In 2025, “Elite Dangerous” will introduce a major colonization update, allowing players to claim uninhabited star systems and establish settlements, with a focus on guiding development rather than full base-building. This update aims to enhance gameplay flexibility and community engagement, while future updates may include new ships and quality-of-life improvements.
In 2025, “Elite Dangerous” is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of a major update focused on colonization. This update promises to fundamentally alter gameplay by enabling players to establish human presence in uninhabited star systems close to the inhabited bubble of the galaxy. Following a successful year in 2024, which saw numerous updates and the introduction of new ships, players can expect a roadmap for the future of the game in early 2025, detailing further content and features.
The colonization update will allow players to claim star systems and build settlements, space stations, and economies, although it will not be a full-fledged base-building system. Instead, players will guide the development of these new systems, starting with a credit cost to claim a system and a four-week period to establish the necessary infrastructure. The specifics of costs and requirements will be clarified during a beta phase, ensuring that the process is balanced and accessible to players without being overly simplistic.
Once a colony is established, it becomes permanently recognized as belonging to the player, known as the system architect, who will have the ability to choose the type of economy for their new system, such as extraction or industrial. This choice will directly influence trade and mission opportunities within that system. Notably, players can only claim one system at a time, preventing monopolization, but they can still expand and revisit their original systems as they progress.
The update will also incorporate a restriction on how far players can build from the bubble, currently limited to about 10 light years, encouraging players to expand gradually. As players establish micro-civilizations, there is hope that future updates might allow for expansion from already settled areas like Colonia. Overall, the colonization feature aims to provide flexible gameplay options, whether players choose to go solo or collaborate with others.
Looking ahead, there is speculation about additional updates beyond the colonization feature, including potential new ships and quality-of-life improvements. Players are eager for further developments, especially regarding long-desired features like walking inside ships and exploring atmospheric planets. While the future remains uncertain, the excitement surrounding the colonization update hints at a vibrant and evolving landscape for “Elite Dangerous,” encouraging community engagement and anticipation for what lies ahead.