Elite Dangerous: Difference between revisions
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*An immersive, evolving [[galaxy]] with dynamic society, economy and stories, allowing pilots to join each other and together change the story of the Milky Way. | *An immersive, evolving [[galaxy]] with dynamic society, economy and stories, allowing pilots to join each other and together change the story of the Milky Way. | ||
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrNlml4Ibk&t=120 Free-form play] allows everyone to choose their own path, becoming an angry pirate, a spy, a peaceful trader, an explorer, a soldier, or a mix between these [[careers]]. | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrrNlml4Ibk&t=120 Free-form play] allows everyone to choose their own path, becoming an angry pirate, a spy, a peaceful trader, an explorer, a soldier, or a mix between these [[careers]]. | ||
* There are no classes or skill levels, strength is decided by ship equipment and player skill. | * There are no classes or skill levels, strength is decided by ship equipment and player skill. | ||
*More than 30 different and customizable [[ships]]. | *More than 30 different and customizable [[ships]]. | ||
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*Players can choose between the following game modes: Solo (single player), Private Group (only with friends and invited people) or Open Play (multiplayer, play with everyone). | *Players can choose between the following game modes: Solo (single player), Private Group (only with friends and invited people) or Open Play (multiplayer, play with everyone). | ||
* The [[Background Simulation]] is dynamic, complex and reflects the evolution of the known galaxy with ever changing power and system influence of factions in response to player behavior. Every station has its own demands and supply that change dynamically. Players on different platforms cannot directly play with each other. However, every player on every platform affects the same shared galaxy, star systems, factions and the dynamic background simulation. | * The [[Background Simulation]] is dynamic, complex and reflects the evolution of the known galaxy with ever changing power and system influence of factions in response to player behavior. Every station has its own demands and supply that change dynamically. Players on different platforms cannot directly play with each other. However, every player on every platform affects the same shared galaxy, star systems, factions and the dynamic background simulation. | ||
* | *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]]. | ||
== Game modes== | == Game modes== | ||
[[File:Elite Dangerous Physical Gamepack Art.jpg|thumb|250px|Elite Dangerous Physical Gamepack official art]] | [[File:Elite Dangerous Physical Gamepack Art.jpg|thumb|250px|Elite Dangerous Physical Gamepack official art]] | ||
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In Solo mode, all other players are separate from your game session. The ships and characters that you encounter are all AI-controlled (NPC). Private Groups are only for friends and players that you invite to join your group. Solo and Private Group are the preferred modes for players who only want to do PvE (Player vs Environment). | In Solo mode, all other players are separate from your game session. The ships and characters that you encounter are all AI-controlled (NPC). Private Groups are only for friends and players that you invite to join your group. Solo and Private Group are the preferred modes for players who only want to do PvE (Player vs Environment). | ||
Open Play means you may encounter other | Open Play means you may encounter any other player who is also in open. Rendezvous with friends or encounter players by chance. The other players can be friendly, neutral or hostile towards you. This mode has higher risks which makes it more exciting for those who like PvP (Player vs Player). | ||
===Networking tech=== | ===Networking tech=== | ||
Elite Dangerous has a seamless, lobby-less galaxy, with the ability to rendezvous with friends as the player chooses. People can play with up to four players in a [[Teams|Team]] or join another ship via [[Multicrew]]. This uses a combination of peer-to-peer (to reduce lag) and server connections. Frontier spent a lot of time to develop a complex, custom built system for instancing and matching players. It is which is way more complicated than a central server.<ref name=":93">[https://archive.li/r1cmc#selection-900.0-900.3 Rolling Stone: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing], through archive.today</ref> The networking system has gradually improved since the pre-launch beta phase. | Elite Dangerous has a seamless, lobby-less galaxy, with the ability to rendezvous with friends as the player chooses. The server transparently creates free roaming sessions (instances) when meeting other players and NPCs within those locations in the galaxy based on a perception bubble around the player, that is defined by your scanner/visual range. Those instances are '''not''' a fixed location in space as in other MMOs, but they dynamically move around. The effects of those instances are stored on the central galaxy server and shared by everybody. There can be many sessions within a [[star system]] and those sessions can dynamically move around. The sessions are typically spread out much further due to the size of the galaxy. | ||
People can play with up to four players in a [[Teams|Team]] or join another ship via [[Multicrew]]. This uses a combination of peer-to-peer (to reduce lag) and server connections. Frontier spent a lot of time to develop a complex, custom built system for instancing and matching players. It is which is way more complicated than a central server.<ref name=":93">[https://archive.li/r1cmc#selection-900.0-900.3 Rolling Stone: 'Elite' Creator on Sci-Fi, Politics and His Studio's Next Big Thing], through archive.today</ref> The networking system has gradually improved since the pre-launch beta phase. | |||
===Massively Multiplayer=== | ===Massively Multiplayer=== | ||
Player encounters are very rare due to the gigantic size of the full-scale Milky Way. Most players are active inside the [[Core Systems]] (aka the Bubble). This inhabited space has the highest concentration of players and NPCs. It has a 200 lightyear radius around [[Sol]] and encompasses circa 20,000 star systems. Furthermore, splitting the players between 3 modes (Solo, Private Group and Open) diminishes the chance to randomly meet other players. | Player encounters are very rare due to the gigantic size of the full-scale Milky Way. Most players are active inside the [[Core Systems]] (aka the Bubble). This inhabited space has the highest concentration of players and NPCs. It has a 200 lightyear radius around [[Sol]] and encompasses circa 20,000 star systems. Furthermore, splitting the players between 3 modes (Solo, Private Group and Open) diminishes the chance to randomly meet other players. | ||
What makes Elite Dangerous massively multiplayer is that it's always online and all players influence the same shared [[Galaxy|Milky Way]] galaxy with | What makes Elite Dangerous massively multiplayer is that it's always online and all players influence the same shared [[Galaxy|Milky Way]] galaxy with a shared, interactive, overarching narrative via the [[Background Simulation|background simulation]]. This persistent galaxy records macro effects and events such as economy, society and war status. | ||
Everyone can participate in [[Community Goals|community goals]]. The outcome can have a big impact on major events. For example the migration and construction of [[Jaques Station]] in [[Colonia]], the [[Salomé]] community event and the [[Thargoid]] wars. In [[Powerplay]], Players can pledge allegiance to a [[:Category:Power|Power]] and help spread their influence, conquer or defend star systems. When a star system is conquered its [[Market Economy|economy]], [[government]], security level and population changes as well. | |||
Players on other platforms such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One could not directly play with each other, but their actions affected the same [[galaxy]] in [[Elite Dangerous: Horizons|ED: Horizons]]. Console support for old-gen consoles ended when [[Elite Dangerous: Odyssey|ED: Odyssey]] became PC only in 2022.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
On 3 June 2017, 127 commanders made a mass-[[Hyperspace|hyperspace jump]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a12IYynvXlY Elite Dangerous SW2 WP0 Mass Jump 127 CMDRS -] | |||
On 3 December 2023, for AXIN's 5th Birthday, over 350 CDMRs | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a12IYynvXlY COPDMCRULEZ - 3 Jun 2017]</ref> On 3 December 2023, for AXIN's 5th Birthday, over 350 CDMRs of the [[Anti-Xeno Initiative]] got together.<ref name=":0">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK9eoD1hVHY Largest instance ever in Elite:Dangerous? - 3 Dec 2023 - CMDR Mechan - YouTube]</ref> There were 150 players in a single instance.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==Evolving Universe== | ==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. | [[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. | ||
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As players explore, different factions will spread to further star systems, colonize planets and build space [[Station|stations]]. Players can participate in this process by completing missions for a particular [[Minor Factions|minor faction]] to increase their [[influence]] in a particular system. This can eventually lead to wars. Players can continue to help their chosen faction by participating in them. In addition to war, players can also influence minor factions in star systems in other ways such as by causing an economic boom. | As players explore, different factions will spread to further star systems, colonize planets and build space [[Station|stations]]. Players can participate in this process by completing missions for a particular [[Minor Factions|minor faction]] to increase their [[influence]] in a particular system. This can eventually lead to wars. Players can continue to help their chosen faction by participating in them. In addition to war, players can also influence minor factions in star systems in other ways such as by causing an economic boom. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
New [[Station|stations]] are slowly built in real time. These events create opportunities for players to do [[Community Goals]]. The resources and workers required for building must be transported to the location. It becomes a prime target for piracy and increases the demand for bounty hunting. Additionally, the alien [[Thargoids]] have returned and secrets of the ancient [[Guardians]] are being discovered. | New [[Station|stations]] are slowly built in real time. These events create opportunities for players to do [[Community Goals]]. The resources and workers required for building must be transported to the location. It becomes a prime target for piracy and increases the demand for bounty hunting. Additionally, the alien [[Thargoids]] have returned and secrets of the ancient [[Guardians]] are being discovered. | ||