Elite Dangerous’ long anticipated expansion, Odyssey, which will finally allow players to explore various planets on-foot, is close to release. For a select few players, it’ll be closer to release than most, as Frontier have announced a limited alpha that’ll allow players to test the expansion’s features from today. Here’s everything you need to know.
When Does The Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Alpha Start?
The Elite Dangerous: Odyssey Alpha kicks off today for PC players. No specific start time has been given in the press release about this announcement, so it could be anytime from this post going live. It’s worth noting that Odyssey’s Alpha will only be available on PC, as the console release is only scheduled for this autumn.
How Do I Receive Access To The Alpha?
The Odyssey Alpha will be available to all Elite Dangerous players who own the Lifetime Expansion Pass, or to players who have pre-ordered the Odyssey Deluxe Expansion pack. If you don’t own these packs already, you can purchase them from Steam, the Epic Games Store or even the Frontier Store and you’ll then be eligible for the Alpha.
Okay, So What’s In The Alpha?
Odyssey’s Alpha phase will run over the course of several weeks, slowly rolling out features in four phases. This slow introduction of features will allow Frontier to be able to fine tune the overall Odyssey experience before the full launch towards the end of spring.
Phase 1 will see allow Commanders confined to a single star system, and you’ll be able to complete salvage, collection and delivery activities. Spaceships won’t be included, but you’ll be able to travel between planets in the same system thanks to the new Apex Interstellar feature.
Phase 2 will reintroduce spaceships and will allow players to explore up to 20 light years. This phase will also add the combat experiences to the game, with Faction conflicts and the Frontline Solutions Mercenary Company beginning operations. New mission types like trading with settlements in neighbouring systems will also be added.
As for Phase 3, this’ll focus more on the exploration of uncharted space and planets, introducing the long-anticipated “First Footfall” experience. The playable area will also be expanded to 50 light years, and you’ll be able to scan alien organics with the Genetic Sampler. The final phase will see players have access to their own Commanders, and introduce features seen in the main game, such as Fleet Carriers, ship-launched Fighters and SRVs.
What’s Elite Dangerous, Again?
Elite Dangerous is the space simulator that’ll genuinely envelop your life if you let. Players can pick and choose from a variety of ships and activities in order to determine the life they want to lead out in the final frontier. Just don’t expect to jump into this game thinking you’ll have any free time left over.
Elite Dangerous is available right now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, and on PS5 and Xbox Series X | S via backwards compatibility.
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