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Difference between revisions of "Elite Dangerous"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎Availability: restoring the Epic account requirement, per https://customersupport.frontier.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360017578419-Account-Help-for-new-Elite-players-from-the-Epic-Games-Store-)
(Monetization, Odyssey information, more companion apps)
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}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|offline=no}} (regular server updates; cannot be played offline).<ref name="Newsletter 49">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cea4f4cd56 Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #49]</ref><ref name="server frequency">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58789&page=9&p=997553&viewfull=1#post997553 No Single Player offline Mode then? - Page 9]</ref>
 
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|offline=no}} (regular server updates; cannot be played offline).<ref name="Newsletter 49">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=cea4f4cd56 Elite: Dangerous Newsletter #49]</ref><ref name="server frequency">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58789&page=9&p=997553&viewfull=1#post997553 No Single Player offline Mode then? - Page 9]</ref>
 +
 +
==Monetization==
 +
{{Monetization
 +
|ad-supported        =
 +
|dlc                = Various cosmetics for ships, fleet carriers, and player avatars are available through the in-game store or the Frontier Store page for the game.<ref>[https://dlc.elitedangerous.com/ Elite Dangerous Gamestore]</ref>
 +
|expansion pack      = Currently, Odyssey is the only expansion available for (pre) purchase. Until October 27, 2020, Horizons was the other expansion available for purchase<ref>[https://www.frontier.co.uk/news/press-releases/elite-dangerous-horizons-available-now-free-all-commanders Elite Dangerous: Horizons Available Now for Free to All Commanders]</ref>, and since that date, it is part of the base game.
 +
|freeware            =
 +
|free-to-play        =
 +
|sponsored          =
 +
|subscription        =
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Microtransactions===
 +
{{Microtransactions
 +
|boost              =
 +
|cosmetic            =
 +
|currency            = "Arx" is the premium currency used in Elite: Dangerous. It is used exclusively to purchase cosmetics.
 +
|finite spend        =
 +
|infinite spend      =
 +
|free-to-grind      = Players can obtain up to 400 Arx per week for free by playing the game. Frontier also gives away a large amount of Arx during the lead-up to Christmas.
 +
|loot box            =
 +
|player trading      =
 +
|time-limited        =
 +
|unlock              =
 +
}}
 +
  
 
{{DLC|
 
{{DLC|
{{ii}} This game has in-game micro-transactions (not listed below).<ref>[https://store.zaonce.net/game-extras.html Game Extras]</ref>
 
 
 
{{DLC/row| Lifetime Expansion Pass | No longer sold. Includes access to all major expansions. | Windows }}
 
{{DLC/row| Lifetime Expansion Pass | No longer sold. Includes access to all major expansions. | Windows }}
 
{{DLC/row| Ship Paintjobs | Cosmetic purchases available through online store. | Windows }}
 
{{DLC/row| Ship Paintjobs | Cosmetic purchases available through online store. | Windows }}
 
{{DLC/row| Pilot Starter Pack | | Windows }}
 
{{DLC/row| Pilot Starter Pack | | Windows }}
{{DLC/row| Horizons Season Pass | | Windows }}
+
{{DLC/row| Horizons Season Pass | No longer sold (rolled into base game) | Windows }}
 +
{{DLC/row| Odyssey | Currently, there are 2 pre-purchase options; one that grants access to the expansion when it releases and one that grants alpha access as well as an exclusive pilot suit skin and the expansion's soundtrack<ref>[https://www.frontierstore.net/elite-dangerous-odyssey-deluxe-alpha-expansion.html Elite Dangerous: Odyssey - Deluxe Alpha Expansion (Pre-Order)]</ref>| Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
===Companion app===
+
===Companion apps===
{{ii}} A companion app is available for [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elite-dangerous/id897148481 iOS]; other platforms will follow later.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/536615688182706176 Elite Dangerous on Twitter]</ref>
+
{{ii}} An official companion app was available for [https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elite-dangerous/id897148481 iOS]; it was later discontinued.<ref>[https://twitter.com/EliteDangerous/status/536615688182706176 Elite Dangerous on Twitter]</ref>
 +
{{ii}} Many unofficial companion apps have been created by the community; a list is available in [https://forums.frontier.co.uk/forums/elite-api-and-tools/ the game forums]. Some apps feed data to websites such as [https://eddb.io/ EDDB], [https://www.edsm.net/ EDSM], and [https://inara.cz/ Inara], allowing users of these websites to view up-to-date market info and search for specific systems, among other functions.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
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|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  = <ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/7zhi10/is_there_hdr_support_on_pc/dupgyk5/ Is there HDR support on PC?]</ref>
 
|hdr notes                  = <ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/7zhi10/is_there_hdr_support_on_pc/dupgyk5/ Is there HDR support on PC?]</ref>
|color blind                = unknown
+
|color blind                = hackable
|color blind notes          =  
+
|color blind notes          = The HUD color scheme can be changed by editing the GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml file in the \Options\Graphics directory in the game's config directory. See [https://elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/HUD_Color_Editor this page] for more details.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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==Network==
 
==Network==
  
The game uses a hybrid of central servers to process background simulation, amazon cloud servers for matchmaking and gameplay transactions, and P2P for real-time gameplay.
+
The game uses a hybrid of central servers to process the background simulation, Amazon cloud servers for matchmaking and gameplay transactions, and P2P for real-time gameplay.
  
 
The game can be played Single-Player, in a Private Group, or in Open Multiplayer. A character can transfer between these modes at will.
 
The game can be played Single-Player, in a Private Group, or in Open Multiplayer. A character can transfer between these modes at will.

Revision as of 06:30, 25 December 2020

Dev general icon.svg
Although this product has been released, it remains under active development - information may change frequently and could be outdated or irrelevant.
Elite Dangerous
Elite Dangerous cover
Developers
Frontier Developments
Engines
Cobra[1]
Release dates
Windows December 16, 2014
macOS (OS X) March 12, 2015
Reception
Metacritic 80
OpenCritic 79
IGDB 82
Elite Dangerous on HowLongToBeat
Elite Dangerous on IGDB
Elite Dangerous on MobyGames
Elite Dangerous on Wikipedia

Warnings

This game requires a constant internet connection for all game modes.
The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
Elite
Elite 1987
Elite Plus 1991
Frontier: Elite II 1993
Frontier: First Encounters 1995
Elite Dangerous 2014
Elite Dangerous: Arena 2016

Key points

Very complex and customizable controls.
Cross-platform multiplayer

General information

PC Report
Official forums
Elite: Dangerous Wiki
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Developer website
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Steam key available from Partner Keys page.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Epic Games Store
DRM details are not known
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Windows
Oculus Store
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Commander Deluxe Edition
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Always online (requires a constant internet connection to play)
Windows
All versions require a constant internet connection for all game modes (regular server updates; cannot be played offline).[2][3]

Monetization

Type Notes
DLC Various cosmetics for ships, fleet carriers, and player avatars are available through the in-game store or the Frontier Store page for the game.[4]
Expansion pack Currently, Odyssey is the only expansion available for (pre) purchase. Until October 27, 2020, Horizons was the other expansion available for purchase[5], and since that date, it is part of the base game.

Microtransactions

Type Notes
Currency "Arx" is the premium currency used in Elite: Dangerous. It is used exclusively to purchase cosmetics.
Free-to-grind Players can obtain up to 400 Arx per week for free by playing the game. Frontier also gives away a large amount of Arx during the lead-up to Christmas.


DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Lifetime Expansion Pass No longer sold. Includes access to all major expansions.
Windows
Ship Paintjobs Cosmetic purchases available through online store.
Windows
Pilot Starter Pack
Windows
Horizons Season Pass No longer sold (rolled into base game)
Windows
Odyssey Currently, there are 2 pre-purchase options; one that grants access to the expansion when it releases and one that grants alpha access as well as an exclusive pilot suit skin and the expansion's soundtrack[6]
Windows

Essential improvements

Companion apps

An official companion app was available for iOS; it was later discontinued.[7]
Many unofficial companion apps have been created by the community; a list is available in the game forums. Some apps feed data to websites such as EDDB, EDSM, and Inara, allowing users of these websites to view up-to-date market info and search for specific systems, among other functions.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %LOCALAPPDATA%\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/359320/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

Online Only. All account data is stored on the developer's servers.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Epic Games Launcher
Steam Cloud
The game has its own cloud syncing solution on the developer's servers

Video

Graphics settings.
Graphics settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Minor UI problems in galaxy and system maps.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Limited in-game slider. See Field of view (FOV) for details.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
AF is available for planetary surfaces (Part of the Horizons paid DLC)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
FXAA, MLAA, SMAA, and SSAA/resolution scaling
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)
[8]
Color blind mode
The HUD color scheme can be changed by editing the GraphicsConfigurationOverride.xml file in the \Options\Graphics directory in the game's config directory. See this page for more details.

Field of view (FOV)

This game uses vertical FOV. See FOV Calculator for help.
Editing config files[citation needed]
  1. Go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Graphics\
  2. Open Settings.xml in text editor (Notepad for example).
  3. Find line <FOV>XX.000000</FOV> and change value to your desired FoV.

Input

Controls settings.
Controls settings.

Creating or backing up custom control bindings

There is only one custom profile by default. To prevent this being overwritten, or to allow for multiple custom input options, create a new copy of the .binds file.
Creating or backing up a custom control bindings file[citation needed]
  1. Set controls in-game as desired
  2. Go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Frontier Developments\Elite Dangerous\Options\Bindings\
  3. Copy and rename the Custom.binds file, MyBinds1.binds for example.
  4. The renamed file will now appear as a selectable option in-game.

Notes

The new custom file will not be overwritten by game updates, unless directly edited via the controls menu.

Audio

Audio settings.
Audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
7.1 surround systems are supported.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
No option, disabled by default.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Spanish
Russian

VR support

Network

The game uses a hybrid of central servers to process the background simulation, Amazon cloud servers for matchmaking and gameplay transactions, and P2P for real-time gameplay.

The game can be played Single-Player, in a Private Group, or in Open Multiplayer. A character can transfer between these modes at will.

Multiplayer types

Type Native Notes
LAN play
Not supported.[9]
Online play

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Matchmaking supported in Arena combat mode.
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Not supported.[9]
Direct IP

Issues fixed

Permission to dock not granted, but affirmative message given by station authority

This message occurs if all appropriately sized docks are taken by another player or NPC.
Restart the game in solo mode or wait for another player/NPC to leave the dock[citation needed]

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 10, 11 Direct3D 10 support will be removed in a future update.[10]
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Launcher, Crash Reporter, Hardware Reporter and USS.exe are 32-bit only.
macOS (OS X)
Frontier Developments dropped support for MacOS in April 2018

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7, 8, 10 64-bit
Processor (CPU) 2.0 GHz Quad Core
System memory (RAM) 6 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 25 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTX 470
AMD Radeon R7 240
DirectX 11 compatible
Support for 32-bit versions of Windows will be removed in a future update.[10]


Notes

  1. Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References