What may be the most ambitious video game shooter to date, and a game that's finally starting to get the attention it deserves, is DUST 514 has just been slightly re-branded. DUST 514 is a free-to-play shooter tied directly into the popular EVE Online space-faring MMO universe.

EVE always stood out for placing all of its players within one, massive, shared universe where players control the economies, politics, treaties and every other part of a galactic civilization. The only rules are the ones the players choose to follow and now that mentality is spreading to ground-based warfare.

DUST 514 blew us away at E3 last year and last month at EVE Fanfest 2012, CCP Games showcased the latest build of the game along with a cinematic trailer. Today, CCP Games is sharing the game's new logo along with a a package of concept art we've not shared before.

The new DUST 514 logo emphasizes that its place in the persistent EVE Online universe. The trailer (shown again below), offers an overview of the sci-fi universe born out of the concept of an implant that allows someone to transfer their consciousness to someone else upon death. There are thousands of worlds of the EVE Online universe and each one is place for DUST 514 players to battle for on the ground.

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Trailers for EVE Online have always been somewhat deceiving at offering a legitimate look at gameplay so to see how EVE Online and DUST 514 actually work in unison, check out the video below which highlights the first-person shooter combat of DUST along with orbital bombardment from a starship controlled by an EVE Online player.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRnH1dwpkpU

Like EVE, DUST is about the in-game money as well and players take on the role of a freelance mercenary. In the example of ground forces calling in help from an EVE Online player, that player accepted a contract to help out one side in the ground battle. DUST 514 players then need launch codes to send to the EVE Online players to confirm the target for orbital bombardment. Players can then paint the target on the ground and boom.

This was demonstrated from multiple perspectives at EVE Fanfest 2012 two weeks ago and we recommend watching the 30 minute presentation, loaded with exciting gameplay footage.

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Want to see more? Check out our previously posted DUST 514 screenshots, details on player customization, weapons, and of course, vehicle customization.

Everything is controllable in DUST 514 and resources are what can make the difference. Vehicles don't randomly spawn in distant bases like in Battlefield 3, all resources can be called upon and dropships come down and place them anywhere you desire on the map.

DUST 514 is the first console game to develop a true virtual currency and this feature is what helped make the game a PS3 exclusive, since Sony is willing to test and implement the concept alongside CCP Games where they will share profits.

Is DUST 514 a game that can take away (and keep) players from the likes of Battlefield 3, Call of Duty and Medal of Honor?

Dust 514 is currently in closed beta and will be released exclusively for the PS3 and PS Vita (companion app) later this year 2012.

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