Long-running space simulator Elite Dangerous is getting a new expansion next year, according to an announcement today from Frontier Developments. The expansion, titled Elite Dangerous: Odyssey, will bring several firsts to the game, including the ability to explore planets on foot.
Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Announcement Trailer
The days of being confined to a spaceship or vehicle in Elite Dangerous are coming to an end. The space MMO’s next update, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey, will add on-foot traversal to the game, granting players a new way to explore the galaxy. Players will get to disembark from their ship to meet new NPCs and complete new missions on distant planets.
The Odyssey expansion will also present new challenges for veteran players and novices alike. Frontier promises an “intense combat experience,” where preparation and team coordination are key. Combat will become much more complex, as battles will involve a convergence of ground vehicles, starships, and on-foot Commanders.
If you need to decompress from the action, you can also retreat to one of the many social hubs that will be scattered throughout the galaxy. Social hubs offer a public space where players can recruit Engineers, upgrade weapons and gear, and form new connections with other players.
“Odyssey is our most ambitious Elite Dangerous expansion to date,” said David Braben, Founder and CEO of Frontier. “Extending coverage to the super-fine scale that is needed for on-foot gameplay while maintaining the vast raw distances measured in light years, is a huge achievement by the team, and greatly extends the already rich Elite Dangerous experience.”
Elite Dangerous: Odyssey will release in early 2021. For more information, visit the official Elite Dangerous website.