NEWS Elite Dangerous: Player Numbers Surge, David Braben Interview & More

The latest updates for “Elite Dangerous” include an interview with David Braben discussing the Thargoid War and the introduction of Power Play 2.0, which has significantly increased player engagement and interest. Despite some issues with the Ascendancy update, player numbers have surged, peaking at around 10,500, indicating a revival of interest in the game as the community prepares for upcoming features like Galactic Colonization.

In the latest news for “Elite Dangerous,” significant updates have been made, including an interview with David Braben, the president and founder of Frontier Developments. The interview, featured in an article on the Epic Game Store, discusses the ongoing Thargoid War and explores the complex relationship between humanity and the Thargoids, a highly alien species. The article is notable for its rarity, as interviews with Braben and the Frontier team are uncommon, suggesting that the developers remain committed to the game’s future despite recent challenges.

The introduction of Power Play 2.0 has generated a surge in player engagement and interest, marking a stark contrast to the previous, niche system. Players are actively promoting different superpower factions across various platforms, and the community is rallying to support both new and veteran commanders in navigating this complex system. Guides and resources have been created to help players understand Power Play, including a comprehensive guide by Commander nski on the official forums and a video by Mile 13 Gaming that breaks down the mechanics and rewards of the system.

The Ascendancy update has rolled out with mostly positive changes, but it has not been without issues. Initially, activities related to exploration and exobiology were generating excessive Power Play merits, prompting Frontier to temporarily disable these activities. While exploration merits were reinstated shortly after, data collected before a specific cutoff time was not counted. Additionally, players have reported longer server downtime and various game crashes, particularly affecting Fleet Carrier operations.

With the implementation of Power Play 2.0 and the anticipation of the Galactic Colonization update, player numbers have surged significantly. Steam charts indicate a peak of around 10,500 players during the recent weekend, a notable increase from the typical daily peaks of 4,000 to 5,000. While these numbers may not reflect the actual player count, they suggest a growing trend of returning players, particularly those who had previously been deterred by earlier game issues.

Overall, the recent developments in “Elite Dangerous” have sparked renewed interest and engagement within the community. The focus on the Thargoids and the upcoming Galactic Colonization feature promise to further shape the game’s future. Players are encouraged to share their experiences with Power Play 2.0 and their thoughts on the Thargoid focus in the comments, as the game continues to evolve and attract both new and returning commanders.