In April 2024, the SciFi MMO Elite Dangerous offered spaceships for the real-money currency ARX for the first time, breaking a promise to the community. The subsequent criticism fizzled out. Now the developers are repeating the move.
What’s new in Elite Dangerous? On August 7, 2024, Update 18.08 for the SciFi MMO was released. New features include:
- Balancing adjustments for engineering
- greater yield of materials from various sources
- more engineering raw materials from missions
- adjustments to the engineering blueprints
- more rewards for engineers for participating in the Thargoid war
Additionally, with the two Type-8 ships Standard and Stellar, there are two new additions that are likely to be the dream of any trader due to their mix of large cargo space (406 tons), solid speed, good heat resistance, and high fuel efficiency.
Elite Dangerous is the perfect space simulation – here’s a trailer:
The catch: For now, you can only obtain the two early access spaceships through the real-money currency ARX. The standard version costs 16,520 ARX (a package for just under 11.50 euros should suffice), while the Stellar alternative with red paint, a special cargo transport equipment, and more cargo space is said to be worth 33,000 ARX (meaning you need to invest almost 23 euros).
Frontier ignores criticism
This isn’t the first time! In April 2024, the developers of Elite Dangerous introduced spaceships for the real-money currency ARX for the first time and thus broke a promise to the community. Almost five years earlier, the responsible parties at Frontier Developments had insisted that ARX would only be used to purchase cosmetic items. They wanted to avoid Pay2Win at all costs.
However, the sale of spaceships for real-money currency was perceived by parts of the community as a clear Pay2Win move. The criticism was significant. The protest apparently achieved little, as the developers are repeating this step.
At least: Update 18.08 brings the Python MK II, a spaceship that was previously only sold as an early access offer for ARX, into the regular stores. Now you can secure the Python for 79 million in-game credits. There’s also trouble with another SciFi MMO: Star Citizen prohibits employees from working from home – he sues and ends up receiving 32,000 euros
