Elite : Dangerous - An epic return for an old fav but there are concerns!


“Elite: Dangerous is the game I have wanted Frontier to make for a very long time. The next game in the Elite series – an amazing space epic with stunning visuals, incredible gameplay and breath-taking scope, but this time you can play with your friends too. I want a game that feels more like the original Elite to fly, and with more rapid travel (to allow for the multi-player nature of the game) – so you travel quickly using local ‘hyperspace’ travel rather than by fast-forwarding time – but with the rich galaxy of Frontier – and more, so much more.”
“Up to now “Elite” has been worked upon by a small team as a ‘skunk-works’ activity in the background as availability permits. Nevertheless, we have been preparing; laying the technology and design foundations for when the time is right. And that time is now.”


As some of you well know Elite:Dangerous was announced via kickstarter the other day with a renowned sense of joy however there are some concerns amongst the gaming community. One such follower melnificent from rockpapershotgun  has said.


I love elite, but I want to raise some concerns about this kickstarter and the company behind it. It’s been in development for over 10 years (14 years at present), like duke nukem forever. It is being made by a proper commercial entity, like duke nukem forever.
The company has produced a couple of good hits (lost winds) amongst a sea of mediocrity (generic kinect stuff), like duke nukem forevers parent company.
There are no screenshots, concept art or any assets at all. Unlike Duke nukem Forever, which did have concept art and a trailer video.
As it stands at the moment it’s on course to be even more vapour like than DNF. It’s already past the same timescale.
Ask yourself, why would a company that has been around for years suddenly need money upfront without proof of anything. Especially, after promising the game from as far back as 1998.
http://uk.gamespot.com/news/qanda-david-braben-from-elite-to-today-6162140
This is a cash grab to keep the studio going for a few more months. Traded on the back of a promise, looking at nostalgia.
The company accounts show that from 2009 they have blown through almost £5m in 2 years (down to £1m) and at that rate will be bankrupt by next year.
The shares have dropped £4m in a year. And the liabilities have more than doubled.
This £1.2m kickstarter is to make sure they can get through to the next financial year. Nothing more. The expected delivery date is AFTER they have run out of cash even with kickstarter backing.
http://companycheck.co.uk/company/02892559
Most damning of all their last game (announced 2008) has yet to materialise. Beyond a trailer from a few years back.
I really do want to be proven wrong as I’d love another elite, but I’m afraid the writing is on the wall. This will most likely be a high profile kickstarter failure. And the collapse of a company to boot.
Will you risk pledging to get this possibly amazing game off the ground or will it all end in a failure of lies?



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