Distant Worlds 3 is a massive Elite Dangerous multiplayer expedition launching in January 2026, featuring thousands of players journeying together with new infrastructure like fleet carriers, a dedicated website, and the Meta Elite companion app that adds interactive narrative elements. The event includes a competitive “Search for Earth 2” mission, encouraging exploration and discovery of habitable planets, promising an immersive blend of community, storytelling, and gameplay innovation.
The upcoming Distant Worlds 3 expedition for Elite Dangerous is gearing up to be a massive multiplayer event set for January 2026, with thousands of players expected to participate in a collective journey across the galaxy. A brand new dedicated website has launched, where players can register and organize their participation. The platform allows for the creation of commanders, with each account supporting up to three commanders and each commander able to manage six ships, facilitated by four official Distant Worlds fleet carriers. These carriers serve as mobile bases and are a key part of the event’s infrastructure, with personal fleet carriers discouraged to maintain the expedition’s spirit and manage logistical complexity.
The event is designed to feel deeply integrated within the Elite Dangerous universe, with the website interface closely mirroring the in-game UI to enhance immersion. Players must meet certain requirements, such as having ships with a minimum jump range of around 33 lightyears, necessary for reaching critical waypoints like Beagle Point. The organizers emphasize the expedition taking place primarily in a private group to foster a cohesive experience. Unlike previous Distant Worlds events, players will have the safety net of respawning on fleet carriers, marking a significant change from earlier expeditions where ship destruction meant returning home.
A unique feature of Distant Worlds 3 is the introduction of Meta Elite, a companion app developed specifically for the event. This app integrates an interactive narrative directly into the expedition, offering quests, missions, and story elements that players can engage with as they travel. The narrative includes hidden clues and challenges that encourage players to decode and participate in the unfolding story, adding a rich layer of complexity and engagement beyond just exploration and travel. Although still in testing, the app promises to track mission progress and update players dynamically, enhancing the overall expedition experience.
Another major component of the event is the “Search for Earth 2” expedition, a high-priority mission commissioned by influential factions within the game’s lore. Players will explore deep space to find Earth-like planets suitable for human habitation. Discoveries submitted by players will be scored based on habitability criteria, with the top planets from different regions competing to be crowned Earth 2. The player who discovers the highest-scoring planet will receive a special prize and recognition as the pioneer of humanity’s potential new home, adding a competitive and narrative-driven goal to the exploration.
Overall, Distant Worlds 3 promises to be a large-scale, highly immersive, and multifaceted event within Elite Dangerous, combining exploration, community collaboration, storytelling, and competition. The official website offers comprehensive information and registration options, encouraging players to prepare for this ambitious journey. With its blend of traditional gameplay and innovative features like Meta Elite and the Earth 2 search, the expedition aims to create a memorable experience that pushes the boundaries of what a multiplayer space exploration event can be.