The first beta event for CCP’s free-to-play EVE Online tie-in for the PlayStation 3 kicks off this weekend. Players can enter for a chance to play in the beta event at the game’s official website, or they can just drop $20 in the PlayStation Store.
Today (tomorrow in Europe) CCP launches the Mercenary Pack, a set of $20 downloadable content for the upcoming online first-person-shooter that gives potential players, among other things, an all-access pass to official beta events, plus additional play time on off-beta weekends.
Here’s what you get for $19.99:
4,000 Aurum ($20 USD value) – the in-game currency for DUST 514 that you can buy in the PS Store
30-dat Active Skill Booster – increases earned Skill Points (SP) by 50%
‘Dragonfly’ Scout Dropsuit – a uniquely designed armor with unlimited use
‘Toxin” ICD-9 Submachine Gun with unlimited use and a custom skin
HK4M Shotgun X 50
Hacked Drop Uplink x 50 – allows players to create on-the-spot spawn points for their teammates
Fused Locus Grenade x 50
1.5dn Myofibril Stimulant x 50 – offers players a temporary melee damage boost against opponents
All Access Beta Pass – allows players to participate in every Beta Event, as well as additional play sessions during off weekends
Or, as I read it, blah, blah, blah, blah All Access Beta Pass.
As a potential player, I take offense at this blatant money grab. I shake my fist in defiance. Then I flatten out my fist and slowly reach for my wallet. Not too fast! I want to make them sweat a little. Maybe I pause, arch an eyebrow, and angle the hand towards my coffee cup instead. I’ll get there eventually.
