Capsuleers will gain many more grunts in just over a week's time.

With DUST 514 already linked up and interacting fully with the Tranquility server for EVE Online, CCP has announced that everyone who wants to join in the warfare and general backstabbing won't have to wait much longer.

On January 22, all PlayStation 3 owners can access DUST 514 for free as part of Open Beta, which should increase the pool of players dramatically. It's a big milestone for both EVE and DUST 514 as stated by CCP CEO -- acronym overload -- Hilmar Veigar Pétursson, in today's press release:

“The launch of the DUST 514 Open Beta is another step towards our long-term vision for CCP and EVE. But this is just the beginning. As we have done with EVE Online, in the coming weeks, and for years to come, we will continually improve upon and add to the DUST 514 experience, as well as add deeper integration between the two games and their communities.”

Currently available on the PlayStation Store, the DUST 514 Mercenary Pack has granted Closed Beta access -- and still does -- along with 40,000 Aurum, the in-game currency for cosmetic items etc. and some in-game items. The pack costs $19.99 and will roll over into the Open Beta.

As an extra incentive to enlist early, fans who plays in a match before the launch of Open Beta will get a 100,000 skill point bonus.

It should be fascinating to see how the new influx of players will influence events over in EVE and just how the two games will spark new forms of interaction. Knowing EVE players, there will definitely be something that wasn't expected.

                                 Scott "Jarimor" Hawkes, Editor in Chief