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The Lavecon is a yearly Elite: Dangerous event organised by LaveRadio!
Lavecon is a convention which celebrates the creative energy in science fiction, fantasy and gaming, inspired by the Elite computer game. They propose Board Gaming, Live Roleplay and Jugger matches, Cosplay, LAN Computer Gaming, Tabletop Roleplay, X-Wing Miniatures, Readings from Authors, Workshops, Live Audio Drama, Demos, Oculus Rift, Q&A sessions, Talks, Panels, Special Guests and of course Elite Dangerous

On this occasion, Elite: Dangerous Developers are presenting some of the content to come.
Sadly, they decided not to livestream the Q&A session + Dev Panel this year. So I will recap the details from what I can find.

 

Recap – Devs Panel

  • Developers attending the event: Adam Bourke-Waite, Adam Woods, Dav Stott, Dominic Corner, Gary Richards, Mark Allen, Paige Harvey, Peteris Krisjanis, Sally Morgan-Moore, Sarah Avory, Steve Kirby, Will Flanagan, Zac Antonaci
  • A Fleet Carrier video has leaked yesterday. We can see 8 large landing pads and a lot of medium landing pads. No more details for now. Confirmed for December 2019.
  • They should update us on Elite: Dangerous 2019, but no content about 2020 will be revealed or talked about.
  • September update – new starter experience. Now a voice guide assistant. Flight course.tutorial for docking & supercruise. Weapons tutorial at derelict mega ship. Hyperspace jump.
  • New currency system, the ARX. This currency will allow us to buy cosmetic items directly ingame, much like the system already present on consoles. The ARX can be earned in the game too.
  • Cosmetic items can be changed from anywhere in the space. Explorers will be able to change their skin into exploration.

 

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!