System Colonisation
 | Work in progress This page is about an unreleased or work-in-progress item. All information is subject to change. |
System Colonisation is an upcoming, brand-new feature for ED: Odyssey. Claim star systems with player-led, free-form expansion in the galaxy.[1] The Bubble is no longer static.[1]
Overview
Frontier gave limited info about SC during Frontier Unlocked #10 on 27 October 2024:
A player who owns or claims a system is called a System Architect.[2] This can be done by an individual commander or a group.[2]
The player must find an unpopulated system within a certain distance and claim it as their own. Then move a System Colonisation Ship to the system. It is bigger than a Drake-Class Carrier, close to the size of a space station.[2] Then establish and build a Space Depot (starport) in that system. It is a hub to work on in the system. Logistics is of key importance to transport materials into the system to build a starport.[3]
Once the starport is built, you can expand the system. You have direct influence in placing existing assets, starport, planet ports, settlements and other facilities.[3] There's a plethora of tools to work with. The facility types that you put down will dictate the economy in that system.[2] This determines the economic output such as high-tech or agribusiness.[3]
You can own more than 1 star system. The primary starport in 1 system must be completed before you can claim another system. You could build basic systems and daisy chain your way towards your favorite system. You can make it your home as the main system.[2]
SC is connected to Powerplay 2 and the Stellar Forge. While colonising a system you can push your chosen Power into that system. Expand your Power's influence and create new systems, civilizations for the Power. Each system has an associated value. Every system is unique to some extend which will be represented in system colonisation. This can influence your system of choice.[2] Built-up systems can influence the political state of the game based on the constructions.[3]
Expanding The Bubble can have a galaxy wide effect. For example new trade routes for traders, new hubs for explorers that you can use as a home base before going into deep space.[2]
More details will be disclosed during Frontier Unlocked #11 on 27 November 2024.
Features
A list of features:
- Colonisation is a player-driven way to expand the Bubble and colonise new systems[4]
- Players can colonise unpopulated systems within a certain distance of populated systems[4]
- After colonising a system, they can build a starport[4]
- After the starport is built, players can expand within the system: build new assets such as starports, settlements, outposts etc. which dictates the economy of the system.[4]
- Players can claim multiple systems, but one at a time. The primary starport must be built before a player can colonise another system.[4]
Development
Since 2019, there was speculation about the new feature such as Base Building. System Colonisation was unveiled during the Frontier Unlocked #10 livestream on 30 October 2024.[4][2] Frontier's Arthur Tolmie said in Frontier Unlocked #1 (January 2024) that this new feature will be released "this year".[5]
Videos
Gallery
- Space Depot
- System Colonisation Ship
References
- 1 2 System Colonisation - Elite Dangerous, Facebook Page - 30 October 2024
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Frontier Unlocked #10 - Twitch - 30 October 2024
- 1 2 3 4 Elite Dangerous will let players colonize the Milky Way in 2025 - Polygon - 31 Oct 2024
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 New Colonisation Mechanic First Look - DPSS - Elite Dangerous Squadron - 30 October 2024
- ↑ Frontier Unlocked #1 - 31 Jan 2024 - Twitch