Elite Dangerous FAQ: Difference between revisions
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==General FAQ== | ==General FAQ== | ||
=== | === What is "Elite: Dangerous"? === | ||
: '''''[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.]] | : '''''[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.]] | ||
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=== | ===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]], allowing pilots to join each other and together change story of the Milky Way. | * [[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]], allowing pilots to join each other and together change story of the Milky Way. | ||
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===On what platforms will "Elite: Dangerous" be released?=== | ===On what platforms will "Elite: Dangerous" be released?=== | ||
[http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous] is planned to be released for: | : [http://elite.frontier.co.uk Elite: Dangerous] is planned to be released for: | ||
* Microsoft Windows in Q4 2014 | * Microsoft Windows in Q4 2014 | ||
* Apple Mac OS X (approximately 3 months after Windows release) | * Apple Mac OS X (approximately 3 months after Windows release) | ||
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*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg&list=PL7glm5rbPHKway8jUwKEw6MeWjC4voHD4 Elite Fiction Diaries]''' | *'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6z5OK8J5pg&list=PL7glm5rbPHKway8jUwKEw6MeWjC4voHD4 Elite Fiction Diaries]''' | ||
*'''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any missions or quests.3F|Missions/Quests]]''' | *'''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any missions or quests.3F|Missions/Quests]]''' | ||
*'''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any roleplaying elements.3F|Role Playing Elements]]''' | *'''[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be any roleplaying elements.3F|Role Playing Elements]]''' | ||
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*'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 Faction Causes and Dynamic Story Generation]''' | *'''[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 Faction Causes and Dynamic Story Generation]''' | ||
*'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFECllA71qc Dynamic Economy: Trading - Dev Diary]''' | *'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFECllA71qc Dynamic Economy: Trading - Dev Diary]''' | ||
*'''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Factions and Elite Federation]''' | |||
*'''[http://www.lotf.co.uk/fe2_gazetteer.html Elite timeline from the older games 1950-2380 (will be revised)]''' | |||
*'''[http://daftworks.co.uk/elite/index.php/Galactic_Timeline Elite timeline from the older games 2381-3199 (will be revised)]''' | |||
*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6305 Background Simulation and Economy] | *[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=6299 Trading] | ||
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=== <span style="line-height:21px;">Can I own and control capital ships?</span>=== | === <span style="line-height:21px;">Can I own and control capital ships?</span>=== | ||
: There will be [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/i_gal/ed-capital_ship_battle.jpg capital ships] in the game, but initially you won't be able to control or own them, but they will [http://www.pcgamesn.com/elite-dangerous/elite-dangerous-standard-beta-begins-next-week-last-chance-grab-lifetime-expansion-pack player controllable | : There will be [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/i_gal/ed-capital_ship_battle.jpg capital ships] in the game, but initially you won't be able to control or own them, but they will [http://www.pcgamesn.com/elite-dangerous/elite-dangerous-standard-beta-begins-next-week-last-chance-grab-lifetime-expansion-pack player controllable in an expansion.] <!-- <ref>{{YT|url=fR4G2W7bCHY#t=110|text=Test1 @0:59}}</ref><ref>{{YT|url=P3bVeRpvctQ&t=815|text=Test2 @0:59}}</ref> --> | ||
: 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 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. | : 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 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. | ||
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=== What are the general differences between "Elite: Dangerous" and "Star Citizen"? === | === What are the general differences between "Elite: Dangerous" and "Star Citizen"? === | ||
The differences are predominantly in issues surrounding scale, complexity of background simulations, adherence to recognised science of the universe and release schedule. | : The differences are predominantly in issues surrounding scale, complexity of background simulations, adherence to recognised science of the universe and release schedule. | ||
: Release Schedule: | |||
: ''Elite: Dangerous'' is projected for a general [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Where can I buy .22Elite: Dangerous.22.3F| release in Q4 2014.]] | |||
: ''Star Citizen'' is projected for a general [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Anticipated_Release_Schedule#Star_Citizen release in late 2016.] | |||
: Story: | |||
: Both ''Elite: Dangerous'' and ''Star Citizen'' will have an on-going [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#I have heard that the .22Elite.22 series have no actual storyline. Is that true.3F|background story]] which will be influenced by the players and augmented with developer injected events. | |||
: ''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 updated with [http://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen/comments/1zjv88/stupid_question_dont_upvote_has_there_been_any/cfubctr paid DLC expansions.] | |||
: Ship Design: | |||
: In ''Elite: Dangerous'', the [http://i.imgur.com/vXLnJea.png ships] are relatively [https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33305725/Elite/comparison.jpg larger] for [[Ships#Faction Ships|their class]], with capital ships in the [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/images/newsletter_2013_09_06/schematic_flat_FEDCAP.png 2 km range] and atmospheric capable ones are engineered to be [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Why are the ships simpler in design compared to other games.3F|aerodynamically streamlined and symmetrical]], and 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 hypersonic speeds. | |||
: In ''Star Citizen'' the ships are less aerodynamically streamlined and carry their weapons outboard, some are [http://starcitizen.wikia.com/wiki/Scythe asymmetrical.] | |||
'' | : Landing on planets in ''Star Citizen'' will use [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIK6g3Ql7rs&t=533s scripted in-game cinematics] and will be limited to several star ports. | ||
''Star Citizen'' | |||
: Methods of Travel: | |||
'' | : ''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. Due to the [[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]] to travel 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 you must fly through [https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/comment/1738871/#Comment_1738871 wormhole-like jump points (which will allow some interactivity) at fixed locations to other star system.] | |||
: Galaxy: | |||
: 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 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. | |||
''Elite: Dangerous'' | |||
''Star Citizen''' | : ''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 [http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f9f6f99d01#4 spatial size and distance of celestial bodies], meaning [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTsSkUhQhU&t=482 planets won't be properly scaled] and they might also not orbit. To give an example, ''Elite: Dangerous'' will have [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_known_stars 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 a sense of scale. | ||
: Given what we know about our [http://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/venus/q89.html 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 ''Star Citizen'' 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 ''Star Citizen'' 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. | |||
: Weapons: | |||
'' | : ''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 ''Star Citizen'' fleet will have [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE_xZdeakEw&t=883 slow moving laser bolts] like one would see in Star Wars. | ||
: Planetary Exploration: | |||
: ''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. | |||
''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 movement will be restricted to specialized locations, such as star ports, bars and FPS arenas, while the rest of the planet is off limits. | : In ''Star Citizen'', planetside movement will be restricted to specialized locations, such as star ports, bars and FPS arenas, while the rest of the planet is off limits. | ||
: Artifical Gravity: | |||
: 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''. | |||
: Flight and Combat Models: | |||
: There are major differences in how each game handles close combat flight (as you can see from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM 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 by by way of [http://elite.frontier.co.uk/media/walls/03_Ship_Cobra.jpg thruster placement] and limits in the [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will there be newtonian physics.3F|flight control computer]], forcing to roll and then pitch to get the most efficient turn rate (less efficient, but [https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/144997/urgent-devs-have-fundamentally-misunderstood-yaw-g-forces-and-the-human-body most comfortable] for a human pilot), in addition there is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-LOC G-LOC] system, a preliminary version can be seen [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGRKuOtrPg here.] | ||
: In ''Star Citizen'' ships can be pointed more intuitively in a fashion akin to FPS, requiring a strong yaw (most efficient, but [https://forums.robertsspaceindustries.com/discussion/144997/urgent-devs-have-fundamentally-misunderstood-yaw-g-forces-and-the-human-body discomforting] for a human pilot). 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. | |||
: Multiplayer: | |||
: 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''. | |||
: Additional Links: | |||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM ''Star Citizen'' vs ''Elite: Dangerous'' - Flight Model Comparison] | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM ''Star Citizen'' vs ''Elite: Dangerous'' - Flight Model Comparison] | ||
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: The flight physics are newtonian with forces fed to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigid_body_dynamics proper rigid body.] | : The flight physics are newtonian with 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum angular momentum] when rolling, pitching and yawing by automatically calculating the thruster forces needed to stabalize the ship and control the skidding. | : 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 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum 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= | : [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty04--bvSig You can turn flight assist off], so you will have have to manually adjust the thruster forces to control the skidding and counteract the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_momentum 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. | : Cargo mass will also affect the maneuverability of your ship. | ||
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===What are the expansions?=== | ===What are the expansions?=== | ||
: The expansions includes features such as seamless freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll) [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Will it be possible to manually land on planets.3F|atmospheric flight and landings]] and [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Can I walk around the ship.2C planets and space stations.3F|out-of-ship activities]] (such as FPS combat, walking around and boarding ships, walking in stations and on full 1:1 scale populated living planets), [[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]]. | |||
: Frontier intends to release small, free updates after launch. Expansions that include significant new features and content will have to be purchased | |||
: For example, the initial roadmap is to add these features over the following expansions (in no particular order): | |||
For example, the initial roadmap is to add these features over the following expansions (in no particular order): | |||
* Landing/ driving / prospecting on airless rocky planets, moons & asteroids | * Landing/ driving / prospecting on airless rocky planets, moons & asteroids | ||
* Walking around interiors and combative boarding of other ships | * Walking around interiors and combative boarding of other ships | ||
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* Accessing richly detailed planetary surfaces | * Accessing richly detailed planetary surfaces | ||
* Availability of giant ‘executive control’ ships to players | * Availability of giant ‘executive control’ ships to players | ||
: 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.] | |||
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] | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM0Gcl7iUM8&t=35 Elite: Dangerous - Development Plan video] | ||