Elite: Dangerous expands, original Elite is free

The crowdfunded space sim, Elite: Dangerous, is in what the devs call "premium beta", meaning the game isn't done yet, but you can still buy access to it. And as part of its non-final nature, Frontier Developments has revealed that a massive update is coming at the end of the month, adding 500 new star systems, reputation and exploration mechanics, as well as a slew of other things. You can find the full list of updates further down this page.

At the same time, Frontier are https://store.zaonce.net/elite1984.html">giving away the original Elite</a> for free. The 1984 game is, as far as we know, not just the first space sim ever made, but also more or less invented the open-world genre. This is essential gaming history, folks, and while it's probably dated in pretty much ever way possible, it's still worth checking out. Think of it like going to a history museum.

And if you want to know why Elite: Dangerous is a game we're exited about, check out this video on Youtube. It features a player smuggling contraband and avoiding detection by law enforcement (and certain death) by switching off his engines and all other systems, while still managing to dock his spaceship at a huge, rotating space station. At several hundred miles per hour. Without any power or controls. That is some Han Solo-level shit.

As promised, here's the deets on the upcoming update:

Combat ratings from ‘Harmless' all the way up to ‘Elite'.
Reputations per system and galaxy-wide that influence attitudes and prices offered to you.
Ability to discover and explore and scan new systems and sell the data on them.
Detailed system maps.
Around 500 additional star systems to explore.
Lakon Asp Explorer ships added.
Much greater variety of upgradable Life Support modules, Engines, Hyperdrives, Power Distributors, Sensors, Shield Generators and Cargo Racks for all ships.
Ships are subject to gradual ‘wear and tear'.
New weapons including mines and a new non-lethal missile-deployed cargo hatch disruptor for piracy.
Outposts (small, exposed ‘roadside café' stations in remote locations)
Occelus starports, a version of which can move around for early civilization of new systems and space tourism.
Visibility of other ships in supercruise, and track others through supercruise and hyperspace.
Newsfeeds about events from the rest of the galaxy and player activity in your local system.
All backers names (from the appropriate crowd-funding reward tiers) have been added to the NPC naming database.

Thanks, RPS.