Elite Dangerous has introduced improvements to squadron leadership to manage inactive leaders, and announced the upcoming Type 11 prospector mining ship featuring a new high-yield mining tool launching in early access on September 23rd. Additionally, Frontier Developments reported a 76% revenue increase driven by new monetization strategies, highlighting the game’s growing player base and ongoing commitment to quality content and community engagement.
In this week’s Elite Dangerous news, Commander Burr covers several important updates and developments for the game. First, Frontier Developments has released the third patch for the Vanguard Squadron system, which improves squadron leadership mechanics. If a squadron leader has been inactive for 90 days, members below the leader receive a notification, and if the leader remains inactive, leadership is automatically reassigned to an active squadron member of a suitable rank. This change helps ensure inactive squadrons are either revitalized or removed from the game, allowing active players to regain control and access new Vanguard features such as squadron logos and carriers.
Next, more details have emerged about the upcoming Type 11 prospector mining ship, set to enter early access on September 23rd. The Type 11 comes equipped with a new mining tool called the mining volley repeater, which functions similarly to traditional mining lasers but offers higher yields. This tool can mine surface deposits without switching tools and has a chance to produce denser resource fragments, potentially increasing mining efficiency and making laser mining more engaging. However, it remains unclear if the overall mining speed of asteroids is faster, and community testing will likely explore this further.
Frontier Developments also released their full financial results for the year ending May 31, 2025, revealing a significant growth in Elite Dangerous revenue—up 76% year-over-year. This surge is largely attributed to new monetization strategies, including the introduction of pre-built ships and cosmetic content. The paid DLC revenue grew by nearly 150%, driven by new ships ranging from the Type 8 to the Corsair, along with other in-game customizations. These changes have not only increased revenue but also boosted player engagement, sentiment, and the overall player base.
The financial report highlights Elite Dangerous as a leader in the massive multiplayer space simulation genre, with Frontier emphasizing their commitment to long-term support through quality-of-life updates, new content, and community-driven improvements. The monetization model, which balances paid DLC with free content updates, appears to be well-received by the player community. While there remains a delicate balance to avoid pay-to-win mechanics, the revenue generated is reinvested into further game development, creating a positive cycle of growth and support.
In conclusion, Elite Dangerous is thriving with active development and a growing player base. The new Vanguard squadron leadership improvements, the promising Type 11 mining ship, and Frontier’s successful monetization strategy all signal a healthy future for the game. Commander Burr invites players to share their thoughts on these updates and whether they plan to join squadrons or invest in the Type 11 early access. The community can look forward to more videos and updates soon as Elite Dangerous continues to evolve.