether it would tie into Eve Online, much like its FPS, Dust 514.

JoystiqCCP shows off Oculus Rift space combat concept originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeveeve-onlineeve-online-fanfest-2013fanfest-2013pcFri, 26 Apr 2013 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 dev diary and screens dig into closed beta's vehicular warfare]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/dust-514-dev-diary-and-screens-dig-into-closed-betas-vehicular/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/dust-514-dev-diary-and-screens-dig-into-closed-betas-vehicular/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/22/dust-514-dev-diary-and-screens-dig-into-closed-betas-vehicular/#comments
This dev diary and gallery of screenshots focuses on the vehicles roaming around the closed beta of Dust 514, EVE Online's interconnected sibling shooter on PS3 and Vita. Also, make sure you watch the video's intro closely.

Gallery: Dust 514 (11/21/12)

JoystiqDust 514 dev diary and screens dig into closed beta's vehicular warfare originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdust-514playstationplaystation-vitaps3vitaThu, 22 Nov 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 open beta in early 2013; earn 'Double SP' in closed beta until Nov. 8]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/dust-514-open-beta-in-early-2013-earn-double-sp-in-closed-bet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/dust-514-open-beta-in-early-2013-earn-double-sp-in-closed-bet/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/02/dust-514-open-beta-in-early-2013-earn-double-sp-in-closed-bet/#comments During an online multiplayer session pitting CCP against media, the developer's Chief Marketing Officer David Reid noted that the Dust 514 closed beta will continue throughout 2012.

"We'll be in closed beta for the rest of the year," Reid reiteratted to Joystiq following sessions of the free-to-play, PS3-exclusive shooter. "While determining the precise date for commencing open beta definitely will depend on player feedback, we're feeling confident that it won't be much longer after year end."

Reid wouldn't tell us precisely how many users have participated in the closed beta, which had been available to download for PlayStation Plus members earlier this year; however, he said the team has welcomed "hundreds of thousands of people" into the game since launching in August. Users can register for access on the game's website.

CCP seems intent to take its time with the game, with Reid citing the team's desire to run what they "think of as a 'real beta,'" a point expanded upon in our August preview of the game.

"Given the technical complexity of being the first developer to ever connect a console game to a live running PC MMO [EVE Online]. This takes time to ensure we're meeting the quality bar we've set for ourselves and our players expect, and we're committed to doing this right."

To keep Dust 514 closed beta participants locked into the game's large-scale battles, CCP is holding a 'Double Skill Point' event from now until November 8. Servers are online each day of the week at almost 24 hours a day, save for a regular daily maintenance window.

JoystiqDust 514 open beta in early 2013; earn 'Double SP' in closed beta until Nov. 8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CCPCCP-Gamesclosed-betadust-514playstationps3Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 beta available now to PS Plus members in North America, tomorrow in Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/dust-514-beta-available-now-to-ps-plus-members-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/dust-514-beta-available-now-to-ps-plus-members-in-north-america/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/21/dust-514-beta-available-now-to-ps-plus-members-in-north-america/#comments 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.

JoystiqDust 514 beta available now to PS Plus members in North America, tomorrow in Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CCPCCP-Gamesdust-514playstationps3Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 Neocom PS Vita companion app details drop from orbit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/dust-514-neocom-ps-vita-companion-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/dust-514-neocom-ps-vita-companion-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/20/dust-514-neocom-ps-vita-companion-app/#comments Dust 514 Neocom PS Vita companion app details drop from orbitDust 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.

JoystiqDust 514 Neocom PS Vita companion app details drop from orbit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514dust-514-neocomplaystationplaystation-vitaps3vitaMon, 20 Aug 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514's $20 'Mercenary Pack' lets you play the game right now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/dust-514s-20-mercenary-pack-lets-you-play-the-game-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/dust-514s-20-mercenary-pack-lets-you-play-the-game-right-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/26/dust-514s-20-mercenary-pack-lets-you-play-the-game-right-now/#comments If your patience refuses to be shackled by the Icelandic wooing of CCP's launch date-less Dust 514, the developer has a rogue way for you to get into its closed beta early: $20. The "Mercenary Pack" offers more than early access to the game's currently closed beta, but we're guessing a list of gun names and XP bonuses aren't getting you all hot and bothered (in case they do, we've dropped all that info after the break).

Interestingly, the pack sounds an awful lot like CCP's original pricing plan for Dust 514. CCP reps told us at Gamescom last year, "You effectively pay what we call a 'cover charge,' we're looking at likely around $20 for the initial download. That download gets you the game client plus a bundle of virtual currency which has the equivalent in-game value of $20." Since then, Dust 514 became free-to-play, eliminating the need for a "cover charge" system.

The Mercenary Pack also includes 4,000 AUR ($20 of in-game currency), which - wouldn't you know it - was planned as part of Dust's original pricing strategy. The pack should become available on PlayStation Network - for $19.99/€17.99/£15.99, depending on your territory - at some point today when PSN updates.

Gallery: Dust 514 (Merc Pack)

Continue reading Dust 514's $20 'Mercenary Pack' lets you play the game right now

JoystiqDust 514's $20 'Mercenary Pack' lets you play the game right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdust-514free-to-playmercenary-packplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnTue, 26 Jun 2012 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[High-end gear in Dust 514 costs 24 cents in real money]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/high-end-gear-in-dust-514-costs-24-cents-in-real-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/high-end-gear-in-dust-514-costs-24-cents-in-real-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/18/high-end-gear-in-dust-514-costs-24-cents-in-real-money/#comments Highend gear in Dust 514 might cost just 24 cents in real lifeCCP Vice President Morgan Godat has revealed the real-world cost of a high-end set of gear in the upcoming EVE Online companion, Dust 514, and it might be cheaper than you expect: About 24 cents. If you were to equip a character in the game with some of the highest-level gear out there and send them out into battle with equipment all purchased directly with real money, it would really only cost you a cent less than a quarter.

But that figure is a little misleading, unfortunately, on both ends. On the one hand, that's the cost to equip a character once. When you die (which you'll do a lot in the match-based first-person shooter), you'll have to rebuy all of that gear, so players will probably buy their guns and armor by the hundreds or even thousands, not just one set at a time.

And just like EVE Online, most of the gear in the game will be purchasable with in-game cash, called Isk, not just real-money purchased gold, called Aurum. EVE Online players will even be able to buy gear for Dust 514 players, so if you're a great shooter some ship jockey might fund your gear bill once the two games are finally connected. Dust 514 is currently heading into a series of betas (so these costs are still in flux anyway), and readying itself for a launch later this year.

JoystiqHigh-end gear in Dust 514 costs 24 cents in real money originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514eve-onlineitemsplaystationps3real-moneytradingMon, 18 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online players can use in-game currency to pay for real-life graphics cards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/eve-online-players-can-use-in-game-currency-to-pay-for-real-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/eve-online-players-can-use-in-game-currency-to-pay-for-real-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/26/eve-online-players-can-use-in-game-currency-to-pay-for-real-life/#comments Play vidyagames, get real stuff for vidyagames: That's how the EVE Online PLEX-for-graphics-cards thing works. Good night, everyone!

OK, fine, in more detail this time: CCP Games, the developer behind EVE Online, has struck a deal with Nvidia for players to use in-game currency -- PLEX -- to purchase GeForce 560 GTX graphics cards, which run almost $200 at retail. That's fake money for real items, folks. Nvidia and CCP will start by selling 100 graphics cards (limit one per EVE account) to test the demand. After CCP announced its Nvidia deal, the in-game price of PLEX jumped "significantly," CCP said.

PLEX (Pilot License Extension) is an in-game currency that can be used to pay for 30-day EVE subscriptions. PLEX can be purchased with ISK, EVE's main currency that can be earned throughout the game, meaning some dedicated players end up with a free subscription each month. Now they may end up with a "free" graphics card as well.

JoystiqEVE Online players can use in-game currency to pay for real-life graphics cards originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpCCP-Gamescurrencyeve-onlinegraphicsgraphics-cardin-game-currencymoneynvidiapcMon, 26 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP considering the cloud, wants to put EVE gameplay on mobile devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/25/ccp-considering-the-cloud-wants-to-put-eve-gameplay-on-mobile-d/#comments EVE Online developer CCP is looking for a way to bring its Internet spaceships into the cloud. CCP's chief marketing officer David Reid said at last week's Fanfest in Iceland that the company is in talks with OnLive, Gaikai, and other services to try to bring the popular space simulation MMO to one of their platforms.

Reid said there "isn't some giant announcement" for release on any other platforms but PC and Mac at this time. But he also said CCP is thinking about ways to bring elements of EVE, including the upcoming Planetary Interaction system (in which players can set up to harvest resources from virtual planets) "finding their ways to tablets and mobile devices." CCP is considering a number of ways to do that, and "to add new sorts of experiences" to the game.

JoystiqCCP considering the cloud, wants to put EVE gameplay on mobile devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpcloudcloud-gamingeve-onlinegaikaimobile-devicesonliveservicessmartphonestabletsSun, 25 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 goes free-to-play, Vita version a 'companion app']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/dust-514-goes-free-to-play-vita-version-a-companion-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/dust-514-goes-free-to-play-vita-version-a-companion-app/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/04/dust-514-goes-free-to-play-vita-version-a-companion-app/#comments Dust 514, the upcoming PSN exclusive MMOFPS connected both figuratively and literally to the EVE Online universe, will launch with a $0.00 price tag, according to Eurogamer. Originally, the game was to launch at $20.00, and the player would be pseudo-reimbursed with $20.00 worth of in-game currency. "We wanted to make it unambiguously that this is a free-to-play game," CCP's Brandon Laurino told Eurogamer. "We probably will still have some kind of pack like that."

The game will still be supported through microtransactions, as was always the plan, although Laurino remains adamant that Dust 514 is "not a pay to win game," and that nothing available for purchase will provide an unfair advantage.

Dust 514's Vita iteration won't be exactly the same as the newly free-to-play PS3 version. Laurino told Eurogamer that the Vita game will be a "companion app," with functionality including character customization, shopping, and setting up "strategies" with other players, all interfacing with the PS3 game.

The Vita may get other exciting functions like "playing a video game" later, as the app will be progressively upgraded. "As we continue to explore what the possibilities are, between Vita and PS3, of which there are many, we'll keep updating the app with stuff like that over time," Laurino said. As for a launch simultaneous with the PS3 game, "We haven't decided that yet."

JoystiqDust 514 goes free-to-play, Vita version a 'companion app' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpCCP-Gamesdust-514EVE-Onlineplaystationps3PSNSun, 04 Mar 2012 19:37:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP launching EVE character names and pictures into space via giant balloon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/ccp-launching-eve-character-names-and-pictures-into-space-via-gi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/ccp-launching-eve-character-names-and-pictures-into-space-via-gi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/ccp-launching-eve-character-names-and-pictures-into-space-via-gi/#comments Well, it's not technically space, but it's as close as you can get without the help of some Russian rocketeers and their flying machines. As a token of gratitude, the Icelandic MMO moguls at CCP will be placing the names and pictures of every currently subscribed player character in EVE Online (as of 23:59 GMT tonight) into a capsule, which will then be sent into near-space via high-altitude balloon.

High-altitude balloons cannot actually leave the Earth's atmosphere and enter legit outer-space, but they are capable of traveling hundreds of thousands of feet into the air; high enough to see the curvature of the Earth against the blackness of space. The event will take place during CCP's own Fanfest 2012 in beautiful Reykjavik, Iceland.

JoystiqCCP launching EVE character names and pictures into space via giant balloon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balloonCCPCCP-Gameseve-onlinefanfest-2012high-altitude-balloonicelandmacnear-spacepcreykjavikspaceSat, 31 Dec 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 preview: Contractual murder]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/dust-514-preview-contractual-murder/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/dust-514-preview-contractual-murder/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/dust-514-preview-contractual-murder/#comments Here's that Gamescom preview where I tell you how shocked I was about a game I didn't expect to be all about. You've been warned. Still with me? Great. Dust 514, a first-person shooter MMO cross-platform experience from CCP Games, is without a doubt the biggest surprise for me of Gamescom. At the end of a long week of previewing dozens of games, I didn't expect to be blown away by the little hyped game from the Icelandic devs at CCP, but here we are.

As promised, Dust 514 ties the bizarre, often unbelievable world of EVE Online and its reality reflecting politics into an instanced first-person shooter MMO, seamlessly combining both games into a universe ("New Eden") that's been thriving for years now on PC. But CCP did more than offer lofty promises in a preview session I attended earlier today in a private hotel suite near Gamescom -- a team of devs from various CCP offices demonstrated the madness in real-time.

Make no mistake, Dust 514 is no Huxley. It's a very real MMOFPS with very deep economics and political systems tied to EVE Online, and it's already incredibly impressive, even though it's not set to launch until next summer.

Gallery: Dust 514

Continue reading Dust 514 preview: Contractual murder

JoystiqDust 514 preview: Contractual murder originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdust-514eve-onlinegamescomgamescom-2011playstationps3Sat, 20 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Here's how Dust 514's microtransactions work on your PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/heres-how-dust-514s-microtransactions-work-on-your-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/heres-how-dust-514s-microtransactions-work-on-your-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/20/heres-how-dust-514s-microtransactions-work-on-your-ps3/#comments When Dust 514 was revealed back in 2009, its Icelandic devs at CCP also explained that it'll be microtransaction-based when it launches sometime next summer. Given that the game is now heading exclusively to Sony's PlayStation 3, I couldn't help but wonder exactly how PlayStation Network would handle microtransaction purchases in the game, not to mention what kind of price point Dust 514 would launch at given its business model.

"You effectively pay what we call a 'cover charge,' we're looking at likely around $20 for the initial download. That download gets you the game client plus a bundle of virtual currency which has the equivalent in-game value of $20. So you're basically getting that bundle of cash that you're using to start the game, and from there if you choose to play for free and just grind, you're welcome to do that. But of course we know a lot of people will convert," a CCP rep explained to me this afternoon. As of now, the plan is to release Dust 514 exclusively via the PlayStation Network.

Additionally, the player-driven marketplace so popular in CCP's other big MMO, EVE Online, will also be made available to Dust 514 folks, giving gamers a chance to build up their virtual empires without the use of their hard-earned spondulicks. "Bought currency items and non-currency items can be freely exchanged between the players," creative director Atli Mar Sveinsson added. To CCP, the free flow of the two marketplaces will keep the user base from splitting into two separate factions. "It avoids the buy/win problem that some microtransaction-based games have."

Like EVE Online, CCP expects some players to never even touch the actual first-person shooter gameplay of Dust 514, and simply spend all their time acting as virtual businesspeople. "I wouldn't be surprised if we get quite a few EVE players that join Dust but actually don't play Dust at all, they're just on the market speculating ... and they never go into a match," the rep added with a laugh. Here we go again!

Gallery: Dust 514

JoystiqHere's how Dust 514's microtransactions work on your PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdust-514eve-onlinegamescomgamescom-2011Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LulzSec attacks Escapist Magazine, EVE Online, and Minecraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/lulzsec-attacks-escapist-magazine-eve-online-and-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/lulzsec-attacks-escapist-magazine-eve-online-and-minecraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/lulzsec-attacks-escapist-magazine-eve-online-and-minecraft/#comments Hacker group LulzSec, the same group that's attacked Sony and Nintendo in the past, has tweeted that it's committed three distributed denial of service attacks against gaming companies today, bringing down EVE Online's Tranquility server, Minecraft's multiplayer services, and the Escapist Magazine's website. EVE Online's CCP has confirmed both the outage and the attack, the Escapist is unreachable at the moment, and Minecraft creator Notch says that things were down, but supposedly service has been restored.

LulzSec hasn't shared a reason for the attacks just yet, but we can only guess it's, as they say, "for teh lulz."

Update: The group has gone after Riot Games' League of Legends servers as well. Attempting to log in to the game gives a "server busy" message, though there's no official word from the company yet.

Update: Statement from CCP after the break. EVE Online still seems to be down.

Continue reading LulzSec attacks Escapist Magazine, EVE Online, and Minecraft

JoystiqLulzSec attacks Escapist Magazine, EVE Online, and Minecraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attackccpddoseve-onlinehackhackinglulzsecminecraftofflinepcserviceTue, 14 Jun 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/ccp-shares-big-plans-for-dust-514-and-eve-online-at-e3/#comments The MMO market may be dominated by World of Warcraft, but while other games have come and gone, there's always been one other constant in massively multiplayer games: Icelandic company CCP's EVE Online. Since 2003, CCP has kept EVE's gigantic galactic server Tranquility going, allowing the game's over 350,000 users to fly around, blow up ships, trade and earn ISK, and make this virtual world that has held over 60,000 players together at one time surprisingly real.

But that's not enough for CCP. EVE has always been singled out for its precipitous difficulty curve -- because the game faithfully models everything from power management and targeting systems to realtime stocks and industrial economics, it's a tough climb for new players not necessarily interested in the ins and outs of advanced capacitor control schemes.

Enter Dust 514, then, a brand new game being developed by CCP that's designed to scoop up all of those players who've been scared away by the learning curve in EVE Online. What's the opposite of a hardcore, complicated, PC MMO? Apparently it's a massively multiplayer first-person shooter, available only on Sony's PlayStation 3. (Extensions of the game are set to be released as well, including one on the new PS Vita.)

Gallery: Dust 514/EVE Online (E3 2011)

Continue reading CCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3

JoystiqCCP shares big plans for Dust 514 and EVE Online at E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514e3e3-2011eve-onlineicelandplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitaps3pspshootersonyvitaMon, 13 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 E3 trailer, details drop into view]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/dust-514-e3-trailer-details-drop-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/dust-514-e3-trailer-details-drop-into-view/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/dust-514-e3-trailer-details-drop-into-view/#comments The E3 trailer for Dust 514 has been deployed by the PlayStation Blog, giving us a glimpse at the now PS3 exclusive shooter. Dust 514 is a persistent shooter, where the universe goes on through your absence and impacts EVE Online on the PC/Mac platforms.

This is achieved through territorial control over planets -- your performance dynamically shifts the power balance on these worlds, affecting the pilots in EVE Online. But it goes both ways: events in EVE Online can affect the make-up of any particular world.

On top of that, Dust 514 will have a largely similar economy of that in EVE Online, employing virtual goods and a single person overseer responsible for monitoring the game's economy. And when it comes to expansions, CCP promises free expansion packs, development of which will be fueled by players spending real world money in-game.

Hit the jump for the E3 trailer, and check out PlayStation Blog for more from the game's community manager, James Egan.

Continue reading Dust 514 E3 trailer, details drop into view

JoystiqDust 514 E3 trailer, details drop into view originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514e3e3-2011playstationps3Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 is a PS3 exclusive]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/dust-514-is-a-ps3-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/dust-514-is-a-ps3-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/dust-514-is-a-ps3-exclusive/#comments A CCP spokesperson took to the stage during the Sony E3 2011 press conference to confirm that the upcoming MMO Dust 514 would be a PlayStation exclusive. Along with a release on the console, CCP and Sony will be extending the universe with a dedicated space in PlayStation Home, Move support on the PS3 and some kind of extension of the game on NGP.

Dust 514 will launch next summer (though Jack Tretton says spring of 2012). A closed beta will launch exclusively on PlayStation Network at the end of this year.

JoystiqDust 514 is a PS3 exclusive originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514e3e3-2011mmongpplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitaMon, 06 Jun 2011 21:06:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online gambling group robbed of 125 billion ISK and a friend]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/eve-online-gambling-group-robbed-of-125-billion-isk-and-a-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/eve-online-gambling-group-robbed-of-125-billion-isk-and-a-friend/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/18/eve-online-gambling-group-robbed-of-125-billion-isk-and-a-friend/#comments Much of EVE Online's MMO gameplay is governed by the in-game economy, and whenever you've got large amounts of virtual money (ISK, in EVE's terms) passed around, you're going to have a little theft from time to time. It happened again just recently, when a group of players called Somer.Blink (named after founder Somer), who'd been running some in-game lotteries, had 125 billion ISK worth of cash and items stolen out of one of their in-game safehouses. Like most MMO schemes of this nature, someone had access who shouldn't have, and in this case it was a player called Daquaris. Daq, as his former friends call him, had been a trusted member of an in-game alliance a while ago, and was one of the players responsible for handing out lottery prizes. He decided to end that trust, though -- he grabbed the items and cash out of the group's Jita hangar and split, eventually selling it back to the group for billions of ISK in ransom.

Don't worry about Somer.Blink, though -- they're actually pretty blasé about the crime, and say they're more bummed about the lost friend than the lost materials. "Had Daq asked for exactly the things he had stolen, Somer would have given them unflinchingly, without a doubt," says one member of the group. "Blink can always earn more ISK, it's the loss of someone we trusted as a valued part of the business, and a long time friend." Go figure -- in a game mostly about spaceships and spreadsheets, turns out it's the people who matter most.

JoystiqEVE Online gambling group robbed of 125 billion ISK and a friend originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeve-onlineiskmmopcrobberytheftThu, 18 Nov 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online raising money for Pakistan flood victims]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/eve-online-raising-money-for-pakistan-flood-victims/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/eve-online-raising-money-for-pakistan-flood-victims/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/21/eve-online-raising-money-for-pakistan-flood-victims/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a second act of charity springing from the eerily lifelike financial depths of EVE Online, players are being offered a chance to donate to victims of flooding in Pakistan using 30-day subscription codes (or "PLEX") as currency. The game's proprietor, CCP Games, will convert the month's worth of playtime into actual, real-life dollars -- worth between $11-$15 each, depending on the subscription plan -- which will then be given to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. Players are allowed to donate as many times as they'd like.

CCP raised over $40,000 for Haiti during its last PLEX donation drive, though we're sure the game's economically studious players can do even better this time around. Right?! That said, we should probably note that CCP sees "any scamming attempts surrounding this effort to be morally reprehensible" and warns that "they will be met with swiftest action." For specific details on the donation process, the CCP dev blog and FAQ page have more.

JoystiqEVE Online raising money for Pakistan flood victims originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamescharitydonationeve-onlinepakistanpcplexTue, 21 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online devs opening new UK studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/eve-online-devs-opening-new-uk-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/eve-online-devs-opening-new-uk-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/28/eve-online-devs-opening-new-uk-studio/#comments Other than birthing one of our favorite female singers and one of our favorite unicorns, Iceland isn't a country that comes up a lot around Joystiq. Today, however, we've got one such occasion where Iceland-based CCP -- developer of EVE Online and upcoming MMO FPS Dust 514 -- was able to bring our Scandinavian friends to the front page. According to a GamesIndustry.biz report, the developer is expanding, announcing plans to open a new studio in Newcastle, UK.

Apparently the studio will be "initially targeting" a 10 - 20 person head count, with a handful of ex-Midway Newcastle employees being picked up in the process. Additionally, the company confirmed that the UK-based offices would be targeting "current and future" console projects, rather than the PC-focused content CCP has been known for in the past. Presumably, this means the aforementioned MMO FPS, said to be headed to current-gen systems. With a mess of trade shows in the not-so-distant future, we'll likely see what CCP has cooking fairly soon.

JoystiqEVE Online devs opening new UK studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gamesdust-514eve-onlineicelandmidway-newcastlemmommofpsnewcastleukSun, 28 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dust 514 trailer: see the MMO FPS of the MMO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/dust-514-trailer-see-the-mmo-fps-of-the-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/dust-514-trailer-see-the-mmo-fps-of-the-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/09/dust-514-trailer-see-the-mmo-fps-of-the-mmo/#commentsIf you like the setting of Eve Online, but don't find the dense, economics-heavy gameplay scintillating, CCP is making Dust 514 just for you. You can still inhabit the Eve universe, but you're pretty much just shooting guns at it instead of destroying financial systems.

Unfortunately, while the kind of grim space setting is fairly unique for an MMO (as is just about everything about Eve), it's kind of ... well-heeled in the FPS world. As in, there's nothing particularly novel about seeing an FPS that takes place in a gritty sci-fi world. That said, this looks like a good ... one of those, and the MMO idea and Eve integration still manage to be interesting. And in general, we like the idea of using the same universe to express totally different game concepts -- like how WWE Crush Hour spun off from the wrestling games. Bad example.

Download in HD (84MB)

JoystiqDust 514 trailer: see the MMO FPS of the MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514eve-onlinefpsMicrosoftmmoXbox-360Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[FYI: CCP announces 'Dust 514,' FPS RTS MMO in Eve universe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/fyi-ccp-announces-dust-514-fps-rts-mmo-in-eve-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/fyi-ccp-announces-dust-514-fps-rts-mmo-in-eve-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/fyi-ccp-announces-dust-514-fps-rts-mmo-in-eve-universe/#comments Eve Online developer CCP has officially announced its next project: Dust 514, a console-based MMO set in the world of Eve. CCP CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson said today during GDC Europe that the game will be a hybrid first-person shooter and real-time strategy game. Gamespot UK notes that the title has been in development for three years at CCP Shanghai. Pétursson did not discuss which consoles would be the first to gather Dust 514.

Hints of Dust 514's emergence have been knocking around the online universe since earlier this month. We'll update as we get more information.

JoystiqFYI: CCP announces 'Dust 514,' FPS RTS MMO in Eve universe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpdust-514fpsgdc-europegdc-europe-2009hilmar-veigar-peturssonmmommofpsrtsomgpeturssonrtsTue, 18 Aug 2009 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online devs to birth FPS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/eve-online-devs-to-birth-fps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/eve-online-devs-to-birth-fps/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/10/eve-online-devs-to-birth-fps/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We don't, exactly, know anyone who plays EVE Online, but we imagine they might be excited by the news that developer CCP is working on a first-person shooter set within the EVE universe. We hope they're excited, because we just don't know what to think.

After a torrential downpour over the past couple of months, our gut reaction is "No! Stop! No more games!" but we guess it could have promise. We'd be especially open to it if they planned on introducing some MMO elements, to fill the hole Planetside left in our hearts when we stopped caring about it.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqEVE Online devs to birth FPS originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpeve-onlinePCPS3Xbox-360Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online source code stolen, seeded]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/eve-online-source-code-stolen-seeded/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/eve-online-source-code-stolen-seeded/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/15/eve-online-source-code-stolen-seeded/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Space piracy has transformed into actual piracy, as source code for EVE Online has been stolen and unleashed onto the web via torrent. While it may not be the full source code -- one Slashdot commenter said it was just Python source -- developer CCP is expectedly none too happy.

According to Community Manager "CCP Wrangler" on the official forums, "Anyone found distributing or discussing decompiled client code will face an in game ban." As to how they know who's distributing the code, various reports say CCP is seeding the torrent themselves and using the associated IP to ban the related accounts. Now that's just dirty.

[Via Massively]

JoystiqEVE Online source code stolen, seeded originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinePCTue, 15 Apr 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PC impressions: EVE Online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/pc-impressions-eve-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/pc-impressions-eve-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/11/pc-impressions-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Three years after its launch, EVE Online has racked up 100,000 players and a dedicated fanbase. Developer CCP is in the midst of a graphical revamp, upgrading the game's look and feel without increasing its system requirements.

As a game where it takes months to even learn to fly a ship, let alone build it, there's a refreshing contrast to the instant gratification of some other MMOs. Skills are learnt in real-time, rather than based on level, but specialisation options and the power of numbers mean new players can stand alongside older ones.

Continue reading PC impressions: EVE Online

JoystiqPC impressions: EVE Online originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 May 2006 23:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100kccpccp gamesCcpGamese3e32006eveeve onlineEveOnlinemmommorpgPCscifispaceThu, 11 May 2006 23:50:00 EST