While today marks the big release of Elite Dangerous’ oft-delayed and much-anticipated revamp to the powerplay system along with the early access for the exploration-focused Mandalay ship, players are even more excited about a few additional announcements from Frontier Developments’ latest livestream.
First – and as promised – a fourth new ship is coming to the game. The Cobra Mk V is an all-purpose ship reminiscent of the existing Cobra Mk III but with improved performance and stats and a completely redesigned cockpit that includes enhanced visibility. The Mk V fits on a medium landing pad, so it’ll be able to fulfill a multitude of versatile roles.
Second, a brand-new game system was unveiled: system colonization. This system will allow players to claim an unpopulated system within the game and build structures that can be used by other players such as star ports, planetary settlements, and outposts. Players can claim multiple systems, but they must be within a certain (yet unannounced) distance from currently populated systems. The goal, Frontier says, is to create an ever-changing and adjusting “bubble” revealing new trade routes and potentially new dangers with each warp.
While we won’t have full details (such as a release date) yet, at least we now have something else to look forward to after the current update bakes in.
And as for that update, we’re expecting the servers back up with the Ascendancy patch around 11 a.m. EDT.
🛠️ Elite Dangerous servers are now offline for the deployment of Elite Dangerous: Ascendancy. We anticipate the maintenance being complete around 3pm GMT.
Update notes available with the launch of Ascendancy. pic.twitter.com/7GRMyWm5Ov
— Elite Dangerous (@EliteDangerous) October 31, 2024
