Elite: Dangerous is getting a new expansion called Horizons, which is described by developer Frontier as a “season of major gameplay expansions” that will continue through 2016. It kicks off with a Planetary Exploration module, which allows players to mine resources and take on hostile forces in a new Scarab recon vehicle.
Which would be all very well, but Frontier’s approach to pricing for the new expansion has left many Elite backers feeling pretty disgruntled.
Horizons can only be purchased along with the core game in a package called Elite Dangerous: Horizons, forcing backers of the original to front up cash for a game they’ve already bought in order to play the expansion. Current owners will get a discount knocking the price down to around $45 dollars as well as a bonus Cobra Mk IV spacecraft, but they’ll still have splashed out around $105 in total for the privilege - new customers will get access to everything for just $60.
For a sample of the reaction to this news, check out this thread on the game’s Reddit page. Understandably, long-time backers are not happy.
Frontier has yet to respond. Elite Dangerous: Horizons initial planetary module is expected to drop this Winter.