ANNOUNCEMENT Lavecon 2019 Content Reveal

Paige Harvey

Community Manager
Hello everyone,

Elite Dangerous commanders from across the galaxy have come to celebrate all things Elite Dangerous at this year's Lavecon - HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!

The event is very much in full swing and moments ago, the team had the pleasure to take to the stage and unveil a few details about what's coming next to Elite Dangerous in the September update. In addition to all of that, we also revealed what commanders can expect at the end of the year!

If you weren't able to attend Lavecon this year, rest assured that we have you covered! Here's a breakdown of everything that was revealed:


Discovery Scanner Special with Dav Stott - Lavecon Special!

Dav, Lead Server Developer, started the presentation by hosting his very own episode of Discovery Scanner, detailing some of the work made when we introduced Background Simulation faction changes in Beyond - Chapter Four. Rest assured, if you weren't able to attend, we'll be bringing back the episode in a future livestream!

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September Update

New "In Ship" Starter Experience


Following on from what we set out to achieve with this year's initial updates, we will be introducing a whole new starting experience right from the cockpit of a commander's first ship, a loaned Sidewinder. With clearer instructions and guidance during the beginning of Elite Dangerous, we believe this will lead to a more engaging way to learn the basics and help commanders understand the tools they have at their disposal to become fully-fledged pilots. We can't wait to see how these new commanders will involve themselves in the galaxy in the same way many of you have!

At the start of the experience, commanders will be guided through essential pilot training by a flight instructor from the Pilots Federation. During this training, a number of lessons will be taught to commanders, from space flight to combat.
  • Basic flight controls and scanning.
  • Supercruise and navigation.
  • A combat exercise around a megaship.
  • Culminating with the final lesson: completing one's first Hyperspace Jump and docking at a starport.
All of the training will include VO across our supported languages, so whether you're a commander, un commandant or ein kommandant, you'll be able to follow each exercise without issue!

Veteran commanders out there who wish to experience the training will also be able to access it in the 'Training Section' via the right-hand panel.

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New Livery System and Virtual Currency: ARX

Those on consoles will already be familiar with the concept of Frontier Points and, as part of the September Update, we're reworking and rebranding them as ARX, across all platforms (including PC), ensuring the experience to acquire cosmetics is shared equally for commanders on any platform. This new currency can be purchased, as well as earned by simply playing the game, to acquire Game Extras such as Paint Jobs, Ship Kits, Bobbleheads and more!

As always with our optional additional purchases, ARX can only be used to buy cosmetic Game Extras and will not be used to introduce and acquire pay-to-win purchases. Ultimately, ARX will enable us to...
  • Bring parity across all of our platforms
    At the current time, PC commanders purchase cosmetics directly from the Frontier Store with real world currency, while those on consoles must first purchase Frontier Points before acquiring that new and shiny Paint Job. With the introduction of ARX, the method of purchasing and spending ARX will be the same experience regardless of what platform you’re on.
  • Allow commanders to earn customisation items through gameplay
    As part of the update to the livery system and the introduction of ARX, commanders will be able to acquire cosmetic items by simply playing the game! We won't ask commanders to change how they play, simply being an active player and engaging with the game is all that's required. A number of ARX can be earned each week and will be instantly added to a player's ARX balance and can be spent there and then, or saved for later. We'll have more details on how these can be earned in-game and the amount you can earn, closer to the release of the September Update.

  • Introduce a new, flexible and informed choice when purchasing Game Extras
    We've made improvements to the entire in-game ship livery system, providing commanders with previews of all the different customisation options for their ships and multiple angles!

    Commanders will be able to purchase individual Game Extras that were previously only available in entire packs. For example, if you wanted the Anaconda White Pharaoh Paint Job, you would no longer need to purchase the entire Anaconda Horus Paint Pack to obtain it. We're still going to be putting together bundles and packages, but this new system will allow commanders to buy the majority of Game Extras individually.


  • Offering commanders the ability to change their ship's appearance from the main menu
    One of the biggest improvements we are introducing is the ability to access the ship livery from the main menu, so even explorers out in the black will be able to change up their ship's appearance without needing to head all the way back to civilization!
Please read our FAQ for all the information and post any of your questions about ARX here.

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Please note, ARX values in these images are not final and subject to change.

December Update

We couldn't end the presentation without a glimpse of what's coming at the end of the year: FLEET CARRIERS.

We'll let the video below do the talking --MASSIVE FRAMESHIFT SURGE DETECTED--


We'll have more details about the September Update and Fleet Carriers in the near future, so keep an eye on all of our future announcements and social channels!

We'd also like to extend a big thank you to all of the organisers of Lavecon and the commanders who are attending today to share their passion for all things Elite Dangerous. It's time for us to get back to the action, so see you soon... and fly safe, commanders!
 
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Looks rubbish tbf. 5 years in and they're pushing the livery rubbish because it makes them cash. I'm tempted to open a book 1/3 fleet carriers don't come out in 2019.

Also wasting resources on a training vid when it's not that hard to pick up. How about some new gameplay features?? Also if you do pls don't make them a repetitive grind
 
Hello everyone,

Elite Dangerous commanders from across the galaxy have come to celebrate all things Elite Dangerous at this year's Lavecon - HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!

The event is very much in full swing and moments ago, the team had the pleasure to take to the stage and unveil a few details about what's coming next to Elite Dangerous in the September update. In addition to all of that, we also revealed what commanders can expect at the end of the year!

If you weren't able to attend Lavecon this year, rest assured that we have you covered! Here's a breakdown of everything that was revealed:


Discovery Scanner Special with Dav Stott - Lavecon Special!

Dav, Lead Server Developer, started the presentation by hosting his very own episode of Discovery Scanner, detailing some of the work made when we introduced Background Simulation faction changes in Beyond - Chapter Four. Rest assured, if you weren't able to attend, we'll be bringing back the episode in a future livestream!


September Update

New "In Ship" Starter Experience


Following on from what we set out to achieve with this year's initial updates, we will be introducing a whole new starting experience right from the cockpit of a commander's first ship, a loaned Sidewinder. With clearer instructions and guidance during the beginning of Elite Dangerous, we believe this will lead to a more engaging way to learn the basics and help commanders understand the tools they have at their disposal to become fully-fledged pilots. We can't wait to see how these new commanders will involve themselves in the galaxy in the same way many of you have!

At the start of the experience, commanders will be guided through essential pilot training by a flight instructor from the Pilots Federation. During this training, a number of lessons will be taught to commanders, from space flight to combat.
  • Basic flight controls and scanning.
  • Supercruise and navigation.
  • A combat exercise around a megaship.
  • Culminating with the final lesson: completing one's first Hyperspace Jump and docking at a starport.
All of the training will include VO across our supported languages, so whether you're a commander, un commandant or ein kommandant, you'll be able to follow each exercise without issue!

Veteran commanders out there who wish to experience the training will also be able to access it in the 'Training Section' via the right-hand panel.


New Livery System and Virtual Currency: Arx

Those on consoles will already be familiar with the concept of Frontier Points and, as part of the September Update, we're reworking and rebranding them as Arx, across all platforms (including PC), ensuring the experience to acquire cosmetics is shared equally for commanders on any platform. This new currency can be purchased, as well as earned by simply playing the game, to acquire Game Extras such as Paint Jobs, Ship Kits, Bobbleheads and more!

As always with our optional additional purchases, Arx can only be used to buy cosmetic Game Extras and will not be used to introduce and acquire pay-to-win purchases. Ultimately, Arx will enable us to...
  • Bring parity across all of our platforms
    At the current time, PC commanders purchase cosmetics directly from the Frontier Store with real world currency, while those on consoles must first purchase Frontier Points before acquiring that new and shiny Paint Job. With the introduction of Arx, the method of purchasing and spending Arx will be the same experience regardless of what platform you’re on.
  • Allow commanders to earn customisation items through gameplay
    As part of the update to the livery system and the introduction of Arx, commanders will be able to acquire cosmetic items by simply playing the game! We won't ask commanders to change how they play, simply being an active player and engaging with the game is all that's required. A number of Arx can be earned each week and will be instantly added to a player's Arx balance and can be spent there and then, or saved for later. We'll have more details on how these can be earned in-game and the amount you can earn, closer to the release of the September Update.

  • Introduce a new, flexible and informed choice when purchasing Game Extras
    We've made improvements to the entire in-game ship livery system, providing commanders with previews of all the different customisation options for their ships and multiple angles!

    Commanders will be able to purchase individual Game Extras that were previously only available in entire packs. For example, if you wanted the Anaconda White Pharaoh Paint Job, you would no longer need to purchase the entire Anaconda Horus Paint Pack to obtain it. We're still going to be putting together bundles and packages, but this new system will allow commanders to buy the majority of Game Extras individually.


  • Offering commanders the ability to change their ship's appearance from the main menu
    One of the biggest improvements we are introducing is the ability to access the ship livery from the main menu, so even explorers out in the black will be able to change up their ship's appearance without needing to head all the way back to civilization!
Please read our FAQ for all the information and post any of your questions about Arx here.


Please note, Arx values in these images are not final and subject to change.

December Update

We couldn't end the presentation without a glimpse of what's coming at the end of the year: FLEET CARRIERS.

We'll let the video below do the talking --MASSIVE FRAMESHIFT SURGE DETECTED--


We'll have more details about the September Update and Fleet Carriers in the near future, so keep an eye on all of our future announcements and social channels!

We'd also like to extend a big thank you to all of the organisers of Lavecon and the commanders who are attending today to share their passion for all things Elite Dangerous. It's time for us to get back to the action, so see you soon... and fly safe, commanders!
Well that's... actually not much. I'm not asking exactly what, more like if there's gonna be more in the september and december updates, don't get me wrong, the new cosmetics system is pretty cool, fleet carriers will probably change the game, but I was expecting something more after months of silence from the team...
 
Looks rubbish tbf. 5 years in and they're pushing the livery rubbish because it makes them cash. I'm tempted to open a book 1/3 fleet carriers don't come out in 2019.

Also wasting resources on a training vid when it's not that hard to pick up. How about some new gameplay features?? Also if you do pls don't make them a repetitive grind

Apt name :D

They add a way to earn cosmetics in-game for free, you decry it as a cash grab :D

They add noob onboarding. (Because they'd like them to stick around and buy the 2020 DLC. Which would also help keep the game alive for us vets). You see it all as a waste of resources...

I'll take that punt by the way :)
 
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I am not extremely surpirsed about the extra and the in-game shop. It doesn't really bother me so much. After all, the game is not free to produce. Let's see how these Arx points are earned. It reminds me a lot of Star Trek Online where you could 'buy' all the extras just by playing the game, some did LOL
 

Viajero

Volunteer Moderator
This has to be the most dissapointing update I've seen you guys do the big announcement is the announcement from last year is happening and a cash shop?.....

Wow this is a new level of terrible marketing

It is... pretty much what they would say they would do with the 2019 update roadmap?
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/important-community-update-01-03.479122/

The first two of these updates will primarily focus on new player and welcoming experiences, and we will also be introducing a number of quality of life improvements for the entire player base, of which we will have more news on in the coming weeks.

The carriers confirmation comes on top.
 
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