CCP Games has today revealed that the PlayStation 3 exclusive free-to-play MMOFPS title DUST 514 has now moved into the open beta phase, allowing anyone who owns a PlayStation 3 the chance to participate in the battle. With the chance to fight alongside CCP's other science fiction MMO EVE Online, DUST 514 shares various mechanics with the PC players, including mail, text and voice chat, corporations, the in-game market and more.

DUST is a PS3-exclusive triple-A free-to-play MMOFPS (massively multiplayer online first person shooter), directly set in and connected in real time with the science fiction universe of EVE Online.

What that means is that not only is DUST a full-fledged MMOFPS in its own right, with unrivaled persistence and customization, it also coexists on the same servers as its older PC sibling, EVE Online. DUST and EVE share several game systems such as mail, text and voice chat, corporations, the in-game market and more.

Not only are the players of the two games able to communicate with each other and belong to the same social institutions, they can also interact in real time. Spaceship captains of EVE Online are able to provide real-time support in the form of orbital bombardments to the boots on the ground, the DUST 514 mercenaries, all while coordinating in a shared voice chat.

While it might be slightly overwhelming with the various gameplay mechanics occuring in-game, Creative Director Atli Már Sveinsson at CCP Games has published a new PlayStation blog giving a slight helping hand to those who may be in need of one. With varying information such as what you can do in-game and your first steps to becoming an important part in the constant war, it is defintiely a recommend read for those looking to jump into the open beta. You can also check out the latest trailer below which gives you a slight overview of what to expect.