Our galaxy.  Its an awe inspiring, beautiful, vast place; with billions of star systems, planets, moons and asteroid fields just waiting to be explored, and exploited. The triumvirate superpowers of the Empire, Federation and Independents dominate their core system volumes and constantly skirmish to outmaneuver one another on their frontiers. Outside their influence, in the vast majority of the galaxy, anarchy reigns supreme and spectacular discoveries await the bold.

Its dog-eat-dog out there – you need to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Whether you want to trade for profit between systems, take part in multiplayer co-op mission alliances, free-for-all group battles and team raids to bring down planetary economies, even tip the balance of power in the galaxy (for your own advantage, of course..), or simply explore the wonders of the galaxy (and who knows what you’ll find out there..) is up to you.

On Saturday, at the Lavecon Elite Dangerous fan event, Frontier unveiled a number of new features coming to the game later this year in the September and December updates, including a new in-game currency and the much-anticipated first look at the Fleet Carrier.

September Update

New "In Ship" Starter Experience

Following on from what we set out to achieve with this year's initial updates, we will be introducing a whole new starting experience right from the cockpit of a commander's first ship, a loaned Sidewinder. With clearer instructions and guidance during the beginning of Elite Dangerous, we believe this will lead to a more engaging way to learn the basics and help commanders understand the tools they have at their disposal to become fully-fledged pilots. We can't wait to see how these new commanders will involve themselves in the galaxy in the same way many of you have!

At the start of the experience, commanders will be guided through essential pilot training by a flight instructor from the Pilots Federation. During this training, a number of lessons will be taught to commanders, from space flight to combat.

• Basic flight controls and scanning.
• Supercruise and navigation.
• A combat exercise around a megaship.
• Culminating with the final lesson: completing one's first Hyperspace Jump and docking at a starport.

All of the training will include VO across our supported languages, so whether you're a commander, un commandant or ein kommandant, you'll be able to follow each exercise without issue!

Veteran commanders out there who wish to experience the training will also be able to access it in the 'Training Section' via the right-hand panel.

New Livery System and Virtual Currency: Arx

Those on consoles will already be familiar with the concept of Frontier Points and, as part of the September Update, we're reworking and rebranding them as Arx, across all platforms (including PC), ensuring the experience to acquire cosmetics is shared equally for commanders on any platform. This new currency can be purchased, as well as earned by simply playing the game, to acquire Game Extras such as Paint Jobs, Ship Kits, Bobbleheads and more!

As always with our optional additional purchases, Arx can only be used to buy cosmetic Game Extras and will not be used to introduce and acquire pay-to-win purchases. Ultimately, Arx will enable us to...

• Bring parity across all of our platforms
  At the current time, PC commanders purchase cosmetics directly from the Frontier Store with real world currency, while those on consoles must first purchase Frontier Points before acquiring that new and shiny Paint Job. With the introduction of Arx, the method of purchasing and spending Arx will be the same experience regardless of what platform you’re on.
• Allow commanders to earn customisation items through gameplay
  As part of the update to the livery system and the introduction of Arx, commanders will be able to acquire cosmetic items by simply playing the game! We won't ask commanders to change how they play, simply being an active player and engaging with the game is all that's required. A number of Arx can be earned each week and will be instantly added to a player's Arx balance and can be spent there and then, or saved for later. We'll have more details on how these can be earned in-game and the amount you can earn, closer to the release of the September Update.
  
• Introduce a new, flexible and informed choice when purchasing Game Extras
  We've made improvements to the entire in-game ship livery system, providing commanders with previews of all the different customisation options for their ships and multiple angles!
  
  Commanders will be able to purchase individual Game Extras that were previously only available in entire packs. For example, if you wanted the Anaconda White Pharaoh Paint Job, you would no longer need to purchase the entire Anaconda Horus Paint Pack to obtain it. We're still going to be putting together bundles and packages, but this new system will allow commanders to buy the majority of Game Extras individually.
  
• Offering commanders the ability to change their ship's appearance from the main menu
  One of the biggest improvements we are introducing is the ability to access the ship livery from the main menu, so even explorers out in the black will be able to change up their ship's appearance without needing to head all the way back to civilization!

Please read our FAQ for all the information and post any of your questions about Arx here.

December Update

We couldn't end the presentation without a glimpse of what's coming at the end of the year: FLEET CARRIERS.

We'll let the video below do the talking --MASSIVE FRAMESHIFT SURGE DETECTED--

We'll have more details about the September Update and Fleet Carriers in the near future, so keep an eye on all of our future announcements and social channels!

Your second-to-second actions could have you taking the roles of trader, pirate, bounty hunter, leader, team player, opportunistic assassin, grand schemer, and more. You are at the centre of the action any time, any place and any way you choose – each action has a consequence, and influences the galaxy around you.

Starting with a few credits and a basic starship, carve your own path through the richest, largest gaming sandbox ever created, set against a backdrop of raw anarchy, galactic powerplays and intrigue.  Do whatever it takes to upgrade your ship’s hull, engines, weapons, defences, cargo hold; constantly improve your capabilities and influence on your journey towards the most coveted rank in the history of gaming - ‘Elite’.

Fight, trade, hunt your way across a giant galaxy of billions of star systems, starting with a basic starship and a few credits. You can make money from trading goods between the many star systems, by destroying pirate ships (and collecting bounty), or even by attacking traders and collecting their cargo (which in turn will get a bounty on your head!). There will be missions too, and exploration. Most people will do some combination of these things. Upgrade your ship and specialize in one activity - have a trader with a huge cargo bay, or use the space for weapons and maneuverability.

• Real Freedom - Go where you like, be what you like - pirate, bounty hunter, trader, assassin, or some mix of all of these.
• Trade - Buy low, cross dangerous space lanes, evade or destroy pirates en route, then sell high, if you make the journey!
• Fight - Take on the pirates or be one yourself
• Progress - Get your pilot rating all the way from "Harmless" to "Elite"
• Explore - Head out to the far reaches of space and discover amazing sights

And the best part - you can do all this online with your friends, or other "Elite" pilots like yourself, or even alone. The choice is yours...