Elite Dangerous FAQ

2014-06-09T08:00:37Z

62.6.254.204: /* General FAQ */ Can't find official information confirming "100 billion star systems". Changing it to the wording used in the linked newsletter.

==General FAQ==
==='''What is''' '''"Elite: Dangerous"?'''===
: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk/about/ Elite]''' is the genre defining open world sandbox space / trading / combat simulator first released in''' [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media 1984.]''' It spawned 2 sequels '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynXwvSqsCek Frontier: Elite 2]''' '''([https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_elite_ii 1993]) '''and '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBEMJTZoYYo Frontier: First Encounters] ([https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_first_encounters 1995])''', which already attempted to '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|simulate a realistic Milky Way galaxy]]''' with '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK-NMyDaPAg realistic star systems]''' and '''seamless freeform interplanetary''' and '''atmospheric flight''' and''' landing on [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_planets_rotate_and_orbit_around_stars.3F|moving planets.]]'''
: '''Elite''' also '''[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134644/the_replay_interviews_gary_penn.php inspired the creation of the "Grand Theft Auto (GTA)" series.]'''

: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is the [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 '''4th''' installment of the game], which includes '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F|mass-multiplayer]]''' as an integral part, while still allowing '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_single_player_work.3F_Will_I_need_to_connect_to_a_server_to_play.3F|singleplayer.]]'''
: '''Dangerous''' refers to the 3rd best '''[http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Elite_Rating Elite Rating]''' you could achieve during combat in the''' [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media Elite games.]'''
: In the new game it has been [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 expanded] to include more than combat.
*'''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Official "Elite: Dangerous" website]'''
*'''[https://www.facebook.com/elitegame Official News & Updates]'''
*'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=29 Official Forums]'''
*'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]'''
*[http://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous Reddit community]
*[http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/963/Elite-Dangerous.html mmorpg community]
*[http://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/1mee0a/what_is_elite What is Elite?]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_%28video_game%29 Elite Wikipedia]
*[http://www.eliteforever.co.uk/history.html Elite Documentary]
*[http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of David Braben - reddit AMA]
*[http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Elite_Rating History of the Elite Rating]
*[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_any_roleplaying_elements.3F|Ratings and Reputations in Elite: Dangerous]]

==='''What are the main features of "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===

* '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#I_have_heard_that_the_.22Elite.22_series_have_no_actual_storyline._Is_that_true.3F|An immersive, evolving galaxy with dynamic society, economy and stories]]''' - join other pilots and together change story of the Milky Way. All your actions, be it '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F|mass-multiplayer]]''' or '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_single_player_work.3F_Will_I_need_to_connect_to_a_server_to_play.3F|singleplayer]]''' will change history of human kind. Join in breaking blockades, battle pirates, or attack enemy positions and installations - leave your mark whatever you go. For those who want to play in their own galaxy offline single player will also be available.
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrNlml4Ibk&t=120 Free-form play]''' - you can choose your own path - be an angry pirate, peaceful trader or explorer, enroll in military to protect your kind, be a spy, or mix between these roles. There are no classes or skill levels - it is up to you to improve yourself, and to get better ships with more advanced weapons.
* '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|A scientifically accurate 1:1 scale, seamless Milky Way galaxy]] using a mix of [[Procedural_Generation|procedural generation and artist direction]]''' - with around '''[http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ffe2385d13#1 billions of star systems]''' (around 400 billion stars considering most systems contain multiple stars) according to current scientific theories of star system formation with [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_planets_rotate_and_orbit_around_stars.3F|planets and moons that orbit and rotate]], with additional [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/c7qbhd8 cosmic phenomena like black holes, supernovas, active binary stars etc.] It will also have specially handcrafted overrides for '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tit1GaWCHXo&t=246 160,000 known stars in the night sky]''' and planetary objects that we know and love. For example, our solar system with Earth, Moon and Mars, other systems with recently discovered planets, etc.

* '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|Freeform (manual yaw/pitch/roll) interplanetary flight]]''' - fly freely through star systems in realistic scale to get to your destination. Travel to vista points to see Earth rise on the moon, or sun appearing behind of Mars. Explore the vast expanse of space and discover new points of interest in star systems.

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

==='''On what platforms will "Elite: Dangerous" be released?'''===
: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is planned to be released for:
* '''Microsoft Windows''' in '''2014'''
* '''Apple Mac OS X''' in '''2014'''

==='''Where can I buy "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===
: [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/about Elite: Dangerous] will be available on both [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#On.C2.A0what_platforms_will_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.C2.A0be_released.3F|Windows PC and three months later on Apple Macintosh]] computers.
: '''The Alpha build is available only on Windows. You will be able to download the released game on Windows and/or Macintosh computers once it is available, at no extra charge.''' Development of the game is ongoing, and so recommended specifications are currently only available for the Alpha builds.

: Below is the current early access release schedule for the PC:
: '''Note that these prices are based on the original Kickstarter tiers.'''
* '''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous.html Pre-order (£35)]'''
** Gamma Phase (extended beta): to start after Standard Beta has finished, followed by a commercial release at the end part of 2014.
* [https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-standard-beta.html Standard Beta (£50)]
** Beta Phase (formally 2nd beta) to start after Premium Beta has finished.
* [https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-premium-beta.html Premium Beta (£100)] includes [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansion pass, worth £35. ]]
** Beta Phase (formally 1st beta): [http://frontier.co.uk/news/latest/?artid=416&pageNum=0&blk=12 started May 30 - 2014.]
* Alpha (Out of stock) includes [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansion pass, worth £35.]]
** Alpha Phase 1.0 started December 2013 and [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#Alpha%204 4.0 to start on May 15 - 2014.]
: '''Please note: These dates are estimates and can change.'''
*'''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Official "Elite: Dangerous" website]'''
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11113 Info on the WEBSTORE and ALPHA ACCESS]

==='''What are the minimal system requirements to run "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===
: [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/about Elite: Dangerous] will be available on both [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#On.C2.A0what_platforms_will_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.C2.A0be_released.3F|Windows PC and three months later on Apple Macintosh]] computers.

: The [https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-alpha.html Alpha build] is available only on Windows. You will be able to download the released game on Windows and/or Macintosh computers once it is available, at no extra charge.

: Development of the game is ongoing, and so recommended specifications are currently only available for the [https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-alpha.html Alpha builds].
: Minimum recommended hardware specification:

*Direct X 11
*Quad Core CPU (4 x 2Ghz is a reasonable minimum)
*2 GB System RAM (more is always better)
*DX 10 hardware GPU with 1GB video ram
*Internet connection
: Supported Operating Systems:
*Windows 7.x
*Windows 8.x
: For the final game the minimum hardware specifications may be lower as further code optimisations are completed.

==='''Are there plans for other platforms to be supported?'''===
: '''There are no concrete promises''', but both creator David Braben and executive producer Michael Brookes have confirmed that they are interested in evaluating support for '''next gen console platforms''' XBox One and Playstation 4, and also [http://www.tuxradar.com/content/interview-david-braben-0 Linux desktop], but they plan to complete development for Windows and Mac OS X first.

=== '''Does "Elite: Dangerous" support Physically Based Rendering (PBR)?'''===
: Yes according to an [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7295 interview with a graphics programmer] dated August-29-2013.

: ''My specialism for this project has mostly been full-scene things, like updating our lighting model to a [https://www.marmoset.co/toolbag/learn/pbr-theory “physically based”]system. ''

: And [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ee05d74c71#6 according to the executive producer.]

: ''Short answer: yes it does. Elite: Dangerous adopted a [https://www.marmoset.co/toolbag/learn/pbr-theory physically-based rendering (PBR)] model right from the start - we want it to look as good as possible under a variety of lighting conditions (and space certainly gives you that!). We expect the visual quality of Elite: Dangerous will continue to improve as we progress through development. It's worth mentioning though that PBR isn't a one-size-fits-all solution as much as it's the start of a discussion that could probably occupy someone for their entire career - kind of like the way "High Dynamic Range" was quickly adopted by everyone years ago but people are still arguing over the fine details!''
* [https://www.marmoset.co/toolbag/learn/pbr-theory Basic Theory of Physically-Based Rendering]

=== '''How will we travel those vast distances in such a huge glaxy?'''===
: There are [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#The%20Need%20for%20Speed two modes of super luminal (faster than light) travel] to cover [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|those vast 1:1 scale distances.]]
# '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#The%20Need%20for%20Speed Super cruise (or frame shifting)]''' is used for '''freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) '''travel within star systems. It has been said that it will take [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=345753&postcount=174 less than 30 minutes to '''accelerate''' from the Sun to Pluto] and the maximum speed will vary based on proximity to celestial bodies, up to '''2500 times the speed of light (2500C)''' that [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=345753&postcount=174 will rarely be reached], to be able handle [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_exoplanet_extremes#Orbit_characteristics the most extreme spatial distances.] You will also be able to do [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=441493&postcount=2 combat maneuvering] and find other ships that are '''super-cruising''' within a star system from a long distance away visually and with long range sensors.
#* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7892 Old Super-Cruise proposal: Note that the speed has increased to 2500C and micro-jumps have been discarded.]
# '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#The%20Need%20for%20Speed Hyperspace drives]''' are used to''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE8B4KptyVI&t=21 seamlessly travel between star systems.]''' Hyperdrives with different ranges, charge up times and fuel consumption parameters are available, and so your particular model of hyperdrive governs your specific ability to move around the galaxy. There will also be ways to follow each other's hyperspace trail.
#* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5443 Old Hyperspace proposal: Note that small details may have changed.]

=== '''How are players going to meet each other in such a huge galaxy?'''===
: Most of the action will take place within the human populated core systems of the 3 major factions and because of the way [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|interstellar hyperspace travel]] works, the game will ensure that you will [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F|get grouped]] with other players near the largest mass (star) during hyperspace exit. You will also be able to find other ships that are [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|super-cruising]] within a star system from a long distance away visually and with long range sensors.
: There will also be ways to follow each other's hyperspace trail.

: Players won't be able to just take off and disappear into uncharted areas of the galaxy without a huge amount of preparation and logistical equipment, and even when they do start doing that, a big reason for exploring is to find rich systems with lots of resources, so you can make more money by trading or selling information about the location of the resources, which leads them back to the core systems yet again. And if new interesting places with rich resources are found, then eventually one of those 3 major factions will claim the system leading to it becoming part of the core and space stations being built in those system.
: But of course, you can also just go sightseeing.

==='''Will there be an extensive dynamic economy?'''===
: Yes
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKD1ap5hsI Faction Warfare: How the Galaxy will Evolve Over Time - Dev Diary]'''
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFECllA71qc Dynamic Economy: Trading - Dev Diary]'''
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6305 Background Simulation and Economy]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6299 Trading]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 Faction Causes and Dynamic Story Generation]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

==='''Will there be any roleplaying elements?'''===

: Just like in all the [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F previous Elite games], you are '''not '''fixed to a specific role like in a traditional roleplaying game, there are also no skillpoints that directly affect the way your avatar performs. Instead you will always be directly in control of your avatar so your own skill will determine the outcome of your interactions.
: That said there will be extensive [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 ratings and reputation] systems that affect how NPC's and players perceive you, even going so far as taking [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 ship appearence (age/damage)] into consideration.
: There will also be [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NSMMTfwTOU&t=203 extensive customization options] for the ships.
*[http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#I_have_heard_that_the_.22Elite.22_series_have_no_actual_storyline._Is_that_true.3F Faction System with Dynamic Society, Economy, Events and Stories]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 Ratings and Reputations]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7494 Persistent NPC's]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7399 Contacts]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6276 Criminality]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6299 Trading]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7216 Passengers]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7276 Slaves]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

==='''Will I be able to smuggle illegal goods?'''===
: Yes
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 Ratings and Reputations]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7399 Contacts]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6276 Criminality]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6299 Trading]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7276 Slaves]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

==='''Will there be mining?'''===

: Yes, just like [http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~healer8/kelpie/mining.htm the last two Elite games], there will be mining.
: First [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7196 '''Mineral Bodies''' (Asteroids), '''Frozen Liquid Bodies '''(Comets) and '''Gas/Dust Clouds''']''', '''but [http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~healer8/kelpie/mining.htm planetary mining] machine [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=455834&postcount=5 after the first release.]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7196 Mining]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

=== '''I have heard that the "Elite" series have no actual storyline. Is that true?'''===

: '''No'''. While classic '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media Elite]''' and '''[https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_elite_ii Frontier: Elite 2]''' didn't have an in-game story, the 3rd '''Elite '''game,
: '''[https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_first_encounters Frontier: First Encounters]''' had an in-game storyline that you could follow if you chose to do so.
: The story wasn't explicitly told with traditional cut-scenes but unfolded from a first person perspective with the help of news events and corresponding missions.
: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' will continue from where '''[https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_first_encounters Frontier: First Encounters]''' left off and start in the year 3300. It will feature more dynamic news events based on both [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue87r4zPcE&t=419 developer injected] and [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 dynamic procedural stories and missions.]

*'''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_any_roleplaying_elements.3F|Role Playing Elements]]'''
*'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=45 Elite Fiction Forum]'''
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue87r4zPcE&t=420 Explanation on how in-game storytelling in Elite: Dangerous works]'''
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKD1ap5hsI Faction Warfare: How the Galaxy will Evolve Over Time - Dev Diary]'''
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFECllA71qc Dynamic Economy: Trading - Dev Diary]'''
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6305 Background Simulation and Economy]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6299 Trading]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 Faction Causes and Dynamic Story Generation]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6370 Newsfeeds]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7829 Injected Events]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6279 Ratings and Reputations]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7494 Persistent NPC's]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7399 Contacts]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg Elite: Dangerous - Fiction Diary 1]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWpa9acEeZs Elite: Dangerous - Fiction Diary 2]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDurmITXzRM Elite: Dangerous - Fiction Diary 3]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrv3yC3wrg8 Elite: Dangerous - Fiction Diary 4]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue87r4zPcE Elite: Dangerous - Fiction Diary 5]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' will also have [[Fiction|more than 7 official books]] to tell different stories about '''Elite''' universe, with lots of places, events and even persons referenced in the game.

: In addition to this the '''Elite '''universe does have an extensive background history which is covered in many different sources, like In the official novellas - '''The Dark Wheel''' from '''Elite''', '''Stories of Life on the Frontier Life On The Frontier''' and '''The Gazetteer''' from '''Frontier: Elite 2''', and '''Further Stories of Life on the Frontier''' from '''Frontier: First Encounters''' which can all be found in the following links [http://www.lotf.co.uk/lib.shtml] [http://frontierastro.co.uk/Gazetteer/intro.html] [http://www.lotf.co.uk/fe2_gazetteer.html] .
: In addition to this there is also [http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Category:Fiction Fan Fiction].

==='''Will there be detailed ship managment and avionics?'''===
: Yes, see the following links:
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7374 Ship Systems with Heat Management and Stealth]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7828 Sensors and Targeting]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7892 Frame Shift Drive and Long Range Sensors]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7454 Ship Damage]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5701 Shields]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7196 Mining]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8236 Interview explaining Sound HUD]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WmsnwNq98 Dev Diary about cockpits and HUD]'''

==='''Will I be able to hire crew for my ship?'''===
: Yes, as with previous[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F| Elite games]] you will be able to [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ?file=Anaconda_Bridge.png hire NPC crews] for the [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=b3760cf65e#2 larger multi-crew ships.]
: Player crews however will be in future updates.

==='''Will I be able to hire wingmen?'''===

: Yes, you can [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14580 hire wingmen and escorts], but you [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_I_be_able_to_build_an_empire_and_own_space_stations_and_fleets.3F|won't be able to own them]], but you can give them simple commads such as, Hold Fire, Fire at Will, Wait, Follow, End Contract, etc.
: Their loyalty will depend on their morality and faction connections, so they will be able to betray you, or simply refuse to engage in certain criminal acts.

==='''Will it be possible to manually land on planets?'''===
: Yes, just like [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|the last two Elite games]] you will be able to '''seamlessly freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll)''' enter and '''fly through full 1:1 scale planet atmospheres''' and '''land on their surface full with living cities and wildlife''' as part of an [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansion]], projected '''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 to be implemented within the first year post-release.]'''

:The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 '''scope''' for '''Elite''' is '''huge'''], so a sensible strategy is used to add to the game in stages.
:Keep in mind that the game has been '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=151 well planned and designed from the start]''' with all these features in mind (it is '''not '''an afterthought) and [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Does_the_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_developer_Frontier_Developments_have_enough_expertise_to_pull_off_such_an_ambitious_project.3F Frontier Developments already has the technology for this.]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 Q&A about Development Plan]
*[https://games.yahoo.com/video/interview-elite-dangerouss-david-braben-211040547.html In-depth Yahoo interview with David Braben about the scope of Elite.]
*[http://www.edge-online.com/features/frontier-developments-elite-dangerous-the-rebirth-of-a-legend/ In-depth Edge article with David Braben and Jonny Watts about the scope of Elite.]

==='''Will landing and docking be seamless in "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===
: '''Yes''', just like in all the [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|previous Elite games]] you will be able to '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJGUvr-uBRA&t=201 manually dock with space stations seamlessly.]'''
: Future [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansions]] will also add the posibility to seamlessly freeform [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_it_be_possible_to_manually_land_on_planets.3F| land on planets]]. Landing and docking will be doable either using auto pilot, or manually. Additionally to simply flying into a station's door, in E:D you'll have to fly and land your ship onto the landing pad within the station.
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-gyDLRMXg&t=389 Preview of Eagle MKII and Cobra MKIII landing on the pad within a space station.]'''
* [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=7157d0e3e1 Newsletter about Space Stations]
* [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01 Newsletter about Space Station Docking]
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8124 Space Station Docking Proposal]
* [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_still_back_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_development_in_exchange_of_game.2Faddons.2Fdlcs.3F|Development Plan]]

==='''Will gas giants be realistically represented?'''===
: Yes, they will be [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTBvpd3_Vqk&t=238 gassy and cloudy.]

==='''Can I walk around the ship, planets and space stations?'''===
: Yes, you will be able to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WmsnwNq98&t=363 walk around ship interiors], [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f703580f39#2 board and steal other ships], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6AxOoBF7SM&t=285 walk around in space stations], do [http://www.edge-online.com/features/frontier-developments-elite-dangerous-the-rebirth-of-a-legend/ space walks to repair your ship], operate [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 land and underwater vehicles] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=101 walk on full 1:1 scale populated planets with living cities, forests and be able to big-game hunt wildlife] as part of [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansions.]]

: The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 '''scope''' for '''Elite''' is '''huge'''], so a sensible strategy is used to add to the game in stages.
: Keep in mind that the game has been '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=151 well planned and designed from the start]''' with all these features in mind (it is '''not '''an afterthought).
: See this '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcYwUEgsA4k Zoo Tycoon - Dev Diary]''' for a glimpse of the technology that '''[http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Does_the_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_developer_Frontier_Developments_have_enough_expertise_to_pull_off_such_an_ambitious_project.3F Frontier Developments]''' have for this.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 Elite: Dangerous - Development Plan video]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 Q&A about Development Plan]
*[http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f703580f39#2 Space suits, walking around ships and zero-G combat]
*[http://www.lotf.co.uk/creature_on_altair.html The Fiercest Creature on Altair - An example of big game hunting in Elite lore]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WmsnwNq98 Dev Diary about cockpits, avatars and HUD]
*[https://games.yahoo.com/video/interview-elite-dangerouss-david-braben-211040547.html In-depth Yahoo interview with David Braben about the scope of Elite.]
*[http://www.edge-online.com/features/frontier-developments-elite-dangerous-the-rebirth-of-a-legend/ In-depth Edge article with David Braben and Jonny Watts about the scope of Elite.]

==='''How big will planets and star systems be?'''===
: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' will have a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTBvpd3_Vqk&t=155 scientifically accurate] '''1:1 scale, fully seamless '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ue87r4zPcE&t=30 Milky Way galaxy] where stars and planets will be [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjVuZ2DDpS8&t=33 accurately positioned] relative to your view.
: And just like [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|last two Elite games]] the [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=89b597852e#7 planets and stars will be realistically sized with vast distances between them.]
: Here[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_known_stars are examples of the size of celestial bodies] you can expect in the game. Also see''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q this video to give you a sense of scale.]'''
* [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#Toto,%20I%27ve%20a%20feeling Newsletter about getting rid of the skydome]
* [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ffe2385d13 Newsletter about the Galaxy Map]
* [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/c7qe7sf David Braben talking about the scale of the star systems]
* [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 About the benefits of using a custom engine to solve the 1:1 scale challenge]
*[https://games.yahoo.com/video/interview-elite-dangerouss-david-braben-211040547.html In-depth interview with David Braben]

==='''Will planets rotate and orbit around stars?'''===
: Yes, just like in the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv0Tj-UGOtY&t=440 last two Elite games] planets and moons [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1tl6_zc40k will orbit and rotate in 1:1 scale real-time] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEVutbSqBI0&t=477 tilt will affect their seasons.]
: This '''affects gameplay''', since you will have to match the orbital speed of the celestial bodies and stations and '''gravity will also distort the direction of travel during [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|freeform flight.]]'''
: Full orbital periods will noticable in a short time for [http://www.space.com/22451-fastest-earth-size-lava-planet-kepler78b.html many celestial bodies] and you will also be able to view them at a faster rate in the [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=ffe2385d13#1 Orrery view].
:

==='''Will there be alien life forms?'''===
: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg&t=580 Alien life is common, but sentient alien life is rare.] From these the major alien race are insectoids called The [http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Thargoids Thargoids], which appeared in the [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|original Elite]] and had an [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#I_have_heard_that_the_.22Elite.22_series_have_no_actual_storyline._Is_that_true.3F|extensive story arc]] in''' '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|Frontier: First Encounters (Elite 3)]] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg&t=458 they will make a return in Elite: Dangerous]

==='''Does the "Elite: Dangerous" developer Frontier Developments have enough expertise to pull off such an ambitious project?'''===
: It's very hard to measure "success" or "pulling off" a project objectively, because in the end the game will be judged not only by it's technical merits, but also subjectivity by the player. So we can really only talk about technical expertise. As the game conceptually is almost a technical marvel, it will be easy to measure.

: First of all, leader of '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is '''David Braben''', who was co-author of the original '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media Elite]''', and sole creator of the first sequel and lead developer of the second sequel. While sequels have been given mixed reviews, the majority of people who have played them agreed that both titles succeeded to give the immersion of space travel and succesfully emulated all the issues associated with that.

: Before '''Elite: Dangerous''', David Braben and his company have also produced a lot of high class games, like RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Coaster Crazy, the Lostwind series, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lX4uZ9nVEM Kinectimals], and most recently the 1st party XBox One title, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcYwUEgsA4k Zoo Tycoon], which can give you the impression of craftmanship of the '''Frontier '''developers and technical capablities of in-house software tools.
: They have also done considerable work on an unpublished open world city game known as [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsjsvHCs-94 The Outsider] using '''[https://frontier.co.uk/our_technology COBRA]''', which featured [http://intrinsicalgorithm.com/IAonAI/tag/david-braben/ advanced AI and dynamic story generation] and is likely to influence '''E:D's''' [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_walk_around_the_ship.2C_planets_and_space_stations.3F|planets / cityscapes]] / [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#I_have_heard_that_the_.22Elite.22_series_have_no_actual_storyline._Is_that_true.3F|dynamic event system]] etc.
: '''Frontier''' uses their in-house '''[https://frontier.co.uk/our_technology COBRA]''' engine for all their game development, and now they have started to license it to other development houses.

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' uses a mix of '''[http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Procedural_Generation procedural generation with artist direction]''', this means that they don't need to hand create all their star systems, they just need to be sure that all the special overrides, the event system, etc works in one place and therefore it will work in the rest of galaxy. As '''Frontier''' has already worked with this concept for all [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|previous Elite games]] and many more recent games, '''Frontier''' as a company has the knowhow to deliver such a product.

=== '''How many ships will be flyable by player in "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===
: There will be [[Ships|25 flyable ships]], both new, modified, and improved models from the [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|previous Elite games]], at initial release.

=== '''Can I own multiple ships?'''===
: Yes, there is no limit to the amount of ships you can own, but you can only fly one at a time.
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6753 Multiple Ship Ownership]

=== '''Can I own and control capital ships?'''===
: There will be [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/i_gal/ed-capital_ship_battle.jpg capital ships] in the game, but you won't be able to control or own them, although [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 they aren't ruled out for a future expansion.]
: Although you can't fly capital ships, you will still be able to own and fly [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_I_be_able_to_hire_crew_for_my_ship.3F|large multi-crew executive ships]] like the [http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130720170718/elite-dangerous/images/d/d8/Anaconda_01_Inside.jpg Anaconda], the [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=94e38570c6#4 Panther LX], the [[Dolphin|passenger ships]] and [http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/05/30/david-braben-on-the-ambitious-future-of-elite-dangerous/ big ships can carry other ships], so you’d be able to launch a small fighter from it, which is more nimble.

==='''Will I be able to build an empire and own space stations and fleets?'''===
: You will be able to own [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6tahRbkaq8&t=1283 small inflatable asteroid stations] as [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e/images/stationtypes.jpg depicted here] as part of an update, but you won't be able to own [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media/walls/07_Hydroponic.jpg large sations], build empires or own fleets, since that would [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bEn2aLJ7U&t=64 change the nature of the game.]

: For example, why would you pilot space ships yourself, when the most efficient way to make money and progress in a game is to sit back in an office and hand out commands?
: It's also problematic from a lore and immersion standpoint, since the game is [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg simulating realistic societies, social structures] and time scales, so building an empire would involve a lot of resources and politics that only big nations can afford and would stretch over months or years, even building a large space station can take a month or more.

: So as an '''Elite''' federation pilot, you will only be able to [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uKD1ap5hsI aid in building empires and large space stations], by [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_any_roleplaying_elements.3F|taking missions]] to transport resources and defend them etc, but you are too low on the [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7494 social ladder] (not important enough) to be able to command or own these kind of things.

: That said, you will be able to [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_I_be_able_to_hire_wingmen.3F|hire wingmen and escorts]], but [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-bEn2aLJ7U&t=64 you won't be able to own] or [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz5aeV-G7DE#t=474 remote control them directly.]
: The exact details of this are still to be announced.
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 Q&A about Development Plan]

==='''Why are the ships simpler in design compared to other games?'''===
: Because '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is set in a '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|realistic galaxy]]''' where there is''' '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-gyDLRMXg&t=219 no artificial gravity] and atmospheric capable '''[http://www.edge-online.com/features/frontier-developments-elite-dangerous-the-rebirth-of-a-legend/ ships are engineered to be symmetric and aerodynamic]''', therefore they carry their '''weapons inboard within a bay''' to be able to skim, enter and '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_landing_and_docking_be_seamless_in_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) fly through planet atmospheres]]''' at '''[http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130202135126/elite-dangerous/images/b/bd/Wallpaper12.jpg hypersonic speeds.]'''
: The '''[[Ships|ships]]''' in '''Elite: Dangerous''' have '''airlocks, '''proper '''[https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/113131/all-the-ships-are-broken-sort-of-ok-not-really-ship-design-now-with-science-see-second-post mass distribution with no off-centre main thrusters]''' and [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Viper_Mk_II?file=Viper_Mk_II_02.png separate tessellated cargo holds.]
: However, just like the '''[http://www.jades.org/shiprevs.htm ships in the previous Elite games]''', there will be a lot of '''[[Ships|variety in designs]]''' with '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=a4bd777a7f#4 each manufacturer having its own unique style]''', which can customized into '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NSMMTfwTOU&t=203 numerous configurations.]'''
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-gyDLRMXg&t=389 Preview of Eagle MKII and Cobra MKIII landing on the pad within a space station.]'''
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WmsnwNq98 Dev Diary about cockpits, avatars and HUD]'''
* '''[[Ships]]'''

==='''Will I be able to create multiple pilot characters for my account?'''===

: '''Yes''', you will be able to do so.

==='''What are the general differences between "Elite: Dangerous" and "Star Citizen"?'''===
: The differences are predominantly in '''issues surrounding scale, complexity of background simulations''' and '''adherence to recognised science of the universe.'''

: '''Star Citizen''' comes with a [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Squadron_42 single-player focussed cinematic scripted campaign] which will be '''[http://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen/comments/1zjv88/stupid_question_dont_upvote_has_there_been_any/cfubctr updated with paid DLC expansions.]'''
:

: In '''Elite: Dangerous''', atmospheric capable '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Why_are_the_ships_simpler_in_design_compared_to_other_games.3F|ships are engineered to be aerodynamic]]''', therefore carry their weapons within a bay. This provides ships with hulls that are able to enter and '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_landing_and_docking_be_seamless_in_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) fly through 1:1 scale planet atmospheres]]''' at '''[http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130202135126/elite-dangerous/images/b/bd/Wallpaper12.jpg hypersonic speeds.]'''
: In '''Star Citizen''' the ships are less aerodynamic and carry their weapons outboard.
: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIK6g3Ql7rs&t=533s Landing on planets in SC will use scripted in-game cinematics]''' and will be limited to several star ports.
:

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' has '''freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll)''' '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|interplanetary fast travel with combat maneuvering]]''' and because it takes place in a '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|realistic 1:1 scale galaxy with proper distances]]''' it necessitates [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|faster than light speeds, up to 2500 times the speed of light (2500C) to make travel times practical,]] with [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_detailed_ship_managment_and_avionics.3F|very long range sensors and combat interaction]] and you will be able to seamlessly enter '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F|hyperspace]]''' from anywhere to another star.

: '''Star Citizen's''' interplanetary fast travel will allow a '''speed of up to 20% the speed of light (0.2C)''' which necessitates '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 compressed scales]''' to make travel times practical, it also '''won't be freeform (Autopilot Only) nor have combat maneuvering in this mode,''' '''[http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/12grru/i_am_chris_roberts_creator_of_wing_commander/c6uxa22 so you will not have the ability to specify an exact random location in space. You can navigate to known locations or tag a ship they want to track or ambush.]''' Also [https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/comment/1738871/#Comment_1738871 you must fly through wormhole-like jump points (which will allow some interactivity) at fixed locations to other star system.]
:

: In '''Elite: Dangerous''' the galaxy will include around '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_are_the_main_features_of_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|100 billion star systems.]] '''The Elite Universe is modelled on current galactic charts. '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_planets_rotate_and_orbit_around_stars.3F|Planets and moons will rotate and orbit in 1:1 scale real-time]]''', therefore constantly changing a system's environment.
: '''Star Citizen's''' galaxy will have '''[https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/comment/270108/#Comment_270108 120 star systems]''' at launch, with '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXqoyZxI_GE&t=1286 time compressed to 2 hours for each day (1:12 scale time)]''' and a more casual take things regarding '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 spatial size and distance of celestial bodies]''', so '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTsSkUhQhU&t=482 planets won't be properly scaled]''' and they might also not orbit. To give you an example, '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_known_stars Elite: Dangerous will have stars alone that can engulf whole star systems of Star Citizen multiple times.]''' Also see''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEheh1BH34Q this video to give you a sense of scale.]'''
: Given what we know about [http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/venus/q89.html our solar system], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_exoplanet_extremes#Orbit_characteristics orbits of exoplanets] and the fact that the''' maximum speed in SC will be 0.2C''' with a targeted travel time of '''[http://www.squad42.com/pages/mmorpgint around 30 minutes to cross a star system,]''' it is estimated that the [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 size of SC star systems will be compressed] to around '''1:100''' up to '''1:2500''' scale.
:

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' has '''lightspeed''' pulse and '''[[Beam_Laser|beam lasers]]''' on all ships fitted with energy weapons, as opposed to''' Star Citizen''' which has '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE_xZdeakEw&t=873 slow moving beam weapons only on capital ships].''' The remainder of the SC fleet will have '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE_xZdeakEw&t=883 slow moving laser bolts]''' like you would see in Star Wars.
:
:'''Elite: Dangerous''' will have '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_walk_around_the_ship.2C_planets_and_space_stations.3F|freeform (go wherever you want) planetary exploration on full 1:1 scale planets.]]'''
:In '''Star Citizen''' planetside aspects take place only in specialized locations, such as star ports, bars and FPS arenas.

: In '''Elite: Dangerous '''there is '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-gyDLRMXg&t=219 no artificial gravity]''', so '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_landing_and_docking_be_seamless_in_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|space stations]]''' are '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6AxOoBF7SM&t=34 designed to rotate]''' as opposed to '''Star Citizen.'''

: There are [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM '''major differences''' in how each game handles close combat flight''' as you can see from this video.'''] There is an [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showpost.php?p=123326 inherent flaw with the premise of close combat space flight leading to endless turreting and circle-strafing especially in PVP multiplayer] due to the lack of terrain features in mid space.
: '''Elite: Dangerous''' deals with this by limiting the yaw rate and enforce an optimum corner speed in the [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_newtonian_physics.3F|flight control computer]] so you are forced to roll and then pitch to get the most efficient turn rate, in addition there is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-LOC G-LOC] system, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGRKuOtrPg a preliminary version can be seen here.]
: In '''Star Citizen''' you can point your ship more intuitively like in an FPS fashion, since yaw is very strong. It deals with turreting by having a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-LOC G-LOC] system [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM&t=191 as seen here], but this alone [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM doesn't alleviate the problems completely], but it is less critical due to the lack of '''lightspeed''' lasers on the smaller ships.

: '''Star Citizen''' allows players to control capital ships.
: While ''' Elite: Dangerous''' allows players to own and fly [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_own_and_control_capital_ships.3F|'''relatively large executive ships''', it leaves very large capital ships to NPC control only for the time being.]]
: Multiplayer is handled with a [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F|grouping system in Elite: Dangerous]] and a [http://starcitizenstuff.wordpress.com/tag/pvp-slider/ PVP-PVE slider which doesn't completely control engagements in Star Citizen.]
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM Star Citizen vs Elite: Dangerous - Flight Model Comparison]'''
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4-gyDLRMXg&t=389 Preview of Eagle MKII and Cobra MKIII landing on the pad within a space station.]'''
* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6WmsnwNq98 Dev Diary about cockpits, avatars and HUD]'''

==='''What are the general differences between "Elite: Dangerous" and "Eve Online"?'''===
: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_have_a_monthly_subscription_fee.3F|pay once and play]]''', therefore does '''not''' have a periodic subscription like '''Eve Online'''.

: Another major difference is that in '''EVE '''everybody within a star system is in one big instance and when there are too many people within it they slow down the update rate of the game.

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' features dynamically created free moving multiplayer instances that are decoupled from the star system itself (but you can also play solo).
: The galaxy is totally seamless for the case of '''Elite: Dangerous''' and the sessions within it can move around, only bubble range and interest determine the players you will see during flight.

: Due to a lot less network traffic, this allows '''Elite: Dangerous''' to have twitch based action instead of classic MMO click 'n' roll (where actual world updates are comparitively slow depending on server load and all attacks are caculated on servers using modified D&D system) which is used in '''EVE'''.
: That means that '''Elite: Dangerous''' combat is more skill based.

: The''' Elite: Dangerous'''''' '''galaxy is based on the real '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_are_the_main_features_of_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|Milky Way]] '''and''' [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_planets_rotate_and_orbit_around_stars.3F|planets will rotate and orbit their stars]]''', thus constantly changing a system's landscape and adding lot of depth - and it has around '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_are_the_main_features_of_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|100 billion star systems]]''', as opposed to '''EVE '''where the planets are static and don't move.

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' has '''freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll)''' '''[http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F interplanetary fast travel up to 2000 times the speed of light (2000C)]''' and you will be able to seamlessly enter '''[http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_we_travel_those_vast_distances_in_such_a_huge_glaxy.3F hyperspace]''' from anywhere to another star. '''EVE''' on the other hand has point & click travel and you must fly to a jump gate to enter another star system.

: A major feature that '''Elite: Dangerous''' will have is '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_it_be_possible_to_manually_land_on_planets.3F|freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) atmospheric flight and seamless landing on planets]]''' and '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_walk_around_the_ship.2C_planets_and_space_stations.3F|walking on living planets with cities and wildlife]]''' as part of [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|expansions]] soon after the initial release.

: Another important difference is that '''EVE '''has a lot of [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_I_be_able_to_build_an_empire_and_own_space_stations_and_fleets.3F|empire building]] and RTS elements, while '''Elite '''is what it would be like to be a spacefarer in a galaxy from a first person’s perspective.

: Another important difference is that '''<nowiki>EVE'</nowiki>'''s economy is totally player driven - so to have ships and weapons in the game have to be manufactured by players themselves, by collecting resources and providing them to factories. '''Elite: Dangerous''' uses a carefully tuned statistic model to simulate the flow of products, which also have all player trades as input to emulate a shared universe. This allows for more casual game play and a much bigger galaxy.

: PVP also has some differences which are [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F|explained here]].

==='''Where I can follow development news about "Elite: Dangerous"?'''===

* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=39 Elite: Dangerous updates forum]
* https://www.facebook.com/EliteDangerousOfficial
* http://www.youtube.com/user/FrontierDevelopments
* [http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/home/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=eb767c006f Elite: Dangerous newsletters]
* http://elitedangerous.tumblr.com
* https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Discussion Archive]

=== '''Will there be newtonian physics?'''===

: The flight physics are newtonian with [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SpiRh7O1Nc&t=23 thruster forces] fed to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigid_body_dynamics proper rigid body.]
: There is a flight control computer that keeps the ship within flight parameters, with a flight assist mode that is on by default, that helps you to maintain your turns and dampen the angular momentum when rolling, pitching and yawing by automatically calculating the thruster forces needed to stabalize the ship and control the skidding.
: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KAJuR5giGo You can turn flight assist off], so you will have have to manually adjust the thruster forces to control the skidding and counteract the angular momentum, the flight control computer however is still active to keep you [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrvJoViw8w within safety parameters.]
: Cargo mass will also affect the maneuverability of your ship.

==='''Will I be able to manually fire thrusters in every direction?'''===
: Yes the game allows for [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_there_be_newtonian_physics.3F|full 6DOF motion.]]

==='''Is "Elite: Dangerous" an MMOG?'''===
: '''Elite: Dangerous is an MMOG, but with the important addition, that you can [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6300 choose if you want to meet other players] or not and there is even a [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_will_single_player_work.3F_Will_I_need_to_connect_to_a_server_to_play.3F|mode to play fully offline]].'''

: The game features a shared persistent galaxy server, where macro effects and [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#I_have_heard_that_the_.22Elite.22_series_have_no_actual_storyline._Is_that_true.3F|events such as economy, society and war status]] etc are recorded.

: The are '''no''' multi-player lobbies.
: The server transparently creates sessions (instances) when meeting other players and [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7494 NPCs]within that galaxy based on a bubble size around you that is defined by your scanner/visual range and the effects of that are stored on the server and shared by everybody.

: Because the game features very high speed twitch combat and very detailed damage models, this is the most reliable way to do it, also keep in mind there can be many sessions within a star system and those sessions can dynamically move around, also because this game uses a [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_big_will_planets_and_star_systems.C2.A0be.3F|1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy]], sessions will typically be spread out much farther away [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_are_players_going_to_meet_each_other_in_such_a_huge_galaxy.3F|(although most of the action will be within the core systems)]] and it wouldn't be immersion breaking as opposed to a space game in a smaller area.
* '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#How_are_players_going_to_meet_each_other_in_such_a_huge_galaxy.3F|How are players going to meet each other in such a huge galaxy?]]'''
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6300 Multi-player Groups]
* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5323 Death Penalty]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Design Disussion Archive]

==='''How will single player work? Will I need to connect to a server to play?'''===
: No, it will be possible to have a single player game without connecting to the galaxy server. You won't get the developer injected events and you probably won't be able to sync between server and non-server (again they'll investigate).

: The online galaxy of '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is a shared universe maintained by a central server. All of the meta data for the galaxy is shared between players. This includes the galaxy itself as well as transient information like economies. The aim here is that a player's actions will influence the development of the galaxy, without necessarily having to play multiplayer.

: The other important aspect for the developers is that they can seed the galaxy with events, often these events will be triggered by player actions. With a living breathing galaxy players can discover new and interesting things long after they have started playing.

=== '''Will "Elite: Dangerous" have a monthly subscription fee?'''===

: '''No. [http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous] '''has a fixed a box price, without hidden costs. However, you will pay one-time fees for major '''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#What_is_the_expansion_pass.3F|additional expansions.]]'''

==='''What is the expansion pass?'''===
*''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Where_can_I_buy_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|'''***Both the Elite: Dangerous Alpha and Premium Beta products include the expansion pass.'''***]]''
: The '''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-expansion-pass.html Expansion Pass]''' includes automatic access to all major '''Elite: Dangerous''' expansion packs, such
: as [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Will_it_be_possible_to_manually_land_on_planets.3F|seamless freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) atmospheric flight and landings]] and [[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Can_I_walk_around_the_ship.2C_planets_and_space_stations.3F|walking around and boarding ships, walking in stations and on full 1:1 scale populated living planets and more.]]

:The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 '''scope''' for '''Elite''' is '''huge'''], so a sensible strategy is used to add to the game in stages.
:Keep in mind that the game has been '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=151 well planned and designed from the start]''' with all these features in mind (it is '''not '''an afterthought) and [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Does_the_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_developer_Frontier_Developments_have_enough_expertise_to_pull_off_such_an_ambitious_project.3F Frontier Developments already has the technology for this.]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 Elite: Dangerous - Development Plan video]
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5659 Q&A about Development Plan]
*[https://games.yahoo.com/video/interview-elite-dangerouss-david-braben-211040547.html In-depth Yahoo interview with David Braben about the scope of Elite.]
*[http://www.edge-online.com/features/frontier-developments-elite-dangerous-the-rebirth-of-a-legend/ In-depth Edge article with David Braben and Jonny Watts about the scope of Elite.]

*''[[Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Where_can_I_buy_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22.3F|'''***Both the Elite: Dangerous Alpha and Premium Beta products include the expansion pass.'''***]]''

=== '''Will "Elite: Dangerous" support Oculus Rift?'''===

: '''Yes, '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' will officially support OR at initial release.''' It's already supported in "Elite: Dangerous" Alpha Combat Test 1.1, released 20.12.2012.
: See [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7985 Elite: Dangerous will support Oculus Rift ]

=== '''Where does the Elite: Dangerous community hang out?'''===
*'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=29 Official "Elite: Dangerous" Forums]'''
*[http://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous Reddit community]
*[http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/963/Elite-Dangerous.html mmorpg community]

==Kickstarter FAQ==
'''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' Kickstarter's crowdfunding project were held from 5th November 2012 till 4th January 2013. You can find FAQ last edited version in [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461411552/elite-dangerous "Elite: Dangerous" Kickstarter project page].

Elite Dangerous Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Elite Dangerous FAQ

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