The roadmap includes three major updates. The first, titled “Trailblazers,” has already been released and introduces colonization, allowing players to establish space stations and economies in new systems. Players will become “system architects,” directly influencing the placement and type of stations and economies. This update gives players a direct and permanent impact on the galaxy. [02:48] [03:22] [04:12]
The second update, “Vanguard,” is scheduled for the summer and is described as a spiritual successor to squadrons, introducing guild-like features. [05:10] This includes improved communication, group coordination with a dedicated UI, the ability to set objectives for Vanguard members, perks as rewards, and a banking system for shared resources. [05:46] Vanguard aims to create persistent player-generated content. [08:24]
A third update, planned for the winter, will include another ship release and a new feature. [01:47]
These updates suggest a shift in Elite Dangerous from a shared-world space sim to a true MMO. [09:12] Trailblazers and Vanguard give players more control over the game world, moving beyond NPC-driven systems. [10:12] Players can now actively create and lead within the game, with lasting consequences for their actions. [11:13] The updates transform Elite Dangerous into an evolving, player-driven MMO where actions have lasting consequences. [12:05]
Frontier, the game’s developer, is expected to continue expanding the game in this direction, further refining it as a true MMO. [12:32]