The ambitious Dust 514 title from CCP Games could end up having a more profound impact on the industry, should talks with Sony prove fruitful. The developer has acknowledged that they are “breaking new ground” on developing a universal system that would govern policy on how developers would be able to trade goods around the PlayStation Network.
Should the new system prove beneficial, this new system of checks and sales restrictions could very well outline the entire policy for in-game sales between the PSN, PS Vita and PS3. Price guidelines, item restrictions and other policies are currently being developed, as to fully encapsulate a workable system for Dust 514 and beyond.
“We’re having many meetings with Sony to ensure they have solid policies on virtual currency,” said CCP CEO Hilmar Pétursson to Develop. “Given the amount of back and forth there, we can definitely see us breaking new ground.”
“We are both trailblazing together. CCP and Sony are right there in the same room figuring all this out together,” added CCP marketing executive David Reid. “I’ve only joined the company for about 72 hours and about half that time is speaking to Sony.
“If there is a retail play, Sony has tremendous routes into that. They have PlayStation Network cards sold over the counter. There’s so many ways for us to get our brand everywhere.”
The two companies are still deliberating on selling virtual currency, and how that currency could be used in games. These in-game currency negotiations are hoping to develop a system close to what is used in EVE Online, where gamers buy or trade for in-game currency.
Pétursson also noted the possibilities for the Vita, saying that a Dust 514 version of the game would “give people access to more asynchronous parts of the game”.
“But now, having looked at PS Vita, I’m sure our teams will have many ideas as soon as they get hold of the device for themselves.
“By the level of commitment Sony is giving us, and how willing they are to respond to the changes in the industry, it’s really encouraging,” he said.
“We continually write information about the game on the PlayStation Blog, and Sony will be participating in [annual community event] Eve Fanfest. Sony has a huge commitment to that show, and they will be reaching out to the Eve community and showing off live demos for the first time.”
