Oddyssey Abandoned In Favor of Colonisation

[ozrix84]

As a long time supporter of Elite, I feel the need to express my growing frustration with the direction (or lack thereof) this game has taken since the launch of Odyssey. What was once a flagship title with unparalleled potential now feels like a disjointed project, abandoned in favor of half-baked and unrelated side features.

When Odyssey launched, it was promised to be a pivotal expansion, bridging the gap to a fully realised, immersive galaxy. Instead, we got:

• barebones on-foot mechanics with shallow, repetitive gameplay loops
• unoptimized performance, which (while somewhat improved) still sticks out as a sore thumb
• lack of integration between the core space sim mechanics and the new ground based gameplay

Promises were made that Oddyssey would evolve and grow, but it’s clear that Frontier has pivoted away from fixing it and leaving it to rot. Features that could have breathed life into it (dynamic settlements, seamless ship to foot transitions, and meaningful missions) are nowhere to be seen.

System Colonization: A Distraction?​

The announcement of the colonization feature is a head scratcher. While it could be an interesting addition, it feels like a complete departure from what Elite currently needs - cohesion and depth. Introducing this feature while leaving Odyssey in its current state only highlights how disjointed the game has become.

Why prioritize colonization over finishing the systems and features we were promised? Why pivot to yet another isolated mechanic instead of improving the core game and integrating existing elements?

Suggested Shift In Focus​

• deliver on the promise of on-foot gameplay. Improve missions, settlements, and the integration of ground and space systems
• stop introducing new features in isolation. Tie together colonization, exploration, and fleet mechanics into a unified experience
• Elite should be your priority. Side projects are fine, but not at the expense of your most loyal community and your flagship game

TLDR; I feel there's a lack of committment on Frontier's side to the features they add, leaving them in a sorry state for years on end to the game's detriment. Instead, the developer opts to chase the next shiny new thing.

Thx for reading, bro.

 

[rootsrat]

While I don't like to use the word "promise" (really? Fdev "promised" all that to you?), I agree that on foot content was somewhat neglected due to extreme focus on 2nd Thargoid War and the development of PP2.0, the new ships and - now we know - colonisation.

It's tricky I guess, having to juggle so many things with a limited resource (remember the redundancies?).

Also, I disagree with saying that "Odyseey" didn't get updates - it did, quite significant ones. Powerplay 2.0 and upcoming Colonisation are all part of Ody DLC and are rather big pieces of development. It is "on-foot gameplay" specifically that was neglected.

Saying all that:

• if they focused more on the on-foot content, we'd have complaints about other stuff being neglected
• releasing MVP and then leaving it for a few good years (or never touching it again, see smuggling or piracy gameplay) is a pretty standard modus operandi for fdev, so nothing new there.

Let's hope they will eventually introduce at least some qol improvements soon(ish).

 

[ozrix84]

While I don't like to use the word "promise" (really? Fdev "promised" all that to you?

Thx for the response, though I'm afraid we're seeing this from two different galaxies.

First, about "promises." It's true that Frontier might not have pinky sworn over a ceremonial ship hull that Odyssey would be the revolutionary expansion players were dreaming of, but let’s not pretend they didn’t heavily market it as the next step for Elite. After years of players begging for space legs, Odyssey was supposed to deliver the goodies.

Second, this idea that PP 2.0 and colonization are "part of Odyssey" because they’re technically not tied to another expansion.. Colonization and PP don’t enhance or integrate with the on-foot systems in any meaningful way, so calling them "part of Odyssey" is like saying a toaster is part of a microwave because they both sit on the same kitchen counter.

To quote another point you raised: "if Frontier focused on on-foot gameplay, people would complain about other things being neglected." That sounds ilke the classic "you can’t make everyone happy" defense, but here’s the thing: balancing priorities is literally Frontier’s job. Nobody’s asking them to ignore everything else, but maybe - just maybe - they could fully develop the systems they already introduced before moving on to the next shiny distraction. Instead, they drop a MVP (Minimum Viable Product), pat themselves on the back, and leave it to catch dust while they chase the next headline feature.

At the end of the day, Odyssey is a classic example of Frontier’s "launch it and leave it" strategy. It’s frustrating, but maybe colonization will tie it all together, and we’ll look back on this and laugh. Whether that's a possibility is up to anyone's discretion.

 

[Vedmo]

My secret to enjoying ED now is to rarely if ever hit Disembark, so while I'm personally fine with on foot being left as in favor of more flying space ship stuff, I think it is fair to want Odyssey content improved on and expanded as well, for those who enjoy it. I don't know if Colonization or any other new plans are necessarily a distraction it though. I'd guess after pausing development to fix Odyssey, they looked at it all from a financial perspective and decided to do what they can with what resources they have allotted this title to keep the bar above maintenance mode but likely never hitting new expansion levels of development again, and that diving back into what was a major blunder probably isn't topping list.

 

[ozrix84]

My secret to enjoying ED now is to rarely if ever hit Disembark, so while I'm personally fine with on foot being left as in favor of more flying space ship stuff, I think it is fair to want Odyssey content improved on and expanded as well, for those who enjoy it. I don't know if Colonization or any other new plans are necessarily a distraction it though. I'd guess after pausing development to fix Odyssey, they looked at it all from a financial perspective and decided to do what they can with what resources they have allotted this title to keep the bar above maintenance mode but likely never hitting new expansion levels of development again, and that diving back into what was a major blunder probably isn't topping list.

Thx for the feedback, Cmdr Vedmo. If you’re focused on the outer space aspect of ED, I can see why Odyssey might not be a priority. But for me (and perhaps others), Odyssey represents more than just the addition of on-foot gameplay - it’s about expanding the universe by creating a deeper, more immersive experience for everyone.

You mentioned that ED is likely operating with limited resources now, and that’s probably true, but this is exactly why I think Odyssey deserved more attention. If Frontier had focused on properly integrating space and ground gameplay (missions that tie the two together, Thargoid ground encounters), it could have elevated the entire game for everyone, not just space legs players. Instead, Odyssey feels mostly like a disconnected bolt-on, and when Frontier shifts focus to things like colonisation, it risks creating another isolated system that doesn’t contribute meaningfully to the broader experience apart from being a numbers game that spawns assets we're all already familiar with.

I get that Odyssey was a major fail at launch, but does that mean it should just be abandoned? To me, fixing and expanding it isn’t about pandering to a niche. It’s about realizing the potential of ED as a cohesive, immersive universe.

You’re probably right that we’ll never see another expansion-level development for the game again, but wouldn’t it make sense to double down on what’s already there rather than trying to distract players with new, disconnected features? I would think so.

 

[rootsrat]

Odyssey (...) the next step for Elite.

It is though. It brought the revolution. You are no longer a ship, you're the character. This is literally next step for Elite. It is MVP, no question about that, but both are not mutually exclusive.

Second, this idea that PP 2.0 and colonization are "part of Odyssey" because they’re technically not tied to another expansion.. Colonization and PP don’t enhance or integrate with the on-foot systems in any meaningful way, so calling them "part of Odyssey" is like saying a toaster is part of a microwave because they both sit on the same kitchen counter.

That's not a matter of opinion. Powerplay 2.0 and Colonisation are 100% part of Odyssey DLC. They don't bring much new stuff in terms of on-foot gameplay. But they are undeniable part of Odyssey and that's a hard fact.

To quote another point you raised: "if Frontier focused on on-foot gameplay, people would complain about other things being neglected." That sounds ilke the classic "you can’t make everyone happy" defense, but here’s the thing: balancing priorities is literally Frontier’s job.

I agree. Not sure why you took my post as "defense". I didn't take your post as "attack", so I was not "defending" anything. Merely expressing my views on the matter.

Nobody’s asking them to ignore everything else, but maybe - just maybe - they could fully develop the systems they already introduced before moving on to the next shiny distraction. Instead, they drop a MVP (Minimum Viable Product), pat themselves on the back, and leave it to catch dust while they chase the next headline feature.

Again, I agree. If you look at my post history, this one of my main criticism of the game and it's development - not enough focus on fleshing out the existing stuff. Saying that, they did indeed flesh out 2 main features of the game in the recent years - Thargoid war and Powerplay. They just didn't expand on the stuff YOU wanted them to expand. So they are in fact fully developing systems they already introduced before. Again, that's a fact, not an opinion.

So in that department personally I am pretty happy with that.

At the end of the day, Odyssey is a classic example of Frontier’s "launch it and leave it" strategy.

100% agree and again it was one of my main points of criticism for years.

 

[ozrix84]

Thx for the reply. To re-iterate and react to the points you've just raised -

It is though. It brought the revolution. You are no longer a ship, you're the character. This is literally next step for Elite

I can agree that Odyssey represented a major shift by introducing the player as a character rather than just a ship. That’s undeniably a significant conceptual leap for the game and I was initially as hyped as the next guy. However, the problem isn’t the concept, but the execution. The on-foot gameplay is more shallow than not, disconnected from the rest of the game and underdeveloped in a way that prevents it from truly feeling like a cohesive "next step". To me, calling Odyssey a revolution is a bit like celebrating the foundation of a skyscraper before a single floor has been built; it’s potential without payoff.

That's not a matter of opinion. Powerplay 2.0 and Colonisation are 100% part of Odyssey DLC. They don't bring much new stuff in terms of on-foot gameplay. But they are undeniable part of Odyssey and that's a hard fact.

I don’t dispute that these features are technically part of the Odyssey DLC. My point is that they don’t address the core issue with the DLC: the lack of meaningful integration between space and on-foot gameplay. Yes, PP 2.0 and colonization exist within the Odyssey framework, but they do little to expand or deepen the on-foot systems that were supposed to define the expansion. They feel like separate, unrelated updates rather than part of a cohesive vision for Odyssey.

Again, I agree. If you look at my post history, this one of my main criticism of the game and it's development - not enough focus on fleshing out the existing stuff. Saying that, they did indeed flesh out 2 main features of the game in the recent years - Thargoid war and Powerplay.

It's cool to hear that you share the criticism about their tendency to abandon features. However, I think we’re interpreting Frontier’s recent efforts differently. While PP and the Thgargoid war have seen some attention, I wouldn’t call them fully fleshed out. PP is still niche, and the war, while engaging for combat focused players, left much to be desired for those otherwise interested in exploration, trading or on-foot missions. Meanwhile, the lack of integration between these systems and Odyssey's core mechanics only reinforces my point about the game feeling fragmented.

They just didn't expand on the stuff YOU wanted them to expand. So they are in fact fully developing systems they already introduced before. Again, that's a fact, not an opinion.

So in that department personally I am pretty happy with that.

You’re right that Frontier can’t please everyone, but I’d argue that focusing on Odyssey would benefit the game as a whole. A deeper, more integrated on-foot experience wouldn’t just appeal to "space legs" players. It could elevate the entire universe by creating new mission types, exploration opportunities, and dynamic events that tie directly into ship-based gameplay. Odyssey has the potential to be the glue that binds all these systems together, and ignoring it feels like a missed opportunity.

Another thought I’d like to add is about player engagement. The 'rinse and repeat' cycle of ED is really evident when you look at the Steam Charts (https://steamcharts.com/app/359320). Frontier releases an update (like the recent MKV / Mandalay combo), and player numbers spike for a month or so, and then they drop right back down. This pattern happens over and over again because these updates aren’t giving players enough depth or integration to stay invested long-term. Frontier does just enough to keep ED off life support, but it feels like they’re more interested in maintaining a pulse than actually revitalizing the game.

At the end of the day, I think we both agree on one key point: Frontier has a habit of launching features in an MVP state and leaving them to languish. My frustration is that Odyssey (while being arguably the most ambitious expansion in the game’s history) is being handled the same way. I’d like to see Frontier prove us both wrong by truly delivering on its potential in the future, but I’m not holding my breath.

 

[GroG79]

Such strong words for a product/expansion no one has ever seen

If you feel that this is how Frontier builds its games. You better get used to it.

 

[ozrix84]

Such strong words for a product/expansion no one has ever seen

If you feel that this is how Frontier builds its games. You better get used to it.

This isn’t about feelings - it’s about patterns. Based on history, I’m not holding my breath for anything more than another shiny progress bar to babysit. If you’re okay with that, cool. I’m just not ready to lower my expectations without asking for better.

 

[Knuttin Atoll]

That's not a matter of opinion. Powerplay 2.0 and Colonisation are 100% part of Odyssey DLC. They don't bring much new stuff in terms of on-foot gameplay. But they are undeniable part of Odyssey and that's a hard fact.

Wait a minute... Are you saying that Horizons only players don't/won't have access to PP2.0 and Colonisation? Because if that's not what you're saying then your statement that both are part of the Odyssey DLC is wrong - unlike the new ships which are indeed free with Odyssey (after the early access phase at least).

 

[Disemboweled Ego]

Odyssey was such a failure that abandoning the on-foot gameplay is sadly the right move here. Taking a few more step back and making just landable planets play better in ships/srvs would fulfill some things I expected from Odyssey like fleshing out horizons planetary gameplay which also had potential and was abandoned .

• deliver on the promise of on-foot gameplay. Improve missions, settlements, and the integration of ground and space systems
• stop introducing new features in isolation. Tie together colonization, exploration, and fleet mechanics into a unified experience

With colonization building stuff on planets could be the main reason to visit and explore said planets.

Odyssey alone doesn't give enough to do on planets since it's a bunch of recycled and obsolete horizons mechanics. The random surface POIs still provide no real rewards and were more fun to find using the wave scanner. The odyssey settlements might as well be instanced maps since the terrain around them doesn't really matter beyond finding a landing spot (which is probably guaranteed by flattening around the settlements).

Exobiology is too random to feel rewarding - once you're down on the planet you can't really apply any skill to reliably find stuff beyond "it can spawn in this type of terrain". Also moving around on foot is too slow and moving around in a ship/srv takes you out of it because of the long disembark times and lack of useful ship/srv based exobiology tools.

To work planetside Odyssey would need to have cutting edge planet tech that can wow players on it's own (like Horizons kinda did) or take additional steps to make planets fun to just be on and explore in-depth because there's stuff to do around every corner. Elite probly can't do either because of it's design ethos - things have to be realistic and barren without too many artificial distractions and hand-designed content/encounters are kept to a bare minimum.

 

[Stelar 7]

As a long time supporter of Elite, I feel the need to express my growing frustration with the direction (or lack thereof) this game has taken since the launch of Odyssey. What was once a flagship title with unparalleled potential now feels like a disjointed project, abandoned in favor of half-baked and unrelated side features.

When Odyssey launched, it was promised to be a pivotal expansion, bridging the gap to a fully realised, immersive galaxy. Instead, we got:

• barebones on-foot mechanics with shallow, repetitive gameplay loops
• unoptimized performance, which (while somewhat improved) still sticks out as a sore thumb
• lack of integration between the core space sim mechanics and the new ground based gameplay

Promises were made that Oddyssey would evolve and grow, but it’s clear that Frontier has pivoted away from fixing it and leaving it to rot. Features that could have breathed life into it (dynamic settlements, seamless ship to foot transitions, and meaningful missions) are nowhere to be seen.

System Colonization: A Distraction?​

The announcement of the colonization feature is a head scratcher. While it could be an interesting addition, it feels like a complete departure from what Elite currently needs - cohesion and depth. Introducing this feature while leaving Odyssey in its current state only highlights how disjointed the game has become.

Why prioritize colonization over finishing the systems and features we were promised? Why pivot to yet another isolated mechanic instead of improving the core game and integrating existing elements?

Suggested Shift In Focus​

• deliver on the promise of on-foot gameplay. Improve missions, settlements, and the integration of ground and space systems
• stop introducing new features in isolation. Tie together colonization, exploration, and fleet mechanics into a unified experience
• Elite should be your priority. Side projects are fine, but not at the expense of your most loyal community and your flagship game

TLDR; I feel there's a lack of committment on Frontier's side to the features they add, leaving them in a sorry state for years on end to the game's detriment. Instead, the developer opts to chase the next shiny new thing.

Thx for reading, bro.

The thing that blows my mind about gripe threads like this is the unending lack of specificity.

This is like reading a political transcript for an opposition opponent, long on emotion and no details.

Let's look at one complaint as an example.

"No meaningful odesey missions."

Ironically there is no meaning to this sentence. What makes any mission meaningful? A shift in the BGS? Well that's already there.

So define this term, what specifically do you want to be able to do on foot but can't? Are you looking for a Starfield like voiced quest? Wrong game. Romancable companionship? Wrong game.

Do you want to be the mayor of tiny town? That's colonization.

Flesh this out, what is a meaningful mission, be detailed and specific.

Otherwise your unhappy and no one should care because there isn't enough information to give you what you want.

 

[Ohanka]

If anything the large amounts of negative feedback from both players & gaming press immediately following Odyssey’s disastrous release prompted FDEV to refocus on spaceship things for the spaceship game.

 

[Rhaazerus Orzhov]

TLDR; I feel there's a lack of committment on Frontier's side to the features they add, leaving them in a sorry state for years on end to the game's detriment. Instead, the developer opts to chase the next shiny new thing.

You're beginning to see it.
FDev are the masters of disillusionment.

 

[Tifu]

To work planetside Odyssey would need to have cutting edge planet tech that can wow players on it's own (like Horizons kinda did) or take additional steps to make planets fun to just be on and explore in-depth because there's stuff to do around every corner. Elite probly can't do either because of it's design ethos - things have to be realistic and barren without too many artificial distractions and hand-designed content/encounters are kept to a bare minimum.

I think you're right on the mark on this. There already has been hints about the aerodynamic superiority of the Mandalay (and possibly the Cobra Mk5) but that's not going to be a reality without additional work planet side.

 

[varonica]

First I've heard of complaints about to many things to do, usually it's "inch deep, mile wide." I personally won't be doing colonisation, so having the on foot stuff available to do instead is nice, and I am sure there are players who never touch on foot stuff, like players with Horizons live for instance, who welcome a new space based initiative where they can fully participate!

New planet are always going to be a welcome addition, maybe they will surprise us with this update, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I suspect the next big paid update after colonisation will be more planets, never give up hope I say!

 

[metatheurgist]

Feels like the pizza dough is just spreading thinner most days.

 

[DemiserofD]

Honestly, integrating all the different aspects of this game has been its biggest missing piece for ages. It's like having a rail system, a road system, and an underground, but no way to get from one to the other. And barely anyone uses the rail or the underground, but they decide to add an airport too because not enough people are getting around and the roads are always clogged.

Add a walkway to get from the underground to the rail, and add a parking lot at a few of the railway stations, and you can exponentially increase the effectiveness of all three, with a fraction the resources it took to design them in the first place.

Instead, we've gradually been actively devaluing existing content, like allowing collector limpets to scoop off planets so we don't even need to use SRVs anymore, while keeping the painful planetary landing mechanics instead of allowing us to deploy the SRV from the air, and keeping the painful odyssey blackscreens that make us not want to get out of our ship.

 

[Nowski]

The thing that blows my mind about gripe threads like this

For me, it's more: what on earth do the posters hope to achieve?

Since it's undeniably an enjoyable pastime for some, though, maybe a new forum section, like "Amateur Hour Game Design", "Pointless Whining", or "FDEV BAD" would be worthwhile. At least they'd be easier to ignore that way.

 

[Barking_Mad]

IMO Colonisation increases the possibility that the next update/expansion will feature more planetary types.