Dust 514′s Success Could Set Tone for Sony’s Next Gen Plans

EVE Online has always been a daunting, fascinating phenomenon in the gaming world. As unique experiences grow rare, the eight year old universe created by CCP Games has managed to create and nourish a community of passionate spacefaring players. This is, in large part, due to the developer’s responsiveness to the community and their commitment to letting users dictate the course of the game.

[Godmars290]

I get the feeling that Dust 514's "success" will amount to a few million dedicated players, nothing near COD's user numbers, and the gaming media at large will excessively call it a failure.

[stage88]

It's a good thing you can't predict the future then.

[smashcrashbash]

Does that really matter? A few million players add to a lot of people playing the game. What does it matter if it doesn't reach COD numbers? Not to mention you seem to forget that it is free to play which is a huge factor as opposed to COD.

[Persistantthug]

Do you realise how many mmo developers would KILL to reach "A FEW MILLION?"

Almost all of them........CCP (EVE) included.

[Godmars290]

I'm realizing by the disagrees to my comment many people don't understand what I said. That the typical crowd who dissed on the 3DS and now the Vita will do the same to DUST 514 the first time it suffers a user drop one less than COD after having twice as much traffic.

Honestly, as much as MMOs on consoles have gotten talked up each and every time one's hinted to come to the 360, how they're going to be game changers, few if any gaming journalist talk about how they're doing on the PS3. You never hear how Free Realms for instance, but supposedly it has WoW numbers. And DUST 514 is likely to do that well.

Point is, despite what I suggested earlier, if its user numbers aren't up to COD levels, the reviewer community at large will likely pan it. That is if they report on it at all.

[SuperStrokey1123]

I would be shocked (i a good way) if it got to several million. I jsut dont see that happening.

[falcon262]

I hope its a success, (if its well earned). But with Starhawk marching quietly out the gate, I feel for Sonys/SOE MMO's sometimes.

[Ducky]

Considering it's CCP that's handling most of it, and that they have an existing fanbase with EVE, I'd figure Dust514 would get a bit more exposure.

Being a F2P also helps.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Dust 514 will have little bearing on Sony's next gen plans. What will have a major bearing is the current "rumor" for them purchasing a cloud gaming service and integrating that with the current PS3 and Vita.

[SaffronCurse]

Should be an interesting conference if that's the case, also they plan on revamping their current subscription service ps+.

[Persistantthug]

DUST 514 is the first AAA budget f2p game ever specifically made for consoles. Sony and many other developers are watching VERY closely to see how and if it can actually work.

Furthermore,
You know how lots of ilinformed people claim regular PSN will one day be a mandatory paid service?
Well, although I realize DUST 514 isn't the only game (apps too) with PSN's/SEN's "FREE" future on its shoulders, but if DUST 514 does stellar business....... it will prove PSN never 'HAS TO HAVE' a fee.

Then you can bet many other games and developers will want to try their hand at free AAA games, both mmos and even possibly regular games.

There's alot riding on DUST 514.

[Virtual_Reality]

Can't wait to see the new build at E3.

[titans9999]

This could be bad in one instance.....look what happened to the SOCOM franchise, now they are taking down the servers, which means all the people that paid for SOCOM Confrontation lose out...and the game is now...worth....NOTHING....you cant even play single player....

I'm just saying....hopefully the single player gameing will never die...!!!

Dont get me wrong though, I do like co op - but games should always include some type of single player experience off line!

[TooTall19]

Confrontation servers aren't coming down yet.

[SuperStrokey1123]

Dust has win written all over it, it looks fantastic. People playing the game is an entirely different matter though.