I have been part of the Frontier community playing Elite Dangerous on console starting back in 2018. Since then I saw the wretched release of the FRAUDyssey expansion that took YEARS to make less awful & still continues to be worse than its predecessor.

As of May 2024, Frontier has been at the forefront of losing up to 30% of its share value from the Odyssey release alone, over 20% from it's most recent Warhammer title flop, David Braben, FDev himself stepping down as CEO of Frontier in the wake of bad business practices, terrible treatment of employees after massive layoffs. But don't take my word for it. Listen to Sports Illustrated, one of the most circulated periodicals in the world that has been around for DECADES...

https://videogames.si.com/news/frontier-layoffs-mismanagement

Now whoever is at the helm wants what little is left out of the wreckage of the former community. Frontier wants players to financially rescue the failing company from its own screwups by releasing sweeping changes to its microtransaction store, introducing specially designed ships with unique features locked behind paywalls for many, to work in concert with Powerplay 2.0 which is the upcoming rehashed gamemode that will now be weaponized offering ARX & leaderboard style notoriety to turn the game into blatant pay-to-win while only giving the community less than a week notice that the in-game currency (ARX) was going to be drastically increased in price while also driving UP the price for everything in their store.

People who have been playing Elite Dangerous for a decade or more just saw an increase of, in some cases over 300% for cosmetic items and new pay2win ships, while in the same breath DEVALUING their already earned or purchased ARX. During this time, there has been NO news of new content. The new ships are only going to be variants of older ships. But the biggest most disgusting failure of all, was this sweeping change to the ARX store was also implemented into legacy console versions. Frontier said they were all but abandoning console, but somehow after years of abandonment, came back to their orphaned console community just to raise prices even though it has been made clear they will not have updates including no access to new ships.

Now we are witness & must stand back in awe at the weaponized incompetence from Frontier that’s been documented for years as it has now developed into a singularly desperate & voracious predatory cash grab during its obvious last death throes of a dying game due to stupidity, greed and hubris.

Once upon a time there was a great space exploration simulator called Elite Dangerous. Now the game has turned into a way for people to pay to look like something cool, pay to be better than other players while earning devalued in-game currency. Exploration is DOA. It's all too clear now. This has always been about the bottom line profit for soulless corporate game company stockholders at YOUR expense.


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Ahhh... But what ho?! Lookie here at the blah blah blah from the peanut gallery!

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Blarney77
Extremely DISHONEST review. I might not agree with some of the changes, but this is NOWHERE NEAR PTW! Very Childish review. You obviously have issues with Frontier and want to thrash the company by giving the games they make BAD and Dishonest reviews.
NO PTW HERE! Buying ANYTHING with real money in ED doesn't help you fight players in OPEN! NOTHING here is done to give Real Money buyers any edge. It actually HELPS NEW PLAYERS that are willing to put out a few dollars for something cool to enhance their play. I have been buying paint jobs and ship kits for years because >>I<< wanted them! NO ONE held a gun to my head. >>I<< wanted the extra LOOKS I thought were cool.
The Python II is a cool ship, but it is NOT some leg up on beating out others ion the game! I DO NOT have to spend money on this ship! I can wait till August 7th! However, I CHOOSE to check it out NOW! I LOVE that I get the opportunity.

boweringg
It is easy to disagree with decisions by a company you don't own or control. Cosmetic price increases are irrelevant and don't change performance in game. If they want to raise the price and you don't want to pay, it is the same for any good or service - don't buy it. The price of cosmetics or prebuilt ships has nothing to do with whether the game is good or not. Increasing the prices without warning - fair cop, that is not good practice for those who paid real money like me for the in game currency. But I'll get over it, my feelings will recover and i will still enjoy the game. Pay to progress is a better description of the prebuilt ships. The option to buy something like this is in nearly all monetised live service games. So what is your point about the developer finally, after years, introducing a handful of prebuilt ships that are actually beginner builds?

Bernaue
While I agree with a good chunk of this review in terms of the ARX changes, and FDev making us pay for their mistakes, there is a minor mistake.

None of the ships being sold in the ARX store with Update 18.04 are Pay-2-Win. The ships are identical to what players can buy ingame, and the pre-installed modules are all available to buy or unlock ingame.

The only ship that players currently can't buy ingame is the Python Mark II, which will be available for purchase ingame from August. This ship does handle the new Supercruise Overdrive feature better, however this does not give an inherent advantage as it is only useful when travelling in supercruise.


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The Python MK2 is locked behind an early access paywall. It is touted to be a direct competitor to the Fer De Lance, the preferred choice of PVP "GANKER" pirates. If people are paying real money for a ship to get early access, they have time to engineer the ship that also boasts better maneuverability & an extra large hardpoint more than other medium class ships for their payed early access.

The pre-engineered "PT Barnum was right" builds come pre-fabed with modules that allow not only skipping engineering but also skipping unlocking the engineers that provide some of those effects. Engineered players spent weeks & months grinding materials to unlock those effects. But now you can skip this achievement WITH MONEY.

Must have struck a nerve… it was enough to inspire some of the sycophantic suckup fanbois to realize they had even MORE free time than usual for them to engage in collective logical fallacy in a sorry attempt to hold on to their fantasies the game is not in need of dire course correction & has been for many years.

Damn these stubborn little things called facts. CURSES! That dratted pesky evidence! For these individuals they just don't seem to be effective in a reality based environment.

Over 1800 hours in game, I've bought the game and the DLC's at full price when they launched. Means I've spent around 6p an hour. It's the most immersive Space Flight Simulator I've played in over 40 years of gaming. Sure it's tough, you think you've figured it out then some new encounter you hadn't expected wipes you out, but you go back because it's so satisfying to finally beat part of it. Manage your expectations, prepare for the worst, don't fly without rebuy, and you'll have a great time.
And for all the "Pay-to-win" whiners, the new ships are starter kits to get people playing. Don't complain about FDev finding new ways to encourage new players if it means they can then keep the lights on and continue to expand.

"How do we bring back the lost good will from Odyssey?"
"Oh I know lets let players buy ships for real money!"