Elite Dangerous: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. | ||
The [[Guardians]] are an alien humanoid species. They became extinct 1 to 2 million years ago.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTtiGxJIFyM PAX East 2017 - Interview with David Braben]</ref> Their [[Ancient Ruins]] were first discovered in the Synuefe XR-H D11-102 system on October 27, 3302.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/59l4hk/cmdr_xdeath_found_the_monolith/ reddit: Cmdr xdeath found the monolith!]</ref> The decrypted data from the ruins, as well as from [[Structures]] discovered the following year, provided significant insights into the history and culture of the Guardians. | The [[Guardians]] are an alien humanoid species. They became extinct 1 to 2 million years ago.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTtiGxJIFyM YouTube: PAX East 2017 - Interview with David Braben]</ref> Their [[Ancient Ruins]] were first discovered in the Synuefe XR-H D11-102 system on October 27, 3302.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/59l4hk/cmdr_xdeath_found_the_monolith/ reddit: Cmdr xdeath found the monolith!]</ref> The decrypted data from the ruins, as well as from [[Structures]] discovered the following year, provided significant insights into the history and culture of the Guardians. | ||
== Story == | == Story == | ||
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Elite Dangerous is a groundbreaking title for virtual reality gaming, because its one of the first major titles to offer full VR support with an exceptionally immersive experience in an all-encompassing universe. It was the go to game for many VR headset demos before the devices were commercially available. From a technical standpoint, Elite Dangerous is one of the PC’s most high-end VR titles, pushing even very powerful PCs to their limit. Elite Dangerous is designed from the ground up to support Virtual Reality and 4K Ultra HD display technology. It has Cutting-edge visual quality and performance enabled by Frontier's COBRA engine. It supports the latest displays at 4K resolution, and is built for the future with full 8K and 16K support. It's compatible with Oculus Rift, SteamVR and Vive headsets.<ref>https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/made-for-vr/</ref> | Elite Dangerous is a groundbreaking title for virtual reality gaming, because its one of the first major titles to offer full VR support with an exceptionally immersive experience in an all-encompassing universe. It was the go to game for many VR headset demos before the devices were commercially available. From a technical standpoint, Elite Dangerous is one of the PC’s most high-end VR titles, pushing even very powerful PCs to their limit. Elite Dangerous is designed from the ground up to support Virtual Reality and 4K Ultra HD display technology. It has Cutting-edge visual quality and performance enabled by Frontier's COBRA engine. It supports the latest displays at 4K resolution, and is built for the future with full 8K and 16K support. It's compatible with Oculus Rift, SteamVR and Vive headsets.<ref>https://www.elitedangerous.com/en/made-for-vr/</ref> | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>In March 2015, [[David Braben]] said supporting the Oculus Rift right from the start was possible, because Elite Dangerous is self-published by [[Frontier Developments]] rather than a publisher. With a publisher they'd have to make a business case for it and it would end up being pushed out into the future.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLpX1G5I5tQ Elite: Dangerous - David Braben Interview] with Gamereactor, | <nowiki> </nowiki>In March 2015, [[David Braben]] said supporting the Oculus Rift right from the start was possible, because Elite Dangerous is self-published by [[Frontier Developments]] rather than a publisher. With a publisher they'd have to make a business case for it and it would end up being pushed out into the future.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLpX1G5I5tQ YouTube: Elite: Dangerous - David Braben Interview] with Gamereactor, | ||
Mar 20, 2015. | Mar 20, 2015. | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
Erasmus Talbot and Jim Croft developed the dynamic music system that allows the score to ‘breathe’ and reflect gameplay. Croft managed a team of talented individuals who also worked on audio such as ship engine sound and the ship's voice. Croft said it's been an absolute honor and privilege to be involved with Elite Dangerous.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/11961-Meet-the-Team-12-Jim-Croft-(Head-of-Audio) Meet the Team #12- Jim Croft (Head of Audio)] | Erasmus Talbot and Jim Croft developed the dynamic music system that allows the score to ‘breathe’ and reflect gameplay. Croft managed a team of talented individuals who also worked on audio such as ship engine sound and the ship's voice. Croft said it's been an absolute honor and privilege to be involved with Elite Dangerous.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/11961-Meet-the-Team-12-Jim-Croft-(Head-of-Audio) Frontier Forums: Meet the Team #12- Jim Croft (Head of Audio)] | ||
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Regarding the backer response to the audio, [[Jim Croft]] said: ''"The response to Alpha 1.0 has been overwhelmingly positive. We were really glad to hear that people were in general enjoying our approach, particularly with respect to ship engines. One of our biggest challenges is in attempting to make space flight feel enjoyable, dynamic and non-fatiguing, while adhering to a plausible physical flight model as much as we can. It’s very tough to keep all parties happy; some like a light touch or no sound at all, whereas others want the full ‘Hollywood’ treatment. We want to give players what they want. Our aim is making as much of the audio in the game as customisable as possible in the audio options. So players can pick and choose the elements they prefer to hear and which elements they do not."''<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/11961-Meet-the-Team-12-Jim-Croft-(Head-of-Audio) Frontier Forums: Meet the Team 12 - Jim Croft (Head of Audio)]</ref> | Regarding the backer response to the audio, [[Jim Croft]] said: ''"The response to Alpha 1.0 has been overwhelmingly positive. We were really glad to hear that people were in general enjoying our approach, particularly with respect to ship engines. One of our biggest challenges is in attempting to make space flight feel enjoyable, dynamic and non-fatiguing, while adhering to a plausible physical flight model as much as we can. It’s very tough to keep all parties happy; some like a light touch or no sound at all, whereas others want the full ‘Hollywood’ treatment. We want to give players what they want. Our aim is making as much of the audio in the game as customisable as possible in the audio options. So players can pick and choose the elements they prefer to hear and which elements they do not."''<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/11961-Meet-the-Team-12-Jim-Croft-(Head-of-Audio) Frontier Forums: Meet the Team 12 - Jim Croft (Head of Audio)]</ref> | ||
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 Elite: Dangerous - Sound In Space - Control Conference 2015 (5:06)]</ref>'' | 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>'' | ||
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[[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=":8" /> | [[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=":8" /> | ||
''"Elite: Dangerous is where you are part of the [[Pilots Federation|Federation of Pilots]] and you're offered to be admitted to it and you'll be able to do this within the game, but you're still at a lesser rank so it's a bit like the British Navy for example where you had the concept of a defaced ensign. Those who may not know British military ships can fly a different flag and people can also fly that privately, but it's defaced to say that this isn't the full military ship. So it's the same sort of principle as that. Anyway that is why this is the title of the game, because it's so key to all the way the multiplayer plugs together."''<ref name=":8">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYhoFYIWmw My other car's a Cobra MKIII - Nordic Game 2014]</ref> | ''"Elite: Dangerous is where you are part of the [[Pilots Federation|Federation of Pilots]] and you're offered to be admitted to it and you'll be able to do this within the game, but you're still at a lesser rank so it's a bit like the British Navy for example where you had the concept of a defaced ensign. Those who may not know British military ships can fly a different flag and people can also fly that privately, but it's defaced to say that this isn't the full military ship. So it's the same sort of principle as that. Anyway that is why this is the title of the game, because it's so key to all the way the multiplayer plugs together."''<ref name=":8">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOYhoFYIWmw YouTube: My other car's a Cobra MKIII - Nordic Game 2014]</ref> | ||
Dangerous is the third best rank for members of the [[Pilots Federation]] and the galaxy is dangerous. Here's related lore: ''"Relentless, increasingly well organized piracy and the need to maintain their reputation and influence as the best of the best caused the Elite Pilots Federation to start opening its membership to candidates from the Deadly rank who were able to pass a rigorous test and then, as demand continued to soar, to those from the Dangerous rank."''<ref>http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2#Badge%20of%20Honour Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #22</ref><ref>Elite Dangerous - Digital Art Book</ref> | Dangerous is the third best rank for members of the [[Pilots Federation]] and the galaxy is dangerous. Here's related lore: ''"Relentless, increasingly well organized piracy and the need to maintain their reputation and influence as the best of the best caused the Elite Pilots Federation to start opening its membership to candidates from the Deadly rank who were able to pass a rigorous test and then, as demand continued to soar, to those from the Dangerous rank."''<ref>http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2#Badge%20of%20Honour Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #22</ref><ref>Elite Dangerous - Digital Art Book</ref> | ||
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</ref> | </ref> | ||
During an interview at [[Lavecon]] 2015, Frontier stated to have a clear intention of a 10 year development plan.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/165775-Lavecon-News Frontier Forums: Lavecon News]</ref> It's confirmed by [[David Braben]] during a charity livestream in December 2016.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS33cyq6Z_A&t=21m00s 24 Hour Charity Livestream! Part 1! 2016]</ref> In an interview with the Rolling Stone, Braben said: ''"It's down to fans engaging with it, to be honest. But I would very much like to see it still going in 10-plus years. We might change things but, we'd like to keep the same basic idea."''<ref name=":9">[http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/elite-dangerous-creator-talks-sci-fi-politics-and-whats-next-w492781 Rolling Stone: Elite Dangerous creator talks sci-fi politics and what's next]</ref> | During an interview at [[Lavecon]] 2015, Frontier stated to have a clear intention of a 10 year development plan.<ref>[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/165775-Lavecon-News Frontier Forums: Lavecon News]</ref> It's confirmed by [[David Braben]] during a charity livestream in December 2016.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS33cyq6Z_A&t=21m00s YouTube: 24 Hour Charity Livestream! Part 1! 2016]</ref> In an interview with the Rolling Stone, Braben said: ''"It's down to fans engaging with it, to be honest. But I would very much like to see it still going in 10-plus years. We might change things but, we'd like to keep the same basic idea."''<ref name=":9">[http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/elite-dangerous-creator-talks-sci-fi-politics-and-whats-next-w492781 Rolling Stone: Elite Dangerous creator talks sci-fi politics and what's next]</ref> | ||
This includes small free updates and paid major updates. Check the [[Development Plans]] page for an overview of planned updates and expansions. | This includes small free updates and paid major updates. Check the [[Development Plans]] page for an overview of planned updates and expansions. | ||
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=== Revenue === | === Revenue === | ||
In 2019, ''Elite Dangerous'' made more than £100 million ($133m) in revenue. This is a traders quote from the investment firm Liberum in 2019: ''"The company is working on a number of exciting updates for both franchises and our expectation is that we could see a big refresh release of ED in FY20."''<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/aoc8ue/liberum_our_expectation_is_that_we_could_see_a/ reddit: Liberum: "our expectation is that we could see a big refresh release of ED in FY20, five years after launch"]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0Br0Ue1-eE Frontier's Financial Position and the Future of Elite Dangerous]</ref> By 2020, ED generated more than £100m ($131) of revenue which first released in December 2014<ref>[https://www.financialdirector.co.uk/2020/10/23/frontier-developments-cfo-on-strength-of-video-games-market/ Financial Director: Frontier Developments CFO on strength of video games market]</ref> | In 2019, ''Elite Dangerous'' made more than £100 million ($133m) in revenue. This is a traders quote from the investment firm Liberum in 2019: ''"The company is working on a number of exciting updates for both franchises and our expectation is that we could see a big refresh release of ED in FY20."''<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/aoc8ue/liberum_our_expectation_is_that_we_could_see_a/ reddit: Liberum: "our expectation is that we could see a big refresh release of ED in FY20, five years after launch"]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0Br0Ue1-eE YouTube: Frontier's Financial Position and the Future of Elite Dangerous]</ref> By 2020, ED generated more than £100m ($131) of revenue which first released in December 2014<ref>[https://www.financialdirector.co.uk/2020/10/23/frontier-developments-cfo-on-strength-of-video-games-market/ Financial Director: Frontier Developments CFO on strength of video games market]</ref> | ||
=== Monthly players === | === Monthly players === | ||