Frontier Developments announces plans for the upcoming addition of Fleet
Carriers to
Elite Dangerous, their space exploration and combat game.
They say the
delayed
update will launch in June following an April open beta for PC gamers and a
May open beta for PC and consoles. Before that they will hold a
livestream on YouTube
on April 2nd at 2:00 pm EDT to premier some gameplay and reveal more details.
Here's the plan:
Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) today revealed the
first details on Fleet Carriers, an eagerly awaited update to the long running
space simulator, Elite Dangerous. As mobile starships and trading hubs capable
of transporting multiple allies, Fleet Carriers will be available to players in
two betas ahead of full launch in June. A Frontier stream on April 2 at 18:00
GMT/ 11:00 PST / 14:00 EST will reveal further details. Tune in to watch
here.
Experienced Commanders rejoice, as the long awaited Fleet Carriers venture forth
into the galaxy, offering a range of new ways to experience Elite Dangerous with
expanded emergent gameplay possibilities. Will you be a friend to the galaxy and
support wayward travellers, or a tyrant who taxes those in need?
The most expensive investment to date and costing 5,000,000,000 credits, Fleet
Carriers are individually owned and contain 16 landing pads of varying sizes for
other players to dock their starships in, with a galaxy-spanning jump range of
500 light years.
Once purchased, Commanders can choose whether to invest and open up new services
on their mobile hubs, including repair docks, refuelling stations, shipyards and
more. Incorporating player-to-player commerce for the first time in Elite
Dangerous, Fleet Carrier owners can also set tariffs on all goods traded on
their Carrier's services to support the weekly upkeep costs, from wear and tear
maintenance to crew wages and Tritium, a new fuel commodity needed to power the
megaships.
Aspiring Commanders will be able to customize their Fleet Carriers to their
hearts’ content, adapting these majestic spaceships to their preferred
playstyle, but they will also need to plan and balance their finances to cover
running costs, as persistent debt that eventually exceeds the debt threshold
could see carriers decommissioned and sold for parts.
Two open betas will allow all players to experience Fleet Carriers ahead of
their launch into the live game. Beta 1 is open to PC players and will commence
in April 7. Beta 2 will include PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players and will
take place in May. Fleet Carriers officially launch into the live game on June
2020.
A Frontier livestream on April 2 at 18:00 GMT/ 11:00 PST / 14:00 EST will
premiere gameplay, reveal further details including customisation options and
additional features, and take questions from the community. Join in to hear more
here.