Elite gets release pricing but no release date yet
Elite: Dangerous is still on track for a Q4 2014 launch. As such, Frontier today revealed the sci-fi sandbox's launch pricing plan as well as a pre-order option.
The standard game will set you back $59.99 (or £39.99 and €49.99 for our friends across the pond). The pre-order Mercenary edition -- available to purchase from now until release day -- will run you $50 (£35.00 or €40) and features an Eagle fighter, a digital guide, a digital concept art book, decals, and more. If you've already pre-ordered or backed through alpha and beta, you'll receive a Merc edition by default.
In other Elite news, Eurogamer reports that the game's original budget was £8 million, most of which came out of Frontier's own pocket prior to its successful crowdfunding campaign. And don't forget about this week's Elite newsletter, which talks more about the Mercenary edition and plans for the franchise's 30th anniversary celebration.
[Source: Frontier press release]
FRONTIER DEVELOPMENTS ANNOUNCES PRICING AND SPECIAL PRE-ORDER "MERCENARY EDITION" FOR ELITE: DANGEROUS
All Existing and New Pre-Orders of Elite: Dangerous Will Receive a £4.99 Discount and a Range of Digital Extras in the 'Mercenary Edition'
Cambridge, UK – September 12, 2014 – Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) today announced pricing details for the release version of Elite: Dangerous along with additional information about the day one digital pre-order edition.
Elite: Dangerous on final release will be available for £39.99 ($59.99 and €49.99) through Frontier's online store.
Frontier also announced that a special pre-order digital pack -- the Mercenary Edition -- is now available for £35.00 ($50 and €40) to all customers who pre-order the game before the day of release. Those who have already pre-ordered the final release version of Elite: Dangerous or backed the game through Alpha and Beta stages will also receive the pre-order digital pack when the game is released.
The Elite: Dangerous Mercenary Edition is loaded with digital extras. As well as a digital download copy of the game, the pack contains:Plus additional in-game benefits and other digital goodies to be announced over the coming weeks. David Braben, CEO of Frontier said; "We are hugely appreciative of everyone who has demonstrated their support for the game by backing it through the early development phase or pre-ordering the game prior to release. Without those people, Elite: Dangerous would not be at the stage it is today. The Mercenary Pack is our way of rewarding them before we release the game."
Elite: Dangerous will be released in Q4 2014.
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About Frontier Developments
Frontier Developments plc is a leading independent game developer founded in 1994 by David Braben, co-author of the seminal 'Elite' game. Based in Cambridge, UK and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, Frontier uses its proprietary 'Cobra' game development technology to create innovative games across videogame consoles, computers, smartphones and tablets.
Elite: Dangerous, to be released on PC and Mac, was initially crowd-funded via a successful Kickstarter campaign and Frontier's own website. Previous Frontier titles include RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, Thrillville, LostWinds, Kinectimals, Kinect Disneyland Adventures. The studio recently announced 'Screamride' for Microsoft's new Xbox One console and is also working on other original IP titles with publishing partners.
