Elite: Dangerous Standard Beta (Starting Jul 29th - $75)

In the final game, you can own multiple ships. Right now I'm using the beta to sort of test the waters and decide what I want to do later. Things like figuring out what ships, weapons, armor combos to use, etc.

Funny thing happened yesterday, though (not really game related). I was reading their latest newsletter, and saw the bit about the contact binary star in the i Bootis system. It intrigued me enough to go there and take a look at it in-game. So I went online and looked up this phenomenon, and sure enough, it's the real deal. In fact, there's a system about 40LY from Earth that's a trinary system with a contact binary.... called i Bootis. And here I was thinking they'd just made that shit up. But I think I do remember them saying that while most of the galaxy will be procedurally generated, those systems close to us will be based on actual observational data. And I guess the names, too, at least in some cases.
 
It plays like shit with K/M and my Xbox360 controller is not working in this game. Any advice for a good and cheap (~150$) joystick?
 
AxeMan said:
I'm having real trouble controlling my ship, finding targets in the console and then targeting them.

Using KB/M - any tips?
Click to expand...

Don't use KB/M. It's silly to use it for space flight sims.

I recommend investing at least for a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X or Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. Saitek x52Pro if you have the budget.
 
Faith said:
It plays like shit with K/M and my Xbox360 controller is not working in this game. Any advice for a good and cheap (~150$) joystick?
Click to expand...

Why would your controller not work in this? It even has a controller preset. Mine worked absolutely flawlessly.
 
Jedi2016 said:
In the final game, you can own multiple ships. Right now I'm using the beta to sort of test the waters and decide what I want to do later. Things like figuring out what ships, weapons, armor combos to use, etc.

Funny thing happened yesterday, though (not really game related). I was reading their latest newsletter, and saw the bit about the contact binary star in the i Bootis system. It intrigued me enough to go there and take a look at it in-game. So I went online and looked up this phenomenon, and sure enough, it's the real deal. In fact, there's a system about 40LY from Earth that's a trinary system with a contact binary.... called i Bootis. And here I was thinking they'd just made that shit up. But I think I do remember them saying that while most of the galaxy will be procedurally generated, those systems close to us will be based on actual observational data. And I guess the names, too, at least in some cases.
Click to expand...

150 000 solar systems near Sol will be made with actual scientific data. The star mainly as we dont know much about the planets surrounding them.

But yea, i-bootis exists for real, and in the future they will implement star deformation due to gravity to actually recreate the real thing.

Somewhat like this scientific model

w-uma.gif
 
So I'm thinking about jumping in the beta for its but I've got a few questions.

1) is there a firm release date yet?

2) how much content is in the beta compared to the full game?

I want to play it but I don't want to get bored or burnt out before the final game comes out. I've tried to stay away from playing too many kick starter or early access games before they're feature complete but I love me some space sims.
 
Phanatic8390 said:
So I'm thinking about jumping in the beta for its but I've got a few questions.

1) is there a firm release date yet?

2) how much content is in the beta compared to the full game?

I want to play it but I don't want to get bored or burnt out before the final game comes out. I've tried to stay away from playing too many kick starter or early access games before they're feature complete but I love me some space sims.
Click to expand...

1) They are aiming to release it sometime in 2014. So the question is can you wait from mid august to ~november/december? 2014 release is pretty firm, specific date is unknown.

2) There's a nice list already made by someone on the official forum that says what will be added in beta/gamma/final and expansions, all with citations from official devs.

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=19639

  • Law Enforcement (In Beta 1)
  • Groupings (In Beta 1)
  • Communications (In Beta 1)
  • Missions (In Beta 1)
  • Access to some of the other 399,999,999,995 systems - Not all systems will be accessible in Beta but the number will increase. Citation
  • Mining Citation
  • More ships - see list of ships below Citation
  • More weapons/addons Citation
  • Dynamic events - e.g. famines, wars etc.. Citation
  • Rankings - Citation
  • Faction alliance Citation
  • New space stations Citation
  • Docking on Cruisers Citation
  • New trade goods (including unique trade goods) Citation
  • System Map Citation
  • Customization of ship interiors/exteriors (In Beta 1)
  • Fuel and Fuel skimming gas giants. (In Beta 1)
  • Wear and tear on ships /modules (outside of direct damage) Citation
  • Passengers Citation
  • NPC Contacts interaction Citation
  • Wingmen Citation
  • A more fleshed out supercruise mechanic. The ability to see, chase, interdict and avoid other players/NPCs, slingshots around planets and similar Citation
  • Hyperspace stuff (i.e. analysis, following, linking, misjumps) Citation
  • Improved planets Citation
  • Exploration mechanics Citation
  • Alliance Citation
  • Empire Citation
  • Damage models Citation
  • Derelict ships - Savage etc.. Citation
  • News system that covers events in game (Kinda in the newsletters now) Citation
  • Multiple character slots Citation
  • Different start locations - might not appear till Gamma. Citation
  • Founder's world Citation
  • Ironman mode Citation
  • Deploying escape pods (rather than the automatic system we have now) Citation
  • Hangars and multiple ship ownership Citation
  • Improved Insurance Citation
  • Single player - online/offline Citation Online is (In Beta 1)
  • Privateering Citation
  • Galaxy Evolution - Citation
  • New trade options - Seeing Market values without docking, Graphs!. Citation
  • Beacons (In Beta 1)
  • Thargoids Citation
  • Dark Systems, comets, Other Phenomena. Citation
  • Probes Citation
  • Player logs Citation
  • Ship naming Citation
  • Ship crews Citation
  • Criminality Citation
  • Enhanced Shield mechanics Citation


Ships to be added
1. Sidewinder (In Beta Already)
2. Cobra mk3 (In Beta Already)
3. Eagle (In Beta Already)
4. Viper mk3 (In Beta 1)
5. Adder (concepts in Newsletter)
6. ASP explorer (concepts in Newsletter)
7. Imperial Courier (concepts in Newsletter)
8. Anaconda (In Beta Already)
9. Panther Clipper (concepts in Newsletter)
10. Orca (concepts in Newsletter/Edge 264)
11. Daulphine (concepts in Newsletter/Edge 264)
12. Beluga (concepts in Edge 264)
13. Lakon type 6 (In Beta 1)
14. Lakon type 7 (Edge 264/Newsletters(mentioned earlier as freighter 3))
15. Lakon type 9 (In Beta Already)
16. Python (confirmed in a newsletter iirc.)
17. Imperial Cutter. (Edge 264+mentioned in newsletters)
18. Federal Cutter. LINK
19. Hauler (In Beta Already)

more speculative :
Krait (here) thanks Cosmo
"the hunter" (http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/443372868max.jpg) ?
Fer-De-Lance?

(out of 25 playable ships)

xx. there's a few concept images of other freighters, what about them?
http://elitedangerous.co.uk/newsletter/4#3
note freighter 3 is now lakon type 7
xx.New ship, name not currently know (by me at least) - Link

non playable---

X. imp. fighter (In Beta 1)
X. fed. fighter (In Beta Already)
X. imp. capital ship(interdictor)
X. fed. capital ship (In Beta Already)


As expansions/Further down the line
 
Buggy Loop said:
1) They are aiming to release it sometime in 2014. So the question is can you wait from mid august to ~november/december? 2014 release is pretty firm, specific date is unknown.

2) There's a nice list already made by someone on the official forum that says what will be added in beta/gamma/final and expansions, all with citations from official devs.

http://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=19639

  • Law Enforcement (In Beta 1)
  • Groupings (In Beta 1)
  • Communications (In Beta 1)
  • Missions (In Beta 1)
  • Access to some of the other 399,999,999,995 systems - Not all systems will be accessible in Beta but the number will increase. Citation
  • Mining Citation
  • More ships - see list of ships below Citation
  • More weapons/addons Citation
  • Dynamic events - e.g. famines, wars etc.. Citation
  • Rankings - Citation
  • Faction alliance Citation
  • New space stations Citation
  • Docking on Cruisers Citation
  • New trade goods (including unique trade goods) Citation
  • System Map Citation
  • Customization of ship interiors/exteriors (In Beta 1)
  • Fuel and Fuel skimming gas giants. (In Beta 1)
  • Wear and tear on ships /modules (outside of direct damage) Citation
  • Passengers Citation
  • NPC Contacts interaction Citation
  • Wingmen Citation
  • A more fleshed out supercruise mechanic. The ability to see, chase, interdict and avoid other players/NPCs, slingshots around planets and similar Citation
  • Hyperspace stuff (i.e. analysis, following, linking, misjumps) Citation
  • Improved planets Citation
  • Exploration mechanics Citation
  • Alliance Citation
  • Empire Citation
  • Damage models Citation
  • Derelict ships - Savage etc.. Citation
  • News system that covers events in game (Kinda in the newsletters now) Citation
  • Multiple character slots Citation
  • Different start locations - might not appear till Gamma. Citation
  • Founder's world Citation
  • Ironman mode Citation
  • Deploying escape pods (rather than the automatic system we have now) Citation
  • Hangars and multiple ship ownership Citation
  • Improved Insurance Citation
  • Single player - online/offline Citation Online is (In Beta 1)
  • Privateering Citation
  • Galaxy Evolution - Citation
  • New trade options - Seeing Market values without docking, Graphs!. Citation
  • Beacons (In Beta 1)
  • Thargoids Citation
  • Dark Systems, comets, Other Phenomena. Citation
  • Probes Citation
  • Player logs Citation
  • Ship naming Citation
  • Ship crews Citation
  • Criminality Citation
  • Enhanced Shield mechanics Citation


Ships to be added
1. Sidewinder (In Beta Already)
2. Cobra mk3 (In Beta Already)
3. Eagle (In Beta Already)
4. Viper mk3 (In Beta 1)
5. Adder (concepts in Newsletter)
6. ASP explorer (concepts in Newsletter)
7. Imperial Courier (concepts in Newsletter)
8. Anaconda (In Beta Already)
9. Panther Clipper (concepts in Newsletter)
10. Orca (concepts in Newsletter/Edge 264)
11. Daulphine (concepts in Newsletter/Edge 264)
12. Beluga (concepts in Edge 264)
13. Lakon type 6 (In Beta 1)
14. Lakon type 7 (Edge 264/Newsletters(mentioned earlier as freighter 3))
15. Lakon type 9 (In Beta Already)
16. Python (confirmed in a newsletter iirc.)
17. Imperial Cutter. (Edge 264+mentioned in newsletters)
18. Federal Cutter. LINK
19. Hauler (In Beta Already)

more speculative :
Krait (here) thanks Cosmo
"the hunter" (http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/443372868max.jpg) ?
Fer-De-Lance?

(out of 25 playable ships)

xx. there's a few concept images of other freighters, what about them?
http://elitedangerous.co.uk/newsletter/4#3
note freighter 3 is now lakon type 7
xx.New ship, name not currently know (by me at least) - Link

non playable---

X. imp. fighter (In Beta 1)
X. fed. fighter (In Beta Already)
X. imp. capital ship(interdictor)
X. fed. capital ship (In Beta Already)


As expansions/Further down the line
Click to expand...

Hmm that still seems like a lot of stuff to add. Maybe I'll try holding off a little longer.
 
Faith said:
Thanks guys. Is it also good if you play the game in the rift? Or would the X360 controller be a better choice then?
Click to expand...
X360 is never better than a flight stick in this game, under any circumstances. Doubly so in the Rift, because the stick has so many more buttons, you'd end up spending MORE time fumbling for the keyboard in the dark. Seriously, this game has like 150 different functions.. you'd never want to limit yourself. Forget the X360 controller, you'll never want to touch it again after using a proper flight stick.
 
Faith said:
There is no control scheme for my Xbox360 controller, just M/K and custom.
Click to expand...
Yeah I never had one either. Had to map everything myself. Have to second everyone saying that once you switch to a stick you won't want to go back to a controller though. I switched and once I got used to it my enjoyment of the game increased a lot. Not saying that I didn't enjoy it with a controller because I did, just more so with a stick.
 
Jedi2016 said:
X360 is never better than a flight stick in this game, under any circumstances. Doubly so in the Rift, because the stick has so many more buttons, you'd end up spending MORE time fumbling for the keyboard in the dark. Seriously, this game has like 150 different functions.. you'd never want to limit yourself. Forget the X360 controller, you'll never want to touch it again after using a proper flight stick.
Click to expand...

I've just bought voiceattack and I'm surprised how few functions the game will let you assign. I was expecting to be able to assign docking requests etc but it won't let you.

Playing with a DK2 and a 360 controller (I have a 360 controller scheme in the game?) I assigned d-pad down to hyperspace jump and Left stick 3 button to toggle flight assist. Everything else is available by moving your head to a menu.

Voiceattack is worth it with a rift. It's quite fun saying "quick stop" and hearing the response back of "emergency stop initiated" while coming out of hyperspace.
 
wickfut said:
I've just bought voiceattack and I'm surprised how few functions the game will let you assign. I was expecting to be able to assign docking requests etc but it won't let you.

Playing with a DK2 and a 360 controller (I have a 360 controller scheme in the game?) I assigned d-pad down to hyperspace jump and Left stick 3 button to toggle flight assist. Everything else is available by moving your head to a menu.

Voiceattack is worth it with a rift. It's quite fun saying "quick stop" and hearing the response back of "emergency stop initiated" while coming out of hyperspace.
Click to expand...
Well, VA will do anything that you can do with a keypress or a series of keypresses. Something that requires a different set of keypresses depending on circumstances that change minute-to-minute (like docking requests) are a lot more difficult. One guy said he did get it working, though, by manually entering every single command that he needed, but it relied heavily on the left screen being in an exact place which doesn't always happen. In regards to docking, I'd rather it be something we can do at a keypress.. if the station is selected, just hit "R" or whatever to request permission to dock. If they can get that to happen, it'll be cake to get VoiceAttack to do it.

I've only got a few commands set up in VA, and I'm not even using them right now. Deploy/stow weapons, landing gear, full speed (FA off, then boost). I've got a few more I want to add, and I'll probably go haywire with it once I get my Rift, since I'll effectively lose access to the keyboard (not really, but you know what I mean).
 
Faith said:
There is no control scheme for my Xbox360 controller, just M/K and custom.
Click to expand...

2ve9x0S.png


If you're not getting the control pad options then your 360 controller isn't being detected. Try uninstalling the Xbox 360 drivers and reinstalling it or maybe a different port. Couldn't hurt to try running Elite in admin.
 
sfried said:
Don't use KB/M. It's silly to use it for space flight sims.

I recommend investing at least for a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS X or Logitech Extreme 3D Pro. Saitek x52Pro if you have the budget.
Click to expand...

I was hoping this wasn't going to be the answer.

Seeing as though I've invested in SC it probably would be a good idea to get one.

Will any of those also be good for SC?
 
You can play this single player, right? Having played Eve Online for years (since 2002 and the beta), I expect there will be lots of pirating and griefing in this game in multiplayer, and I don't really have the time to invest into dealing with that :) (I was a "mercenary" in Eve Online).
The fact that it takes the best stuff from Elite, adds lots of stuff from Eve Online, to create this is appealing.
 
AxeMan said:
I was hoping this wasn't going to be the answer.

Seeing as though I've invested in SC it probably would be a good idea to get one.

Will any of those also be good for SC?
Click to expand...

You'll be fine using keyboard/mouse for trading btw, using it at the moment and I can dock pretty quickly now I've got the hang of it. No point dishing out a load of cash on a stick unless you plan on doing a lot of combat.
 
Faith said:
It plays like shit with K/M and my Xbox360 controller is not working in this game. Any advice for a good and cheap (~150$) joystick?
Click to expand...

I bought a 40 Euro Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for this and Star Citizen and I'm very happy with it. Not as bulky as a HOTAS and works really well:

3d-pro-gaming-joystick-images.png
Click to expand...

Playing around with this brought back a flood of memories of playing the X-Wing/TIE-Fighter series with my MS Sidewinder:

800px-Sidewinder_3D_Pro.jpg
Click to expand...

Ahh, the good old days...
 
mitchman said:
You can play this single player, right? Having played Eve Online for years (since 2002 and the beta), I expect there will be lots of pirating and griefing in this game in multiplayer, and I don't really have the time to invest into dealing with that :) (I was a "mercenary" in Eve Online).
The fact that it takes the best stuff from Elite, adds lots of stuff from Eve Online, to create this is appealing.
Click to expand...

Actually more policing now (at least in the non-Anarchy systems) so there's less griefing going on.
 
Faith said:
Thanks guys. Is it also good if you play the game in the rift? Or would the X360 controller be a better choice then?


It wasn't listed there. I will give it a try again later.
Click to expand...

The game is amazing with the DK2. I've been playing a ton. One thing that also helps is go ahead and buy Voice Attack for $8. It is very nice to be able to call out functions since you can be quite busy flying / docking / fighting / etc.

I have the x52 pro. Mode 1 is for flying. Mode 2 is for hyper jump traveling. Mode 3 is for docking/landing. I don't always use mode 2 and 3 because I have a lot of those functions mapped on Voice attack.

When you are in the middle of a dog fight with the rift, it sure is nice diverting power to systems, engine, or weapons just by saying "power weapons". "weapons max" etc. For voice attack my most used commands are probably: Changing the ship power settings, landing gear, and cargo scoop.

Such an amazing game.
 
PossumMeat said:
The game is amazing with the DK2. I've been playing a ton. One thing that also helps is go ahead and buy Voice Attack for $8. It is very nice to be able to call out functions since you can be quite busy flying / docking / fighting / etc.

I have the x52 pro. Mode 1 is for flying. Mode 2 is for hyper jump traveling. Mode 3 is for docking/landing. I don't always use mode 2 and 3 because I have a lot of those functions mapped on Voice attack.

When you are in the middle of a dog fight with the rift, it sure is nice diverting power to systems, engine, or weapons just by saying "power weapons". "weapons max" etc. For voice attack my most used commands are probably: Changing the ship power settings, landing gear, and cargo scoop.

Such an amazing game.
Click to expand...

I have the X55 and I have more than enough buttons with the Rift on, but I wonder if I should pony up for VA..
 
Soi-Fong said:
Actually more policing now (at least in the non-Anarchy systems) so there's less griefing going on.
Click to expand...

So they are "cloning" Eve Online's security ratings for star systems then? But you can play it single player if you don't want to deal with that stuff?
 
mitchman said:
So they are "cloning" Eve Online's security ratings for star systems then? But you can play it single player if you don't want to deal with that stuff?
Click to expand...

You can play it single player if you want, but that's not available right now in the standard beta.

You're limiting yourself though playing on your own.
 
Soi-Fong said:
I have the X55 and I have more than enough buttons with the Rift on, but I wonder if I should pony up for VA..
Click to expand...

I think there is a time trail of it on their website.

It is worth it to me. Not to mention is just feels bad ass... I mean the year is 3300 and I am jumping to different systems... it only makes sense that I can call out "weapons max, flight assist off" in the middle of a fight.

Soi-Fong said:
You can play it single player if you want, but that's not available right now in the standard beta.

You're limiting yourself though playing on your own.
Click to expand...

There is an "Offline" mode called Solo. You choose "Online" first and then choose solo. There have been a few people locking down Freeport and not letting anyone in and out since it is currently a bugged port. I had to use solo to get out and then switch back to Online.
 
Playing the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 during trade runs makes this a million times more enjoyable. I need to purchase myself a HOTAS flightstick.
 
Lyonaz said:
Playing the Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 during trade runs makes this a million times more enjoyable. I need to purchase myself a HOTAS flightstick.
Click to expand...

The struggle is real. I'd love nothing more than to pick up an X52, but I have a Rift preordered and just threw a stupid amount of money at a machine that plays Destiny so I'm pretty much broke until the end of the year.
 
Sorry for the offtopic again. Is the X55 worth the priceup compared to the X52 Pro? If I buy something for this game and SC, it should reall be worth it :)
 
Faith said:
Sorry for the offtopic again. Is the X55 worth the priceup compared to the X52 Pro? If I buy something for this game and SC, it should reall be worth it :)
Click to expand...

Assuming this is the only game you'd be using it for, no.

Buggy Loop said:
Devs said nothing would be shown till after Gamescon, so, im guessing we'll have a peek of the beta 2 in the newsletter on friday and the update early next week. A guess ;)
Click to expand...
Sure hope so. Just bought the beta for my friend's b-day, looking for some more exploration/mining features or the abilities for players to interdict each other. Give us a reason to cooperate.
 
You pay 75 for the beta and there will be buy-able ships? Seems steep even if this looks more featured than Star Citizen. I don't like the piece meal approach so I'm going to pay 75 just for beta access then what are the perks?
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
You pay 75 for the beta and there will be buy-able ships? Seems steep even if this looks more featured than Star Citizen. I don't like the piece meal approach so I'm going to pay 75 just for beta access then what are the perks?
Click to expand...

The up-charge from $50 to $75 is being able to play through the beta stages. I haven't read anything about buy-able ships...are you talking about with real money? I think that's the other game.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
You pay 75 for the beta and there will be buy-able ships? Seems steep even if this looks more featured than Star Citizen. I don't like the piece meal approach so I'm going to pay 75 just for beta access then what are the perks?
Click to expand...

There are no buy-able ships in Elite nor does Frontier want to. Everyone on the same start level. Only thing you can buy are paint jobs and they are purely cosmetic. 75$ gives you final game plus beta/gamma access until launch. Nothing else.
 
DrBo42 said:
The up-charge from $50 to $75 is being able to play through the beta stages. I haven't read anything about buy-able ships...are you talking about with real money? I think that's the other game.
Click to expand...

Oh, that's good to hear. Anywhere to buy this other than from the ED site itself?

Anyone have a discount code fr the site?
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
Oh, that's good to hear. Anywhere to buy this other than from the ED site itself?

Anyone have a discount code fr the site?
Click to expand...

Only for purchase on their site at the moment. I assume the discount codes field at this point are to input codes given to press outlets. Don't think there will be any sales until the game launches.
 
Man, I would give my left nut for functionality that allowed me to redirect the computer output onto an MFD on my desk.

Alas, I don't imagine that'll happen.
 
just my opinion on the controller:
you should either take your xbox controller or buy a proper hotas setup. i ve tested a few joysticks for 50 bucks and didnt like any of these more than the controller.

use voice attack if you dont have enough buttons and cant use the keyboard in the rift
 
God, I am on vacation since July 30th so I only got to try the beta for a couple of hours before leaving. Yesterday I arrived at my parent's house where I have an old PC and I installed the game just to play around a bit. Oh dear god, the horror that is playing with kb/m, the horror! I think I will wait 12 more days to get back home...

Kudos to the people who do manage to play like this however!
 
Lord Griegous said:
God, I am on vacation since July 30th so I only got to try the beta for a couple of hours before leaving. Yesterday I arrived at my parent's house where I have an old PC and I installed the game just to play around a bit. Oh dear god, the horror that is playing with kb/m, the horror! I think I will wait 12 more days to get back home...

Kudos to the people who do manage to play like this however!
Click to expand...

What are you using at home? Does the game have full pad support?
 
Thanks for the reply ^^

I might be investing but I'm still on the fence. A friend was prying me to get it and I haven't seen him online in like 3 days. I've been burnt several times from friends who tell me to buy something only to not see them online enough to warrant the money spent.
 
LiquidMetal14 said:
Thanks for the reply ^^

I might be investing but I'm still on the fence. A friend was prying me to get it and I haven't seen him online in like 3 days. I've been burnt several times from friends who tell me to buy something only to not see them online enough to warrant the money spent.
Click to expand...

True. Me however, I am looking this game more as a single player experience. Occasionally flying with friends will be the icing on the cake.
 
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