Dust 514 is setting up to establish a universal set of rules for microtransactions on the PlayStation Network. Hilmar Pétursson told Develop "We're having many meetings with Sony to ensure they have solid policies on virtual currency." Given that discussions like these have not really taken place prior, CCP is breaking new ground as it establishes set protocols on how developers can trade across the PSN.

Right now, we can most likely expect to see pricing tiers of virtual items and, of course, a form of revenue split between Sony and the developers. This could potentially lead to a standardization of virtual items for third-party-developers and a possible way for the free-to-play market to make it's way to consoles.

The good folks over at DUST 514 have dropped some great news on fans today with some new DUST 514 in-game footage revealed in the bi-weekly episode of SONY PULSE. CCP is also promising more DUST 514 in-game footage in the near future, but at least you can get a glimpse of what this PS3-exclusive first-person shooter will have to offer out the gate.

The DUST 514 gameplay is featured about two minutes into the episode. 

CCP has revealed some new details behind their fan festival taking place in March, 2012. The venue is confirmed to be taking place at Harpa, a concert hall and conference center in Reykjavik. CCP is also offering guided tour events for anyone hoping to explore the city of Reykjavik and its countryside. Finally, there will be some great Fanfest events planned, including a pub crawl, Poker, PvP tournaments, Battle of the Bands competitions, and a "Party on the top of the World" blowout.

Check out the reveal trailer below to see how you can get in on CCP's Fanfest 2012!

Alright folks, I've got some good news or some bad news, depending. If you're an EVE Subscriber, then it's all sunshine and happiness. If not, however, well...

Long story short, DUST 514 has just kicked off registrations for their Closed Beta Testing period, but only those who have an active EVE Online subscription will be eligible to enter. I have no idea what the crossover demographic of EVE Online players are with PS3 FPS players, but for those who just want to get into DUST 514 and not EVE Online, chances are high that CBT registrations will be open early next year. Stay tuned for more details!

I will never cease to be impressed by DUST 514's concept art. My only hope is that it translates well into graphical prowess, but we'll cross that bridge when we need to. That being said, what we do have are some very badass looking dropsuits. Fresh from the DUST 514 team, this new dev post on Dropsuits outlines some of the customization options available to each specific dropsuit. More specifically, all dropsuits have a set number of slots that can be kitted out with all sorts of tools, like drop uplinks, repair tools, scanners, nanohives, sidearms, etc. All I know is that these things look nice, so that's all that really counts.

You can read the full DUST 514 dev post over on the official website!

DO YOU SEE THESE WEAPONS? Are they not the coolest weapons ever? EVER!? DUST 514's new dev post is highlighting some of the infantry weapons that will be in the game and, needless to say, they look nice. Real nice. CCP notes that they really wanted to go for a "Vietnam in space" feeling, so they designed their infantry weapons to be instantly recognizable but with all sorts of beefy technology attached.

Is anyone looking at that Amarr CAR-9 Scrambler Pistol? Man, those modelers at CCP really know how to hook a guy in...

Check out some of DUST 514's sleek light weapon designs over on the website. Then wipe off that drool.

Some of those vehicle designs are looking mighty fine in DUST 514's new blog post! According to this post, vehicles in DUST 514 will be highly customizable so that players can create the perfect vehicular concoction for all their... vehicling needs.

I'll stop now.

Vehicles in DUST 514 will all be able to equip a certain amount of "vehicle modules" that can modify a vehicle in terms of its overall weapon modules, engineering modules, and even electronic warfare. CCP is also stressing that even though vehicles might be predisposed to work with certain loadouts, this shouldn't stop creative players from MacGyvering something more to their needs. One example they use in the article is that a Caldari Heavy Attack Vehicle (HAV) might be well suited to using Caldari technology, like their "armor-rupturing railgun cannons," but this railgun can be easily swapped out for a variety of other weapons based on what the team needs on the field. Like guided heavy missiles.

CCP also gives a brief sneak peek at some of their upcoming vehicles. That Gallente looks pretty nice!

What you're seeing in the above image isn't some kind of giant hybrid tank-plane (as cool as that sounds), rather, it's DUST 514's "Rapid Deployment Vehicle." In a new dev blog posted today, CCP Remnant shows off their latest bit of in-game technology to be used for DUST 514. This Rapid Deployment Vehicle (RDV) basically allows Field Commanders in DUST 514 to drop airlifted vehicles anywhere on the map with pinpoint accuracy. While this is obviously a clever work around to vehicles simply falling from the sky (or appearing instantaneously in front of you as you take off on a jet), it also highlights some potential features to be included in DUST 514, like instant vehicle backup, or the fact that opposing teams may be able to hijack enemy vehicles as they are deployed.

At least it seems like parking won't be an issue here.

With a name like the Mobile Command Center (MCC), it stands to reason that these things willl be somewhat important to winning the endless wars being waged on thousands of planets. Yesterday, CCP Remnant, a game designer for Dust 514, wrote about the MCC and how important it is in the Dust 514 world. In the article, Remnant talks of the MCC as being "colossal," "imposing," and "devastating." He notes that the MCC is the "nerve center" of any army, as it houses the commander and also seems to operate as a mobile battle station.

It's one weakness, however, is its huge fuel dependency. Without a steady fuel supply, the MCC can quickly find itself defenseless without its turrets and shields online. It seems like any pitched battles in Dust 514 involving MCCs will probably revolve around fuel sources and their control.

Mark your calendars! CCP just announced that Fanfest 2012 will be held from March 22-24 in a new location: the recently completed Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre (seen above).

Here's a list of the events you can expect to enjoy at the ultimate EVE Online community event:

• Exclusive EVE Presentations
• Live PVP Tournament action
• Player/Developer roundtable discussions
• The latest in DUST 514 presentations and information
• The Reykjavik nightlife experience with devs in the CCP Pub Crawls
• The famous Party at the Top of the World
• Blue Lagoon Hangover Party
• Live Agents, the Silent Auction, and much, much more!

Further details, including flights and accommodation and Fanfest 2012 Access Pass availability, will be announced at a later date. While you wait, feel free to browse through our coverage of this year's Fanfest.