Today is a special day for everybody in New Eden (capsuleer and mercenary alike).
Two years ago today, DUST 514 was officially released on Sony’s Playstation 3. It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since this game came out of beta, and changed so many people’s gaming lives. I recall getting a code to the beta (I don’t remember if it was closed or open. I want to say open though, because the code was in a PS3 bundle), downloading it, playing the game for about 2 weeks, and quitting. The character whom I had created I biomassed before deleting the game from my system, unfortunately. I did not touch DUST again until May 30th, 2013 (16 days after release). I created Aiwha Bait. I don’t remember what Uprising patch that was (maybe 1.0 or 1.1), but I will say it is the most fun I have ever had playing a first-person shooter game by myself. I am not a shooter player by any stretch of the imagination. You can ask my corp mates. They’ll quickly back me up. Something kept me interested in the game, and “I cannot put my finger on it now”, to use the words of Pink Floyd. All I can say is that I’m glad I stuck with it.
If I had to briefly sum up the past two years of DUST, it would be something like this:
- Uprising 1.0
- OH MY GOD! CALDARI PRIME!
- Planetary Conquest
- Oh, look! Templar suits
- The Beloved Daily Bonus
- The Squad Cup
- Introduction of the Rail Rifle and Combat Rifle
- Rouge Wedding.
This (the Rouge Wedding) is the single most important, and darkest time, in the history of DUST 514. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of players know this day as the announcement of Project Legion, the replacement of DUST 514 on the PC. This single event created a deep resentment towards CCP Games and the DUST 514 development team at CCP Shanghai. This resentment can still be seen today, over a year later. Several players went as far as biomassing their characters. CCP Rouge was never to be heard from again.
But, lo! In the midst of the chaos, a saviour descended from the sky! His name is CCP Rattati. It is under his guidance and leadership that DUST continued to flourish and prosper, even a year after the announcement of Project Legion. On a side note, it has been about 256 days since there has been any news of Project Legion. Special thanks to Aeon Amadi for that lovely tick counter, by the way.
According to CCP, a total of 937 votes were cast during the CPM1 election.
- There were some events which resulted in officer weapons
- APEX Prototype BPO Dropsuits
- Expansion! Warlords 1.0 Released February 3rd, 2015
- Player to Player Trading Introduced in Warlords 1.1
- SKIN Modules
Whew! Look at all that! So much has happened (for better or worse) in these past two years that DUST 514 has officially been released. It sure has been one hell of a ride, let me tell you. It has been a joy to watch this game evolve from what it was, to the diamond in the rough that it is now.
I want to take a brief-ish moment to give some shout-outs to the people who have helped make this game enjoyable for me personally. I’d like to give a big shout-out to CCP Games for even considering making such a game. To CCP Rouge for taking the reigns early on. To CCP Rattati for giving this game, that affects so many people on a daily basis, new life. A new meaning and a sense of purpose. Shout-out to the development and community teams. I’m not even going to attempt to name you all off by name, but you know exactly who you are. You are the reason this game is what it is. Your hard work, your curse words when something does not work the way it was meant to work, your sleepless nights, your overtime, and your dedication have helped make this game something very, very special. DUST 514 will always occupy a special place in my heart as one of the greatest first-person shooter games I have ever played. Does the game have its flaws? Yes! Could it be better? Of course! But with such an awesome development team behind it, and a wonderful executive producer, DUST will continue to be a unique experience.
I’d also like to shout-out some players that have become very good friends of mine in these two years. Shout-out to everybody of the corporation formerly known as Max-Pain-Inc. of the Dark Taboo alliance. You guys were fun to run with. It was good while it lasted. Shout-out to everybody in my current corporation, Demonic Cowboys. Shout-out to Iron, Don, Dirt, Giz-Rouge-Lops, Silent, Lucky, Garra, Feds, Areilius (I know I butchered the name, all apologies), Dave, and anybody I missed. You all have added the depth that CCP wanted in the game; that player to player interaction. The past year I have known you all has been blissful. We’ve shared so many laughs, hosted numerous fight clubs, and threw playful curses back and forth. It’s been real. I hope that we continue to have many good times.
Guys, DUST 514 is, in my opinion, in its prime time. These past two years have been intense. Let’s make the most of what time it has left, which I hope is years! If you have a fond memory of DUST 514 that you want to share? Help us celebrate two years of DUST 514 by sharing it in the comments below, on Twitter, on the forums, or in game! Have a good time with the game. Send a tweet to a dev. Tell them thanks. Tell them how much you enjoy their game.
These past two years have been pretty friggin’ dope. Here’s to many more years of DUST 514! o7
Aiwha Bait
