CCP explains how microtransactions will work in Dust 514

CCP has explained to Joystiq how PSN will handle the microtransaction-based Dust 514.

Speaking with the site during gamescom, CCP said players will spend an initial “cover charge” of $20, which is basically the cost of the game download, which will include game currency to spend. After your currency is spent, this is where microtransactions will kick in.

"[The] download gets you the game client plus a bundle of virtual currency which has the equivalent in-game value of $20,” said the rep. “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.

“Bought currency items and non-currency items can be freely exchanged between the players. IIt avoids the buy/win problem that some microtransaction-based games have."

The firm also expects some players to never even play the game itself, but just participate in the virtual market end of it, much like with EVE Online.

"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,” added the rep.

CCP expects the first-person shooter to launch sometime next summer.