Elite: Dangerous is the latest instalment of a long series of epic space games from David Braben and Frontier Developments. Originally starting with “Elite” - one of the most successful games of the 1980s - Elite IV is being developed as both a single player and Massively Multilayer Online experience, and is scheduled to be released in March 2014.
Take a ship and 100 credits to make money legally or illegally - trade, bounty-hunt, pirate, assassinate your way across the galaxy.
The galaxy’s three superpowers; the Empire, Federation and Independents dominate their core systems and are in constant flux trying to outmanoeuvre one another on their frontiers. Outside their influence, in the vast majority of the galaxy, anarchy reigns supreme and spectacular discoveries await the bold.
It’s dog-eat-dog out there – you need to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
The game play style which has been retained throughout the series will be present in Elite IV. The chance to have Real Freedom, the ability to go wherever you like, be whatever you want - be it pirate, bounty hunter, trader, assassin, or some mix of all types, has been at the core of all the Elite games and Elite: Dangerous is going to take that freedom to an even higher level.
- Trade - Buy low, cross dangerous space lanes, evade or destroy pirates en route, then sell high, if you make the journey!
- Fight - Take on the pirates or be one yourself.
- Progress - Get your pilot rating all the way from “Harmless” to “Elite”
- Explore - Head out to the far reaches of space and discover amazing sights
You can choose the play game by yourself, or connect online and work with - and against - other “Elite” pilots.
In the multilayer environment you can not only interact with you friends in co-op mission alliances or battle your enemies in free-for-all group battles and team raids, or bring down planetary economies but your actions will have wider consequences that can even tip the balance of power in the galaxy.
As in all previous games, you start out as a lowly pilot with a small starship and a handful of credits to your name. Apply a little cunning and guile and you could be carving your own path through the richest, largest gaming sandbox ever created, set against a backdrop of raw anarchy, galactic powerplays and intrigue.