Elite Dangerous has launched a new two-week Powerplay-focused community goal offering engineered modules and rewards, while Frontier swiftly addressed a Powerplay exploit and plans to revert affected systems. The game also saw a 76% revenue increase, boosted by new content and paid DLC like the Mamba Conflict Zone Jumpstart ship and Steampunk Kit, signaling a positive outlook with ongoing updates and community engagement.
This week in Elite Dangerous news, a new two-week community goal has launched, focusing once again on Powerplay. Participants can earn pre-engineered modules, specifically 2B and 3A seeker missile racks with high capacity and sturdy modifications, by handing in conflict zone combat bonds for either Archon Delaine or Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval. Those who reach the top 75% of participants will receive a second set of these modules, along with 40,000 Powerplay merits and a themed cockpit customization if their chosen power wins. This continues the trend of Powerplay-centric community goals rewarding players with useful in-game items.
Frontier has taken swift action to address a recent exploit affecting Powerplay undermining scores in the Sol system and others. The exploit involved the “on foot transfer power data” activity, which was temporarily disabled while a fix is developed. The affected star systems are expected to be reverted to their correct Powerplay states during the June 19th maintenance. This quick response highlights Frontier’s commitment to maintaining fair gameplay and addressing issues raised by the community.
In financial news, Frontier released their annual trading update, showing a significant recovery and growth after challenging years. Elite Dangerous contributed 7% of the company’s overall revenue, with a remarkable 76% year-on-year increase. This boost is attributed to new content, improved player sentiment, and the introduction of paid early access ships and DLC. The success of Elite Dangerous alongside other major titles like Planet Coaster and Jurassic World reflects Frontier’s strategic refocus on their core creative management simulation games.
One notable addition to the paid DLC offerings is the new Mamba Conflict Zone Jumpstart ship, which comes pre-equipped with a substantial number of engineered modules across weapons, utilities, and internals. This jumpstart ship, priced at 25,500 ARX including a new Steampunk kit, is designed to assist players in the current community goal. While the ship is heavily outfitted, its gimballed weapons make it less effective in PvP scenarios against experienced players, but it provides a helpful boost for lower-tier PvE activities.
Finally, Frontier introduced the Steampunk Kit, a new cosmetic option available for the Mamba and Anaconda ships, featuring large dorsal exhaust pipes emitting steam. Player reactions have been mixed, ranging from enthusiasm to dislike. Overall, Frontier’s recent financial and community engagement successes suggest a positive future for Elite Dangerous, with planned content and updates mapped out for the next two years. Players are encouraged to participate in the community goal and share their thoughts on these developments.