After months of conspiracies and speculation, Elite Dangerous players finally have confirmation that the Thargoids are coming. It’s been a long wait for the galaxy’s newest residents — who probably don’t have humanity’s best interests in mind, by the way — but it sounds like the Elite Dangerous community has plenty to look forward to before the end of 2017.
Elite Dangerous players spent the last 18-plus months trying to uncover a series of mysteries many were certain would reveal the long-forgotten Thargoids. First, a series of Unknown Artefacts began to spawn throughout the Milky Way. And it didn’t take long for players to realize they could be weaponized, with mass deliveries resulting in security lockdowns for the receiving station, settlement or outpost. Then players began getting interdicted by unidentified vessels during routine hyperspace jumps. And earlier this month, Elite Dangerous fans reported several unidentified vessel sightings on planetary surfaces in/around the Pleiades Sector. Players were certain they were the Thargoids. But Frontier refused to say anything about the unidentified visitors.
But the studio has finally confirmed the original Elite villains will return in Elite Dangerous. And Frontier CEO David Braben says their sudden resurgence could have massive ramifications for the ED community.
“Story events have hinted at the Thargoids’ return for a long time, but the Thargoids are returning at a moment when humanity is at its most divided,” Braben said. “The Federation and Empire are at each other’s throats, a second tiny human-occupied bubble has scattered humanity’s greatest pilots, and Thargoid scout ships are drawing near. They have already probed our space, infiltrated our starports and found humanity to be vulnerable. What happens next will be decided by every Elite Dangerous player.”
For an early look at what to expect from The Return, and the months leading up to the next big Elite Dangerous expansion, check out the new E3 2017 trailer. Then drop by the comments and let us know what you thought of Frontier’s long-awaited Thargoid reveal.
Elite Dangerous is currently available for PC and Xbox One. The game hits PS4 on June 27. The game’s next expansion, The Return , debuts in Q3 2017.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more Elite Dangerous news in 2017, and however long Frontier Developments supports Elite Dangerous.
