A question about DLCs in ED (including Odyssey)

[Old Duck]

As I understand it, there is just one actual install package for Elite Dangerous, which is the same whether or not you bought Horizons. In other words, Horizons is basically an "unlock" code that enables players to partake in all the extras in this DLC, but even those who only own the base game are playing on the Horizons "package". Is this correct? I mean, it must be since a non-Horizon's owner can interact with Horizon players flying engineered ships. Since this is the case (correct me if I am wrong), will Odyssey work the same way? Will Odyssey content be in the game that everyone installs, with buying Odyssey as a DLC basically giving users a "key" to access this extra content?

My interest in this topic is multifold, but I'm primarily thinking of my mods.

 

[Riverside]

Seems likely yes.

In a similar fashion all paint jobs are stored locally & the access key connected to your account allows you to use that content or not.

The more interesting question (for me) is whether Horizons will be required for Odyssey, because it seems like it won't be based on what we know so far.

 

[babelfisch]

Seems likely yes.

In a similar fashion all paint jobs are stored locally & the access key connected to your account allows you to use that content or not.

The more interesting question (for me) is whether Horizons will be required for Odyssey, because it seems like it won't be based on what we know so far.

My guess would be that Horizons is included in Odyssey but that players owning Horizons and the base game get a discount.

 

[thistle]

Yeah, seems likely.

 

[Misty_Dark]

That is how it looks on disk, so regardless if you start the base game or horizon, it is the same executable. So it makes sense do make the assumption that Horizon is started with an extra option to enable to Horizon.

So if the they do the same with Odyssey, then it should be the same executable that can launch either base game, Horizon or Odyssey.

 

[Old Duck]

The more interesting question (for me) is whether Horizons will be required for Odyssey, because it seems like it won't be based on what we know so far.

It'll be interesting to see how this is done in-game. We have a planetary approach module (whatever it's officially called) to land on airless planets in Horizons, so will we now have a separate "tenuous atmospheric approach" module for Odyssey? Will we also have a separate "space legs" module that explains why we can get walk around in Odyssey and not Horizons, or will all leg content be limited to atmospheric worlds? I suppose the more logical approach is to require a special EVA suit only available for purchase in Odyssey, kinda like SLFs and SRVs. I just hope I don't need to install an optional EVA "hangar" module to use the EVA suit!

 

[Misty_Dark]

It'll be interesting to see how this is done in-game. We have a planetary approach module (whatever it's officially called) to land on airless planets in Horizons, so will we now have a separate "tenuous atmospheric approach" module for Odyssey? Will we also have a separate "space legs" module that explains why we can get walk around in Odyssey and not Horizons, or will all leg content be limited to atmospheric worlds? I suppose the more logical approach is to require a special EVA suit only available for purchase in Odyssey, kinda like SLFs and SRVs. I just hope I don't need to install an optional EVA "hangar" module to use the EVA suit!

So no space suite "hangar" like this? with space legs and everything all in one...almost there on the space bikini too...

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

I think it.is now just one package with different unlocks. It used to be different once.

 

[babelfisch]

It'll be interesting to see how this is done in-game. We have a planetary approach module (whatever it's officially called) to land on airless planets in Horizons, so will we now have a separate "tenuous atmospheric approach" module for Odyssey? Will we also have a separate "space legs" module that explains why we can get walk around in Odyssey and not Horizons, or will all leg content be limited to atmospheric worlds? I suppose the more logical approach is to require a special EVA suit only available for purchase in Odyssey, kinda like SLFs and SRVs. I just hope I don't need to install an optional EVA "hangar" module to use the EVA suit!

As I said above, Odyssey will be bundled with Horizons.

 

[Old Duck]

As I said above, Odyssey will be bundled with Horizons.

But will Horizons be bundled with Odyssey? That's my original question. I think (and hope) the answer is "yes".

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Though I'm relatively new to video games. I've come to the realization that some games which include small sample of actual games come or are downloaded in there entirety, and if one subscribes to the game, it's already installed and simply unlocks. I mean samples of various games shouldn't be more than a gig or two, not more.

 

[goemon]

with the update today, i had the first time since years to update horizons and the base game seperately.

also, starting the base game does not load several elements at all - for exampel planetary shaders.

so it looks to me if it is in parts differently.

 

[Sapyx]

It's my understanding that, right now, if you (a Horizons owner) and someone else (a non-Horizons owner) are in the same instance in orbit above a Horizons-landable planet, the two of you will see the planet differently. You will see the landable planet, with its mountains, geological features etc, generated using the Horizons planet-surface algorithms. The other guy will only see a planet generated using the same base-game planet-generating algorithms used in Horizons for non-landable planets.

I suspect the same will happen for Odyssey. You can team up, in the same instance, even drive SRVs together on an airless world - but the world will look different to the two players. Obviously, for this to be true, the topography on airless worlds will need to be the same - it will only be the appearance that will be new.

 

[Susanna]

So no space suite "hangar" like this? with space legs and everything all in one...almost there on the space bikini too...

Oh! Do I get to wear a space bikini! Can't wait! Such a cool look with that space suit!

 

[Shiro Akai]

But will Horizons be bundled with Odyssey? That's my original question. I think (and hope) the answer is "yes".

From the pure financial POV Odd-yssey should be 3rd separate piece (after base game and Horizons), requiring both to run. In fact I don't see a reason it wouldn't. Odyssey features planetary walking so you need to get to the surface in the first place, which implies Horizons access.

From the player perspective it is bit forcing purchase. It's a non issue for current Horizon owners as we would just upgrade our accounts with new features. Problem is for people having just base game. It's not uncommon in the industry to include past expansions into bundles (WoW for example, you buy new expansion but previous one gets added to "base" game so when you decide to get "base" game you get everything up to the point of current expansion) so when Odyssey arrives Horizons may be merged into base game.

Or there will be some time limited promo where you can get Horizons for a 5-er. Time will tell, Q1 2021 starts in roughly 3.5 months so we have around 6 months before Odyssey reaches selling point.

 

[Old Duck]

It's my understanding that, right now, if you (a Horizons owner) and someone else (a non-Horizons owner) are in the same instance in orbit above a Horizons-landable planet, the two of you will see the planet differently. You will see the landable planet, with its mountains, geological features etc, generated using the Horizons planet-surface algorithms. The other guy will only see a planet generated using the same base-game planet-generating algorithms used in Horizons for non-landable planets.

I don't believe this is true. Can anyone else confirm or deny?

 

[goemon]

I don't believe this is true. Can anyone else confirm or deny?

i can confirm seeing the same planet differently being logged into the basegame or horizon (i actually rarely start horizon, if i don't intend to land. which means, if out exploring, i'll log out of the base game and into horizon if i find some shiny). whether that applies to being in the same instance, i don#t know (but i think it highly likely).

 

[Old Duck]

i can confirm seeing the same planet differently being logged into the basegame or horizon

Huh... I had no idea! I'll have to try this myself.. Though I'm not sure I can via the Steam launcher. If I can't, maybe somebody can post a screenshot of the same planet from both perspectives.