With Lavecon in full swing, Frontier took the stage and unveiled a few details about what's coming next to Elite Dangerous in the September update as well as at the end of the year.

New "In Ship" Starter Experience

Following on from what Frontier set out to achieve with this year's initial updates, a whole new starting experience is being introduced right from the cockpit of a commander's first ship, a loaned Sidewinder. With clearer instructions and guidance during the beginning of Elite Dangerous, Frontier believes 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.

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 all game 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, Frontier’s 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!

Arx can only be used to buy cosmetic Game Extras and will not be used to introduce and acquire pay-to-win purchases. Ultimately, Frontier claims Arx will enable them 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! 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. Frontier will release 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 - Frontier 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. There will still be bundles and packages available, 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!

For more information, check out the ARX FAQ.

December update

Apart from the footage of a fleet carrier dropping in from a system jump – Frontier kept quiet about what else might be in store for Elite at the end of the year. Until then, enjoy the short teaser.