Elite Dangerous FAQ: Difference between revisions

===What is "Elite: Dangerous"?===

: '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_%28video_game%29 Elite]''' is the genre defining [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srlJVE50mCI&list=SP9E1E1F7AA6193498&index=1 open world sandbox space / trading / combat simulator] first released in '''1984.'''  

: It spawned two sequels '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynXwvSqsCek Frontier: Elite II]''' in '''[https://frontier.co.uk/games/older/frontier_elite_ii 1993] '''and '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0_WewBEGew Frontier: First Encounters (Elite III)]''' in '''[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 '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc9o_ldmlVs&t=72 seamless freeform interplanetary]''' and '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0_WewBEGew#t=53 atmospheric flight]''' and''' landing on [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will planets rotate and orbit around stars.3F|moving planets]]''', with '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0_WewBEGew&t=265 realistic day/night cycles]'''.

: '''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://www.elitedangerous.com 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.]]'''

: 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/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]'''

*[http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/forums/379/1/Elite_Dangerous simhq community]  

* '''[[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. <span style="line-height:21px;">For those who want to play in their own galaxy offline single player will also be available.</span>

* '''[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 [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any roleplaying elements.3F|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 around 100 billion 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.

* The game will be expanded with ambitious features 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.]]'''

: '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous]''' is planned to be released for:

* '''Microsoft Windows''' in '''Q4 2014'''

* '''Apple Mac OS X''' (approximately 3 months after Windows release)

: [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/about Elite: Dangerous] will be available for '''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-cat/elite-dangerous.html £35.00 / €40.00 / $50.00]''' 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.

: Below is the current beta release schedule for the PC:

:: Access to all [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#What is the expansion pass.3F|future paid-for expansions]] - '''To be withdrawn from sale 29th July.'''

*'''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-standard-beta.html/ Standard Beta (£50.00 / €60.00 / $75.00)]'''

:: Pre-Order open now – '''Immediate access to single player combat build. Beta available July 29th.'''

*'''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-cat/elite-dangerous.html Elite: Dangerous full game (£35.00 / €40.00 / $50.00)]'''

:: Pre-Order open now – '''planned release is Q4 2014, exact release date to be announced.'''

:: If you have any problems upgrading (there were a few people with issues from the original Kickstarter), then please get in touch with Frontier [https://support.zaonce.net/http/user/loginform here].

*'''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Official "Elite: Dangerous" website]'''

: [http://elite.frontier.co.uk 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 current Beta builds are 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 Beta builds.

: Supported Operating Systems:

===Are there plans for other platforms to be supported?===

: They have confirmed that they are evaluating support for '''next gen console platforms''' [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-07-14-how-about-elite-dangerous-on-ps4-and-xbox-one XBox One and Playstation 4] and also [http://www.tuxradar.com/content/interview-david-braben-0 Linux desktop], but they plan to complete the initial release for Windows and Mac OS X first.

: '''Elite: Dangerous''' [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Where can I buy .22Elite: Dangerous.22.3F|is projected for a general '''release in Q4 2014.''']]

: '''Star Citizen''' [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Anticipated_Release_Schedule#Star_Citizen is projected for a general '''release in late 2016.''']

: '''Star Citizen''' comes with a [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Squadron_42 single-player focused cinematic scripted campaign] and is projected for general '''episodic releases starting from mid 2015,''' which will later 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''', the '''[http://i.imgur.com/vXLnJea.png ships]''' are relatively '''[https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33305725/Elite/comparison.jpg larger]''' for '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=c0b11fe947#2 their class]''', with '''[http://elite.frontier.co.uk/images/newsletter_2013_09_06/schematic_flat_FEDCAP.png capital ships in the 2KM range]''' and atmospheric capable ones '''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Why are the ships simpler in design compared to other games.3F|are engineered to be aerodynamically streamlined and symmetrical]]''', 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 aerodynamically streamlined and carry their weapons outboard and some are [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Scythe asymmetrical.]

: '''[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 2000 times the speed of light (2000C) 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 '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5M5DXzcMmg&t=1066 scaled down star systems]''' to compress '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 spatial distances]''' 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 '''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How big will planets and star systems.C2.A0be.3F|galaxy will be scientifically accurate and include around&nbsp;a 100 billion star systems]]''' (around 400 billion stars considering most systems contain multiple stars). '''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 '''[http://starcitizenreview.com/star-citizen-star-systems-review 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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5M5DXzcMmg&t=1066 casual take] on 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 calculated that the [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 size of '''SC star systems will be compressed'''] to around '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf2_9-6Fmyc&t=1765 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 '''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.

: 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]'''

: '''[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.

: Due to a lot less network traffic, this allows '''Elite: Dangerous''' to have [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any roleplaying elements.3F|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 '''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any roleplaying elements.3F|twitch 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.

<p style="text-align: center;">''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Where can I buy .22Elite: Dangerous.22.3F|'''***The Lifetime Expansion Pass will be withdrawn from sale on 29th July.'''***]]''</p>

: The '''[https://store.zaonce.net/elite-dangerous-expansion-pass.html Expansion Pass]''' includes automatic access to all major '''Elite: Dangerous''' expansions, 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''']], with lots of side activities, [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will I be able to hire crew for my ship.3F|multi-'''player''' crew]] and [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Can I own and control capital ships.3F|player executive controlled capital ships]].

 

 

: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.]