Basically, my memory of it went like this:


Dust 514 explained in rudimentary detail, show the first ever cross game-play of Dust 514 / Eve Online with a successful cross platform orbital strike on the infamous Crater Lake map.


Dust 514 closed beta opens up to a select few Playstation Plus subscribers despite CCP stating that Eve Online players would get first dibs. Controversy ensues from bitter Eve players wanting to try it first and Playstation Plus subscribers who got in early break the closed beta NDA and start uploading youtube videos comparing the game to Halo.

Eve players finally get into closed beta through BS 'access codes' that were given out randomly and play on the Crater Lake map. Swarm Launchers are stupid OP due to lack of friendly fire (they were dumb-fired back then) and hit detection issues abound. Framerate was terrible (yes, worse than it is now) but the game had it's own unique charm to it. There were only a handful of servers available to play on, divided between North America and Europe, but the game was beautiful for the first playable bit of New Eden FPS experience.


Following a character wipe, Codex is released with a new weapon: Mass Driver. Scouts and Breach Assault Rifles are stupid OP because of hit detection issues. We get the Line Harvest map in place of Crater Lake, which would never be seen again. CRUs and Supply Depot models are changed and with them the hacking mechanics are changed as well. A few game reviewers start to hint at the building interest of the game, showing clips.

CCP opens(?) closed beta to anyone that'll drop $20 on a starter pack that contains an access code to get in.

Somewhere along the line we got female models despite crazy lore contradictions (infantry clones have no personality or gender, let alone specified appearances, as they're basically just faceless bases made of biomass giblets). The decision to change the power level structure (Standard/Advanced/Prototype) results in a HUGE benefit for new players as back then the higher power levels had higher HP values built into the suit as well as high PG/CPU and fitting slots.

Type-II suits are introduced to make up for the lack of variety in the suits as we only had The Original Four: The Amarr Heavy, The Caldari Assault, The Minmatar Logistics, and the Gallente Scout.

Skill Point accrual was tripled during this time period to allow players to experiment with things much faster than they would through normal gameplay. Doesn't really matter as there is a character wipe soon after as the server is moved over to Buckingham.

Communications Outpost had an issue where the game would freeze whenever you tried to run up the stairs between what is now Alpha and the supply depot outside the building. This was one of many crippling bugs.