DUST 3.1 Development Update news

New Features for DUST 3.1

Alongside refining the core mechanics of Dust my main focus has been on adding high quality aircraft and new maps, in order to make Dust more of a Tactical Combined Arms experience.

Combined Arms = New Aircraft

New aircraft for Dust 3.1 will be the F18, the SU25 Skorpion, and the MiG29. These aircraft will all come with an HD cockpit including canopy and HUD glass reflections, new custom HUDs, and custom views that enable you to look around in the cockpit using either a joystick 'hat switch' or key strokes.

I'm also working on revamping the BF2 helicopters. Dust 3.0 already included the vanilla AH1Z with a reworked cockpit. Now the Claw faction will have its equivalent in the shape of the Mi28 Havoc. This iconic chopper will have a new HD cockpit and custom HUD, plus a repainted external model.

New Effects

Another feature in Dust 3.1 will be improved muzzle effects for small arms and cannons, and improved projectile ground hit effects. Other effects have been tweaked for efficiency in order to keep things running smoothly even on low end systems.

Your feedback on Dust 3.0 has been really helpful and I have taken it into account when making changes or adding new content. However, the core gameplay of Dust 3.1 will remain the same, with challenging ai and the need to play carefully and tactically in order to survive on the battlefield.

Dust 3.1 maps will be:

Abandoned Town (A complete remake of 'Abandoned Village' by Jones)

Airbase (a remake of 'Airport' with an atmospheric evening ambience and custom lighting effects)

Blackhawk (a remake of 'Operation Blackhawk Down' with numerous changes and upgrades)

Factory (as released with Dust 3.0)

Gulf of Oman (now with a new airbase layout including an extended runway for the new aircraft and a rearming area)

Jalalabad (as released with Dust 3.0 but with upgraded vegetation)

Janat Alqanaas (as released with Dust 3.0 but with additional dust/smoke effects)

Kirkuk Oilfields (a complete remake of the USI map 'The Battle of Kirkuk Oilfields')

Shahr Urmia (a complete remake of Highway Tampa with new larger airbases and rearming/repair points)

Sharqi Peninsular (as released with Dust 3.0)

Strike at Karkand (as released with Dust 3.0 but with some upgraded vegetation and new industrial building textures)

I also hope to include Operation Medusa, a remake of 'Greasy Mullet'.

If you don't already have Dust 3.0 you can download it here: DUST 3.0
and you can find additional maps here: DUST Additional Maps