Elite Dangerous: Difference between revisions

'''''Elite Dangerous''''' is the definitive massively multiplayer space epic<ref>[https://www.elitedangerous.com/ Elite Dangerous official website - June 2024]</ref> with a 1:1 scale simulation of the [[Galaxy|Milky Way galaxy]]. It is the fourth installment in the [[Elite series|''Elite'' series]]; the longest running space simulation series in history.<ref>[https://twitter.com/gwr/status/611537566299463681?lang=en Twitter: Guinness World Records, 18 Jun 2015]</ref> It was developed and published by [[Frontier Developments]] with [[David Braben]] as the director. The Windows PC version launched on 16 December 2014. The [[Kickstarter]] campaign covered only a small slice of the development budget which grew a lot.<ref>[http://www.pcgamer.com/elite-dangerous-crowdfunding-covered-less-than-one-quarter-of-its-total-cost-creator-says/ PC Gamer: Elite: Dangerous creator says crowdfunding covered less than one-quarter of its total cost]</ref> The Mac version was released on 12 May 2015,<ref name=":53">[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/05/elite-dangerous-now-available-for-macs-both-direct-and-on-steam/ Ars Technica: ''Elite: Dangerous'' now available for Macs, both direct and on Steam]</ref> but Mac OS support was dropped on 11 December 2018 due to technical barriers.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/important-mac-announcement.424243/ Frontier Forums: Important Mac announcement]</ref> The Xbox One version launched on 6 October 2015,<ref name=":63">[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/elite-dangerous-xbox-one-release-date-revealed/1100-6430369/ GameSpot: Elite: Dangerous Xbox One Release Date Revealed]</ref> followed by the PlayStation 4 version on 27 June 2017.<ref name=":73">[https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/05/16/elite-dangerous-touches-down-on-ps4-june-27/ PlayStation.Blog: Elite: Dangerous Touches Down on PS4 June 27]</ref> Development for old-gen consoles ended on 10 March 2022.<ref name=":1" />

Three seasons of post-launch content updates were released for ''Elite Dangerous'': ''[[Elite Dangerous: Horizons|ED: Horizons]]'' (expansion), ''[[Elite Dangerous: Beyond|ED: Beyond]]'' (season of updates), and ''[[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]]'' (expansion). Since 27 October 2020, all ''Horizons'' and ''Beyond'' content is included for free with ''Elite Dangerous''.

 

'''Note''': the base version of ED is free on Epic Games if you get [https://gaming.amazon.com/elite-dangerous-epic/dp/amzn1.pg.item.26dc4db5-9ad6-4a58-bd73-276adf5411bb Twitch Prime] until 25 Feb 2025. This excludes Odyssey.

[[File:Elite Dangerous Key Art 2020 Wide.jpg|right|250px|ED Key Art 2020]]

''Elite Dangerous'' (ED) is the first game in the series to feature online multiplayer in a vast 1:1 scale simulation of the [[Galaxy|Milky Way]] based on real-life scientific principles, recent scientific data and theories. It has a groundbreaking galaxy based on hard science with star surveys that are fixed and merged to, for the first time in gaming history, compose a very consistent model of the Milky Way and it's accurate enough to plot the night sky.<ref name=":83">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYhoFYIWmw YouTube: My other car's a Cobra MKIII - Nordic Game 2014]</ref> It's also one of the first major space sim titles to offer virtual reality support with an exceptionally immersive experience in an all-encompassing universe.

*More than 30 different and customizable [[ships]].

*Player actions can change the shared, overarching narrative and history of humankind. Such as battle [[pirate]]s, advance a [[:Category:Factions|faction]]'s influence via [[Powerplay]] or participate in [[Community Goals|community goals]] to leave a mark in the galaxy. The shared narrative is influenced by the players who can change the course of events in a [[star system]], the [[Core Systems]] and [[galactic regions]].  

==Evolving Universe==

[[File:Aulin-Enterprise-Station.png|thumb|250px|Aulin Enterprise Orbis Station]]Elite Dangerous has a vast 1:1 scale simulation of the [[galaxy|Milky Way]] which evolves in real-time. The galaxy is based on real scientific principles, scientific data and theories.

Elite Dangerous features a shared narrative which is influenced by players on all platforms. This occurs with community events like [[Salomé]], [[Community Goals|community goals]] and [[Powerplay]] activities. All of the meta data for the galaxy is shared between players. It's not traditional storytelling, rather an interactive, overarching narrative. Players have influenced and changed the course of events. The story unfolds in real time, in which players decide the outcomes and can be the stars. Important local and galactic events are reported via newsfeeds by [[GalNet]]. See the [[Elite Dangerous Timeline]] for a chronological list of events.

In the tradition of the original [[Elite]] from 1984 and open-world games; there's no linear story. You can be a rich trader, a veteran bounty hunter, a feared pirate, a lonely miner, a notorious smuggler, all of them or something else entirely, based on your own actions.[[File:Type 9 mining.jpg|thumb|250px|Type-9 mining]]Among the trillions of people in the [[galaxy]] - you start off as an insignificant new member of the [[Pilots Federation]]. You receive an indefinitely loaned and insured [[Sidewinder Mk I]] and a small sum of [[credits]] from a secret benefactor. You've got a [[Ships|ship]] and some spare [[credits]] to get started. One day, you might gain fame, wealth or glory. Unlike RPGs, players in Elite Dangerous do not choose their role by customizing the stats and skills of their character. Instead, the player is free to pursue any career akin to real-life. The [[careers]] can be categorized as combat, covert, exploration, mining, trading, transportation and utility. Blaze a trail to fame and fortune as a [[Trader]], [[Miner]], [[Explorer]], [[Bounty Hunter]], [[Smuggler]], [[Courier]], [[Mercenary]], [[Assassin]], [[Xeno Hunter]] or [[Pirate]]. Customizing your [[Ships|ship]] gears it towards specific careers. Hybrid careers are possible through emergent gameplay. For example defensive bounty hunting while trading in a multipurpose vessel, or taking long-range trade missions and exploring systems along the way.[[File:Anemones-planetary-ring.png|thumb|250px|Anemones and a planetary ring]]The player can customize his or her character's physical characteristics with [[Holo-Me]]. It allows deep character customization which can be done at any time. For example, players can change their [[Remlok Suit]], head, facial features, gender and other cosmetics. The fully functional [[Camera suite|Camera Suite]] enables  third-person views, sophisticated screenshots, machinima and control a ship or SRV in third person.

Hundreds of ships can be owned by a player and customised for certain careers. Unused ships are stored in [[shipyard]] [[Hangar|hangars]]. They can be retrieved by returning to a [[station]] or [[settlement]] at any time. Ships can also be delivered to a station near your location if it has a shipyard.

==Space Travel ==

[[File:Horizons-reveal-cobra-landing.jpg|thumb|250px|Planetary landing]]Since ED launched on 16 December 2014, the player was limited to experience the galaxy from a ship's cockpit or an SRV seat. However, [[Horizons|ED: Horizons]] update 2.0 added [[Planetary Landings|Planetary Landing]] on 15 December 2015. This made realistic, full-sized, airless [[planets]] and [[moons]] accessible.

Up until early 2021, the player was essentially the vehicle: a ship or SRV. Walking in person was a long awaited feature which the community dubbed "Space legs". In 2021, [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]] added [[On Foot]] features which extended the level of detail to a first person scale. The player could finally walk around as an individual person rather than a vehicle. Ships became extensions of the player. [[Atmospheric Landing|Atmospheric landing]] on planets with tenuous [[Atmosphere|atmospheres]] became possible. Players can set foot on unexplored planets and receive an accolade that recognizes their [[First Footfall]] on a planet.<ref>[https://customersupport.frontier.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/4405415875218-What-is-the-First-Footfall-system-in-the-Odyssey-expansion What is the First Footfall system in the Odyssey expansion? - 20 August 2021 - Frontier Developments]</ref> Visit [[Settlement|settlements]], [[outpost]]s, [[starport]]s etc. Drive around with an [[SRV]] or walk in person to explore the surface for [[materials]], alien [[species]] etc.

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File:Is Elite Dangerous Worth It In 2024?

[[File:SRV-Scarab-Driving-Planet.png|thumb|250px|SRV Scarab drives on a planet]]The first available [[Vehicles|vehicle]] is the [[SRV]] [[Scarab]]. It's primarily designed for [[Explorer|exploration]] to allow pilots to drive and jump across planetary surfaces. It's also useful for [[Miner|mining]] [[materials]]. The [[Planetary Vehicle Hangar]] module provides a hangar space on-board a ship to carry and repair an SRV. It's equipped with a [[Wave Scanner]] which is an unidirectional long-range forward facing scanner that detects a variety of vehicles and points of interest. A 2 seater combat SRV called the [[Scorpion]] was added with [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]] in 2021.

== Realistic Astrophysics and scale==

File:What_NASA_%26_Elite_Dangerous_Have_In_Common

File:Elite_Dangerous_Horizons_-_Galaxy_In_Motion

File:How_BIG_is_Elite_Dangerous%3F_(Galaxy_map_size)

[[File:Thargoid-Scouts-and-Interceptors.png|thumb|250px|Thargoid Scouts and Interceptors]][[File:Thargoid-Surface-Site.png|thumb|250px|Thargoid Surface Site]]There are several sapient [[species]] in the Milky Way. The most notable are [[Human]], [[Thargoid]] and [[Guardian]]. There's speculation about additional species, but they are yet to be discovered.

The [[Thargoids]] are an intelligent, highly advanced insectoid species that have existed for millions of years. They are highly territorial and seemingly rebuff all diplomatic overtures with unmitigated hostility, but are also known to be extremely slow to adapt.

''Elite Dangerous'', like the classic ''Elite'' games, takes place in the fictional [[Elite Universe|''Elite'' ''universe'']]. It is set 50 years after the events of ''[[Frontier: First Encounters]]'', starting in the year 3300 (which equals 2014). The alien [[Thargoid]] [[species]], introduced in ''Elite (1984)'', also returned in ED.[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Hero-Connected-Artwork.png|Elite Dangerous hero connected artwork|thumb|250px]]Elite Dangerous features a shared narrative which is influenced by players on all platforms. This occurs with community events like [[Salomé]], community goals and [[Powerplay]] activities. All of the meta data for the galaxy is shared between players. It's not traditional storytelling, rather an interactive, overarching narrative. Players have influenced and changed the course of events. The story unfolds in real time, in which players decide the outcomes and can be the stars.<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/16/7402069/elite-dangerous-launch-campaign-single-player-story Polygon: Elite: Dangerous actually has a story, here's how to find it]</ref> The latest news on in-game events and remarkable stories are reported on [[GalNet]]. See the [[Elite Dangerous Timeline]] for a chronological list of events.

The middle-classes of the galaxy can afford spaceships like cars in the 20th century. People who own spaceships gain tremendous freedom. They're encouraged to do all kinds of jobs such as delivering goods and supplies to [[Station|stations]]. For people in the bottom of society, little has changed. Space trade is seldom hampered by politics. The planet-spanning [[Mega Corporation|mega corporations]] employ entire nations and rule unchecked over vast sections of the [[galaxy]]. There's a laissez faire attitude towards weapon ownership and people are inclined to shoot first. The general lawlessness of space, navigational hazards and fierce creatures on [[planets]] make it a dangerous place.<ref name=":23" />

== Procedural Content==

==Flight Model==

==Virtual Reality==

The [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]] expansion added [[On Foot|on foot]] first person gameplay in 2021. However, this currently does not support virtual reality. There are issues with motion sickness and the user interface that require significant changes to make VR enjoyable.

About Elite- Dangerous. Episode 2. Cobra Game Engine

==Sound and Music==

[[File:Elite_Dangerous_OST_Cover.jpg|thumb|250px|Elite Dangerous OST, released on April 1, 2015]]The [[Elite Dangerous Music]] was made by composer [[Erasmus Talbot]] and Frontier Head of Audio, [[Jim Croft]]. The Elite Dangerous Original Soundtrack has over 2 hours of music content to immerse yourself in the Elite Dangerous universe.

Senior Audio Designer [[Matthew Florianz]] held a presentation giving an in-depth look into the making of the audio for Elite Dangerous with in-game examples. Pertaining the science approach to the way Frontier creates the universe, a question they often get is, ''"Why didn't you go for no sound in space? The game has sound."'' Jim Croft answered that question: ''"In the vast and often empty blackness of space, audio fulfills the crucial role of communicating a compelling sense of speed, acceleration and mass to the player."<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiAcsrmyePs YouTube: Elite: Dangerous - Sound In Space - Control Conference 2015 (5:06)]</ref>''<gallery hideaddbutton="true">

Elite_Dangerous_-_Sound_In_Space_-_Control_Conference_2015

File:Elite_Dangerous_Soundtrack_-_Menu|Menu and Theme Song

== Elite Dangerous Packaging==

==Behind the Name==

[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Official-Key-Art.png|250px|thumb|Elite Dangerous official key art]][[David Braben]] explained the story behind the name: ''"This is Elite 4, but I wanted something that was a fresh start. We looked at the story behind the other names. So Frontier is because the key thing with Frontier versus Elite is the action takes place on the periphery, on the frontier. Because logically from a story perspective if you imagine sort of cowboy semi lawless worlds they will tend to be on the frontier of human space. The core systems will be a lot more secure. You wouldn't get unruly systems so close."''<ref name=":83" />

==Buy to Play==

Expansions such as ''[[Elite Dangerous: Horizons]]'' and ''[[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey]]'' must be purchased separately in order to access their features, and also have fixed, one-time purchase prices. Some expansions may include multiple content seasons at no additional cost, such ''Horizons'' including ''[[Elite Dangerous: Beyond]]''.

Elite Dangerous was first announced to the public on 5 November 2012.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/EliteDangerousOfficial/posts/10152235720990564?__tn__=C-R Facebook: Elite Dangerous, 5 Nov 2012]</ref> Over a quarter of a century after the original, David Braben of [[Frontier Developments]] launched a successful Kickstarter campaign in November 2012. The Kickstarter goal was £1,250,000, it started on 5 November 2012 and lasted 60 days till the deadline of 5 January 2013.<ref name=":2">[https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-20897768 Elite video game reboot hits funding target] - 3 January 2013 - BBC</ref> The Kickstarter reached its goal 48 hours before the deadline and exceeded it with 25,681 backers who pledged £1,578,316.<ref>[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461411552/elite-dangerous Elite Dangerous on Kickstarter] - 9 October 2024</ref><ref name=":2" /> The purpose was to test-market the concept, verify whether there's broader interest in a fourth game and to raise funds to help make the game.

[[File:Elite-Dangerous-Alpha-1.0-Dec-2013.png|thumb|250px|ED Alpha 1.0 December 2013]]Those who pledged big during the Kickstarter got beta-access. People also bought beta access at £50 a pop. This included the full game. In mid-August 2014, more than 75,000 people were playing the Elite: Dangerous beta, providing ''"more and more money that moves ever closer to the game breaking even in a really good way."''<ref name=":113" />

File:Elite Dangerous - End of an Alpha

File:Elite Out to the Black

Development of the console versions of [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]] was officially cancelled on 10 March 2022.<ref name=":1">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/console-update.600233/ Frontier Forums: Console Update]</ref> This is partially due to the limited technical capabilities of old-gen consoles which struggle to run the higher graphical fidelity and system requirements of Odyssey. For example the PlayStation 4 only has 8 GB GDDR5 while the Xbox One has 8 GB DDR3 RAM. Secondly, ending old-gen console support streamlines development by focusing on a unified v4.0+ live version for PC. The Legacy version (v3.8 Game Client) is playable on old-gen consoles, but it does not receive updates nor new content. Frontier offers a free migration service to copy console player profiles to PC.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/console-profile-transfers-and-2022-updates.603032/ Frontier Forums: Console Profile Transfers and 2022 Updates]</ref>

[[File:Elite Dangerous 5th Anniversary infographic.png|thumb|250px]]To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of ''Elite Dangerous ''since it launched on 16 December 2014, [[Frontier Developments]] compiled an infographic illustrating various player milestones and accomplishments.<ref name="5th3">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/celebrating-5-years-of-elite-dangerous.533151/ Frontier Forums: Celebrating 5 years of Elite Dangerous!]</ref>

<gallery>

ED became 10 years old on 16 December 2014. Development is ongoing with [[System Colonisation]] and more coming next year. On 13 Nov 2024, [[David Braben]] said on X: ''"The team are working hard to support and improve the game, and have had some great results, with much more to come."''<ref>Much more to come - David Braben - X - 13 Nov 2024 -https://x.com/DavidBraben/status/1856647062445576569 , archive-url: https://archive.vn/lWSHy </ref>

<gallery>

==Development Team==

==Development Plans==

[[Frontier Developments|Frontier]] uses an iterative approach with development. They gradually build upon features to expand and improve them. Expansions and major updates will bring [[Development Plans|various new features]] to Elite Dangerous. Some of these were available in classic Elite games and some are completely new to the [[:Category:Elite series|Elite series]]. [[Horizons]] is the first expansion which consists of a season with major updates that add many new features, content and improvements to the Milky Way. [[Elite Dangerous: Beyond|Beyond]] is the third season of expansions which will add 2 major updates and 2 content updates through 2018.

This includes small free updates and paid major updates. Check the [[Development Plans]] page for an overview of planned updates and expansions.

For example, the roadmap is to add these features with major updates (in no particular order): <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201221021448/https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=1824c0b05a Elite Dangerous Newsletter #29]</ref> <ref>[https://www.pcgamesn.com/elite-dangerous/elite-dangerous-standard-beta-begins-next-week-last-chance-grab-lifetime-expansion-pack PCGamesN: Elite: Dangerous standard beta begins next week; last chance to grab lifetime expansion pack]</ref>

*[https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/horizons Landing / driving / prospecting on airless rocky planets, moons & asteroids - Elite Dangerous: Horizons] - see [[Planetary Landings]].

*[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Can I walk around the ship.2C planets and space stations.3F|Walking around interiors and combative boarding of other ships]]. - see [[Space Legs]].

*[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Can I walk around the ship.2C planets and space stations.3F|Combat and other interactions with other players and AIs in the internal areas of star ports]]

*[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#Can I walk around the ship.2C planets and space stations.3F|Accessing richly detailed planetary surfaces]] - see [[Atmospheric Landings]] and [[Procedural Cities]].

File:Elite_Dangerous_Logo_Big.png|Elite Dangerous logo big

File:Elite-Dangerous-Splash-Screen.png|Elite Dangerous Splash Screen

Elite Dangerous Logo Text.png|Elite Dangerous Logo Text

File:Elite-Dangerous-Official-Star-Map-Poster.jpg|Elite Dangerous Official Star Map Poster

Elite-Dangerous-Box-Art.png|Elite Dangerous box art

File:Elite-Dangerous-Logo-Splash-Screen-2.png|Elite Dangerous Logo Splash Screen

File:Elite-Dangerous-Alpha-1.0-Dec-2013.png|ED Alpha 1.0 December 2013