Elite Dangerous FAQ: Difference between revisions

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

===On what platforms will "Elite: Dangerous" be released?===

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

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

===Where can I buy "Elite: Dangerous"?===

:: 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]'''

===What are the minimal system requirements to run "Elite: Dangerous"?===

*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?===

: 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.

=== Does "Elite: Dangerous" support Physically Based Rendering (PBR)?===

# '''[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cfcdbae60e#The%20Need%20for%20Speed Hyperspace drives]''' are used to '''travel from anywhere between star systems.''' Hyperdrives with different ranges, charge up times and [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14422 fuel consumption] parameters are available, and so your particular model of hyperdrive governs your specific ability to move around the galaxy. The game will ensure that you will [http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Elite:_Dangerous_FAQ#Is_.22Elite:_Dangerous.22_an_MMOG.3F get grouped] with other ships near the largest mass (star) during hyperspace exit. 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?===

: Having such a large quantity of star systems permits the game to have many major discoveries and many more minor ones, enough for hundreds of thousands of players to experience the opportunity of unique finds without the feeling of tripping over the Ark of the Covenant every two minutes.

===Will there be an extensive dynamic economy?===

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8021 Faction Causes and Dynamic Story Generation]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

===Will there be any missions or quests?===

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14422 Fuel]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Discussion Archive]

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

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14422 Fuel]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

===Will I be able to smuggle illegal goods?===

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7276 Slaves]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

===Will there be mining?===

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10523 Salvaging]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

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

: 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?===

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 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.]

: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3bVeRpvctQ&t=815 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?===

*[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"?===

* [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?===

*[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]

===How big will planets and star systems be?===

* [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]

===Will planets rotate and orbit around stars?===

: 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?===

: '''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 <span style="line-height:21px;">[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#What is .22Elite: Dangerous.22.3F|previous Elite games]]</span> and many more recent games, '''Frontier''' as a company has the knowhow to deliver such a product.

=== <span style="line-height:21px;">How many ships will be flyable by player in "Elite: Dangerous"?</span>===

: <span style="line-height:21px;">There will be [[Ships|25 flyable ships]], both new, modified, and improved models from the </span><span style="line-height:21px;"><span style="line-height:21px;">[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#What is .22Elite: Dangerous.22.3F|previous Elite games]]</span>, at initial release.</span>

=== <span style="line-height:21px;">Can I own multiple ships?</span>===

: 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]

=== <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 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.

===Will I be able to build an empire and own space stations and fleets?===

: 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?===

* '''[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"?===

* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY5x85F-DKM Star Citizen vs Elite: Dangerous - Flight Model Comparison]'''

* '''[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"?===

: 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"?===

* https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous

* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Discussion Archive]

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

: Practical interplanetary flight is done with the [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How will we travel those vast distances in such a huge glaxy.3F|inertia-less Super-Cruise mode]].

===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?===

* [http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5323 Death Penalty]

*[http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25164 Design Disussion Archive]

===How will single player work? Will I need to connect to a server to play?===

: 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?===

*[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 "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?===