Development Plans

David Braben has said there will be several features not included at launch but will be eventually added in future updates. These features include:

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The ability to land on a planet's surface 

Just like the last two Elite games you will be able to seamlessly freeform (manual pitch/yaw/roll)  enter and fly through full 1:1 scale populated planet atmospheres with living cities and wildlife enabling extra-vehicular activities as part of expansions. Starting most probably within a year of the initial release.

The 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 well planned and designed from the start with all these features in mind (it is not an afterthought) and Frontier Developments already has the technology for this.

• Elite: Dangerous - Development Plan video
• Q&A about Development Plan
• Newsletter about Landing on Planets, Ship interiors and Walking around
• In-depth Yahoo interview with David Braben about the scope of Elite
• In-depth Edge article with David Braben and Jonny Watts about the scope of Elite

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The ability to move around within ships

At launch Elite: Dangerous will be similar to the other incarnations of Elite in that you will be stuck in your cockpit looking out. However David Braben has said he would like to implement moving around inside your ship with functionality such as fighting fires etc.

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The ability to leave your ship

Also mentioned was the ability to leave your ship, board other people's ships and walk on planetary surfaces as well as in space stations and ground stations. Suggested outcomes by David Braben include sneaking onto another ship, possibly even stealing them as well as big game hunting on planetary surfaces.