The latest Elite Dangerous update introduces ship interiors with on-foot combat inside massive mega ships through the new “Operations” feature, alongside improvements to colonization and a new long-range exploration ship. However, the community is divided over the controversial pay-to-win Codex spaceport, which requires premium currency access, sparking criticism about monetizing key gameplay elements.
The latest Elite Dangerous development vlog from Frontier reveals exciting new features planned for late 2025 and early 2026, with a major update called “Operations” at its core. Contrary to player expectations, this update won’t focus on exploration or atmospheric planets but introduces ship interiors for the first time, allowing players to board and fight inside mega ships—large mobile stations rather than the smaller ships players typically pilot. While this new gameplay element is promising, it is somewhat limited to these mega ships, leaving some players feeling underwhelmed. However, Frontier hints that this might just be the beginning, with more content and operations to follow.
Operations will combine space combat with on-foot missions inside mega ships, requiring players to clear defenses and then board these massive vessels. Frontier has created bespoke environments for these missions, promising rare rewards for participants. This marks the first significant addition of Odyssey-style on-foot gameplay since its release, addressing long-standing calls for more varied armor, weapons, gadgets, and engineers. The update aims to enrich the somewhat barebones on-foot experience currently in the game.
Colonization is also evolving, moving out of beta on November 11th, with quality of life improvements and balance tweaks planned. However, controversy surrounds a new starport called the Codex spaceport, which will only be accessible via ARX, the game’s premium currency, costing around €30. This pay-to-win and pay-to-unlock approach has drawn criticism from the community, as it monetizes a key part of colonization and risks alienating players who value the game’s economy and progression. Many feel this feature should have been unlockable through in-game credits to maintain fairness and provide a meaningful endgame goal.
Frontier also teased a new ship, the Zorgon Peterson Capsian, a large, dedicated long-range explorer equipped with Mark 2 components and a new frame shift drive optimized for neutron star boosts. Scheduled for release next month, this ship promises enhanced exploration capabilities, although detailed information remains scarce. The introduction of new technology and improved range is a welcome addition for players who enjoy deep-space exploration.
Overall, the update presents a mixed bag: the Operations feature is an exciting step forward that could revitalize gameplay by integrating on-foot combat and ship missions, while the paywall for the Codex stations is seen as a disappointing move that may divide the community. The new exploration ship adds a positive note to the update. Players are encouraged to share their thoughts on the upcoming changes, particularly regarding the balance between new gameplay content and monetization strategies.