Elite Dangerous developer announces it will sell in-game ships for real money, triggering community backlash
Frontier Developments, the developer of space sim Elite Dangerous, has announced plans to sell ships for premium currency almost a decade after its release, prompting widespread community outrage.
The details:
Frontier has confirmed that beginning May 7, three months of early access to the Python Mk II ship will be available in the in-game store for 16,250 ARX. The real-world price is around $12.99, with Odyssey expansion owners able to purchase the ship for standard credits starting August 7.
Pre-built ships will also be available for purchase, including ships that have already been upgraded to assist newer players in getting a quicker start. “We envision these Pre-built Ships to be a quicker way for newer players to get involved in the areas they have the most interest in, or for our existing players who are considering a new career path in the game, but do not have time to devote to a new build from scratch,” Frontier wrote.
As you might expect, fans aren't pleased with the announcement, with many accusing the developer of abandoning the game and returning only to "milk the loyal fanbase with dubious practices and lackluster updates." Others have referred to the pre-built ships as "pay-to-win," claiming that the game's engineering system is difficult to understand and that rather than improving the system, Frontier has chosen to charge players for a solution.
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