Elite Dangerous: Arena out now on PC

Standalone offering available for those who prefer combat over exploration.

If you already own Elite: Dangerous then the news is that you'll soon be getting more enemies in the Close Quarter Combat mode.

This influx of new players is because today Frontier Developments released Elite Dangerous: Arena, a new standalone version of the PVP mode from the space-based sim.

It comes with full cross-compatibility with Elite: Dangerous. In the main game it's available via the main start menu at no extra charge, whereas new players will have to pay £4.99 / €6,75 (it also grants you access to Frontier's $100,000 Close Quarter Combat Championships Tournament which starts this spring).

All those who buy the game from the Frontier Store will receive a discount equal to their original purchase price if and when upgrading to either Elite Dangerous or the Elite Dangerous: Deluxe Edition.

Close Quarter Combat is the ultimate 34th century gladiatorial contest between starship pilots, featuring:

Four agile, combat-honed space ships. Choose from the fast and aggressive Federal and Imperial Fighters, the damage-dealing Eagle or the heavyweight Sidewinder.
Multiple tactical options with custom loadouts unlocked by ranking up.
Four Arenas: Elevate's towering view, Cluster Compound's mining facility, Asteria Point's cavernous space station and Ice Field's frozen asteroid belt.
Eight-player Free for All, Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag game modes.
Realistic, agile starship handling powered by Elite Dangerous' advanced simulation technology.