An article in the latest issue of GameInformer jabs at Dust 514's clunky mechanics, mediocre graphics, limited game modes and 'barely there' connectivity with EVE Online. It isn't anything we have not heard a dozen times before and while most is true to some extent we all deal with the game's limitations in our own way.

However, the author, who seems to have spent all of 20 min actually playing the game (apparently Dust 514 has 'hover tanks' and 'laser pistols') goes on to state that "the often derided, 'pay to win' scenario is definitely at play in Dust". He later claims, "the tie between in-game power and real-money purchases pushes the boundaries of what I'll accept in a competitive game."

Of course this is after he confuses readers by explaining the standard market like players have to regularly pay real money for items and "the sums of which aren't huge (on the order of pennies or less per use" and that "you can buy real-money currency from fellow players and acquire goods that way as well".

It is obvious this guy (Adam Biessener) spent all of 20 minutes in game but despite that, in the 14 months I have been playing Dust 514 I have NEVER felt like the game was 'Pay-to-Win'. Now I know a few questionable items have popped up on the market from time to time and CCP has generally addressed most issues when the players cry foul. But I was curious if other players really felt there was a significant 'Pay-to-Win' stigma attached to the game.

I for one say no. I play dozens of matches each week and I rarely find myself the victim of AUR weapons or equipment. Sure it is out there but I do not think any of it is tipping the balance of power or whatever the hell this guy thinks it's doing. I am pretty sure most major corps and alliances are using standard ISK variants in the majority of PC battles out there. Anyway...interested to hear what others have to say.

An article in the latest issue of GameInformer jabs at Dust 514's clunky mechanics, mediocre graphics, limited game modes and 'barely there' connectivity with EVE Online. It isn't anything we have not heard a dozen times before and while most is true to some extent we all deal with the game's limitations in our own way.

However, the author, who seems to have spent all of 20 min actually playing the game (apparently Dust 514 has 'hover tanks' and 'laser pistols') goes on to state that "the often derided, 'pay to win' scenario is definitely at play in Dust". He later claims, "the tie between in-game power and real-money purchases pushes the boundaries of what I'll accept in a competitive game."

Of course this is after he confuses readers by explaining the standard market like players have to regularly pay real money for items and "the sums of which aren't huge (on the order of pennies or less per use" and that "you can buy real-money currency from fellow players and acquire goods that way as well".

It is obvious this guy (Adam Biessener) spent all of 20 minutes in game but despite that, in the 14 months I have been playing Dust 514 I have NEVER felt like the game was 'Pay-to-Win'. Now I know a few questionable items have popped up on the market from time to time and CCP has generally addressed most issues when the players cry foul. But I was curious if other players really felt there was a significant 'Pay-to-Win' stigma attached to the game.

I for one say no. I play dozens of matches each week and I rarely find myself the victim of AUR weapons or equipment. Sure it is out there but I do not think any of it is tipping the balance of power or whatever the hell this guy thinks it's doing. I am pretty sure most major corps and alliances are using standard ISK variants in the majority of PC battles out there. Anyway...interested to hear what others have to say.