When it comes to space exploration games, there are a few known staples. While No Man's Sky has come into its own, for many, it is still the space of Elite: Dangerous that holds the most promise. One of the first prominently integrated SteamVR titles of its time, Elite: Dangerous is still growing six years later.
What makes Elite: Dangerous fun for so many is the freedom it gives players. Marketed somewhat less ambitiously than No Man's Sky, it delivered on most of what it promised. The title sees players exploring a huge galaxy in piloted spaceships, carrying cargo from station to station and fighting both pirates and each other. Since its original launch, it has received lots of support and updates. This often takes the form of DLC, such as with Elite: Dangerous Horizons.
Since its inception, the DLC of Elite: Dangerous has launched new concepts in the game. The latest added Fleet Carriers, which have already changed exploration. One of the most important is Horizons. The DLC adds the first instances of multicrew co-op, fighters that are launched from ships in combat, and planetary landing/exploration in surface vehicles. The planetary craft add an entirely new dimension to galactic exploration. On October 27th, everyone will get to experience that dimension when Horizons goes free to play.
There are a few reasons behind this move. For one, it has been four years since Horizons released, and it has become integral to the game. The more immediate reason however is the upcoming release of the Odyssey DLC. In Elite: Dangerous Odyssey, players can explore planets on foot for the first time. This means that planetary landing is required to experience Odyssey, something only introduced in Horizons. To ensure players can get the latest DLC, Horizons will be made free for all Elite: Dangerous players.
To be clear, the base game is not going free to play. Horizons will simply be removed as a DLC and incorporated into the base game on October 27th. Anyone who purchases the base game after this point will have all the Horizons features available as well. They will have plenty of time to become familiar with Horizon's ins and outs by the time Odyssey launches in 2021.
Players who have already purchased Horizons for money will not receive a refund. They will, however, receive a special Azure paint job for all ships. This is the only way to get the paint job. Whether or not it will appear in the Warhammer RTS game made by Dangerous' developers is hard to say, but it would certainly be a nice Easter egg.
Elite: Dangerous is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.