Elite Dangerous recently announced its next expansion, Odyssey, which could appeal to a much broader audience than its current fan base. Where does the game stand now and what is planned?
Elite Dangerous has been one of the most popular space games on the market for years and has gathered a large, loyal fan base. However, for a long time, the game was considered “not for everyone” in the broad mass – a niche title that was too complex and difficult to access.
The developers at Frontier Developments have been working diligently on Elite since its release, continuously improving the game and adding numerous exciting features. Moreover, much has been done to make the game more accessible and understandable, especially for new pilots and interested players.
But soon, Elite Dangerous could become interesting for even more players than before – thanks to the new expansion Odyssey. This could take Elite Dangerous in a completely new direction that could also appeal to fans of other genres.
What makes Elite Dangerous special?
Elite Dangerous is currently a massive sci-fi space sim with elements of MMO and economics, focusing on life as a space pilot. You decide who you want to be and what you do there.
You can fly to unexplored spots in the galaxy as an explorer, play space taxi for filthy rich VIPs of various corporations, transport rare goods and sell them for millions of credits, or try your hand as a space pirate – the choice is yours. As you do so, you earn more money, buy better ships, and upgrade them further.
The following aspects make Elite Dangerous special:
- A huge persistent galaxy with nearly 400 billion star systems, all of which can be visited and explored
- Great freedom – Do what you want, be what you want, earn your money however you want
- Numerous ships that can be extensively customized for various roles
- Smooth landings on planet surfaces. Exploration of planet surfaces with a rover vehicle
- Play solo or in open multiplayer with others – including multicrew
- By now, a good introduction that makes the game significantly more accessible
- Mysterious Thargoid aliens which increasingly make life difficult for players
Who is Elite Dangerous interesting for?
Anyone who can relate to space, spaceships, and life as a space pilot, and who loves great freedom, could have a lot of fun with the game – as long as they can handle some grinding. Because all the good stuff doesn’t come for free.
There is only a rough story surrounding an interstellar political conflict in the background, but essentially you write and experience your own stories.
The more you learn about it and invest (time), the more the game rewards you – sometimes with unforgettable experiences. Elite is what each individual makes of it. However, you won’t find a predetermined bombastic story or well-produced cutscenes here.
Elite has a very helpful community that not only assists with onboarding but also willingly rescues young pilots and their ships – like the player organization Fuel Rats. Also, huge events are often organized by the players.
In general, Elite Dangerous has done a lot to keep not only veterans entertained but also to introduce new players to the game and its sometimes complex fundamentals. Anyone who has tried Elite in the past and gave up due to its inaccessibility should definitely give it another try.
In short: If you like to take your fate into your own hands, enjoy great freedom in an open world, and your heart beats for space, then you could find a new passion in Elite Dangerous.
Where does Elite Dangerous stand now?
Since the release in 2014, continuous improvements have been made to Elite Dangerous. The game has been steadily enhanced, and over the years, many new features like planet landings, passenger transport, multi-crew gameplay, character creation, and the mysterious Thargoid aliens have made their way into ED. A lot has also been done to improve accessibility – especially for new players and interested parties.
Recently, however, there have been no significant features or surprises. The developers have focused on smaller “quality of life” updates. 2020 will only see a new major feature – the massive carrier ships (release on June 9).
These extremely expensive colossi can be commanded by players and serve as a type of forward, mobile operations base where players can land and embark on new adventures even in the most remote corners of the galaxy.
The game has evolved tremendously since launch. And soon, Elite Dangerous will also become very exciting again.
What is planned for Elite Dangerous?
It is now clear why there has been less new content for Elite Dangerous lately. Recently, the developers from Frontier Developments introduced a new major expansion – Odyssey.
The next big thing for Elite Dangerous is set to be released early in 2021 and will have the largest impact on the game since its release. Odyssey will be a paid expansion.
These are the most important core features of the Odyssey expansion known so far:
- Space Legs: The ability to leave your spaceship or exploration vehicle and move freely on planet surfaces or inside stations
- Along with Space Legs, there should be much to discover. Breathtaking planets, overwhelming technologies, picturesque sunrises in unforgettable places, outposts, or settlements
- Shooter elements: The ability to customize your character with firearms and other equipment will be introduced, enabling battles in the style of a first-person shooter.
Speculation is still ongoing:
- Whether outposts, settlements, and social hubs are procedurally generated or manually created at certain locations
- Whether you can only enter selected buildings of an outpost
- Whether you can finally land on planets with an atmosphere. There were hints in the Odyssey trailer, but the developers have not mentioned it yet
By the way, base building, which is suspected by some, will not be introduced with Odyssey, according to the developers.
What does the Odyssey expansion mean for Elite Dangerous?
What’s coming: Since the announcement, it has been clear: Something really big is ahead for Elite Dangerous. With Odyssey, not only will some of the biggest player wishes (since release) finally be fulfilled, but the game could also take a completely new direction and become appealing to a much broader audience – a full-fledged sci-fi MMO.
With the new ability to have adventures on foot alongside others, outside of your spaceship, Elite Dangerous is moving strongly towards becoming a true MMO.
Additionally, weapons and equipment for the character, as well as shooter gameplay, come into play. This also opens up completely new possibilities that could significantly enhance and broaden the existing gaming experience. Because until now, players defined themselves solely through their ships. The character was essentially just an avatar that you saw in a picture or through the cockpit window. But soon the character and their adventures will be in focus – whether as a pilot in the ship or as a virtual alter ego on planet surfaces, in space stations, and buildings.
In general, it could be worth keeping an eye on Elite Dangerous for many players who have previously overlooked it. However, many long-time fans of the game have essentially been wishing for this for years.
Competition for Star Citizen? Interestingly, Elite Dangerous is also moving strongly toward Star Citizen with Odyssey.
Because it’s about more than just spaceships there. The social aspects, encounters with other players, shooter gameplay, as well as adventures on planet surfaces, at stations, or in massive cities play a significant role there. Essentially, Star Citizen is a kind of space MMO – or is supposed to be when it’s completely finished.
Exactly this direction is now being taken by Elite Dangerous with Odyssey, making it potentially interesting as an alternative for fans or interested players of Star Citizen. Because Elite Dangerous is already a finished game, the new expansion is set to be released in early 2021 and offers many features that SC also presents – albeit perhaps not in the same quality. However, when Star Citizen will ultimately be finished is still uncertain.
What makes Odyssey also a lot more interesting: Elite Dangerous is available for PC and on PS4 and Xbox One. The expansion should also be released for PC and consoles (and likely for PS5 and Xbox Series X). Star Citizen, however, remains PC-exclusive. With Odyssey, Elite has no competition on consoles and would offer console players what SC cannot – namely a Star Citizen feeling.
For fans of Star Citizen, Elite Dangerous with Odyssey could be quite exciting as well.
What we like so far about Odyssey – and what we don’t
Although we do not yet know the full extent of Odyssey and the features already presented, it is clear: It will be a major step for Elite Dangerous, undoubtedly elevating the game to a new level, but it also brings some risks.
The strengths of Elite Dangerous with Odyssey
- Longtime fan wishes are being fulfilled, making the game more attractive to veterans
- Meaningful additions to the game that could make it a completely new experience
- Great step towards a full-fledged MMO
- With the features of Odyssey, a much broader player base is addressed than the current fan base. Elite Dangerous thus also becomes appealing to fans of other genres and Star Citizen enthusiasts
- Offers a unique experience on consoles. Star Citizen is PC-exclusive
The risks of Elite Dangerous with Odyssey
- The exact extent of all features is not yet known. How well the Space Legs or outposts will perform remains to be seen
- If new elements like the shooter gameplay are not implemented convincingly, Odyssey could push away more players than it attracts – especially potential interested parties outside of the current fan base. And shooters are uncharted territory for Frontier Developments
- Ambitious project that has seen many other games fail
Hit potential with Odyssey – Good
Even if not all features of Odyssey are known yet or their full extent cannot be completely recognized – what has been shown and confirmed so far will not only fulfill some of the biggest fan wishes, but elevate Elite Dangerous to a completely different level.
The game thus takes a big step towards a full-fledged MMO and could even become serious competition for the big Star Citizen.
With the new possibilities of Space Legs and shooter elements, the focus shifts from the ship to an experience centered around the character and their adventures. This will likely make Elite Dangerous interesting for far more players than it has been so far. Shooter and MMO fans might discover an exciting new game for themselves.
If the new elements integrate seamlessly into the existing gameplay and are convincing in quality, Elite Dangerous could indeed become a real hit with Odyssey.
Sven Galitzki
Freelance writer and shooter expert at MeinMMO
