Elite Dangerous vs. Star Citizen — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on January 26, 2024
Elite Dangerous is a space-flight simulation game known for its realistic galaxy and physics, whereas Star Citizen is an ambitious, crowd-funded space trading and combat game with a focus on detailed universe and narrative.
Difference Between Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Elite Dangerous, developed by Frontier Developments, offers a realistic Milky Way galaxy simulation with a focus on space exploration, trading, and combat. Star Citizen, by Cloud Imperium Games, aims to create a detailed universe encompassing space combat, trading, and first-person elements.
Elite Dangerous emphasizes realism in space physics and exploration, providing a vast, open-world experience. Star Citizen, while also offering a vast universe, focuses more on narrative depth and detailed world-building.
The development of Elite Dangerous follows a more traditional model with regular updates and expansions. Star Citizen is notable for its ongoing, crowd-funded development model, promising an expansive and evolving game world.
In terms of gameplay, Elite Dangerous offers more structured missions and a clear progression system. Star Citizen aims to provide a more dynamic experience, with an emphasis on player-driven stories and interactions.
Elite Dangerous is available and playable with a complete base game and expansions. Star Citizen, still in development, offers modules to backers with an evolving experience as more features are added.
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Comparison Chart
Development Model
Traditional with regular updates
Ongoing, crowd-funded development
Gameplay Focus
Space exploration, trading, combat
Detailed universe, narrative, and FPS elements
Realism
Realistic galaxy and space physics
Detailed world-building and narrative
Game World
Realistic Milky Way simulation
Expanding and evolving universe
Availability
Fully playable with expansions
In development, modules available
Compare with Definitions
Elite Dangerous
Known for its realistic space physics and vast open-world.
The realistic flight mechanics in Elite Dangerous make every journey thrilling.
Star Citizen
Focuses on player-driven stories and dynamic experiences.
My adventures in Star Citizen are unique thanks to the game's dynamic world.
Elite Dangerous
Offers structured missions and clear progression.
I completed a series of challenging missions in Elite Dangerous.
Star Citizen
Notable for its ongoing development and evolving game world.
The latest module in Star Citizen added a whole new star system to explore.
Elite Dangerous
Developed by Frontier Developments with regular updates.
Elite Dangerous constantly evolves, adding new features and expansions.
Star Citizen
Developed by Cloud Imperium Games, funded through crowdfunding.
Star Citizen's ambitious scope is made possible by its crowd-funded model.
Elite Dangerous
A space-flight simulation game set in a realistic Milky Way galaxy.
Exploring distant star systems in Elite Dangerous is breathtaking.
Star Citizen
Aims to offer a mix of space combat, trading, and first-person elements.
In Star Citizen, I can engage in dogfights in space and FPS battles on planets.
Elite Dangerous
Combines space exploration, trading, and combat.
In Elite Dangerous, I trade goods between star systems to earn credits.
Star Citizen
A crowd-funded space trading and combat game with a detailed universe.
Star Citizen's universe is so detailed, every planet feels unique.
Common Curiosities
Is Star Citizen fully released?
No, Star Citizen is still in development with various modules available for backers.
What makes Star Citizen unique in terms of development?
Its ongoing, crowd-funded development model and ambitious, evolving universe.
What is the core gameplay of Elite Dangerous?
It focuses on space exploration, trading, and combat within a realistic Milky Way galaxy.
Can you play Elite Dangerous offline?
No, Elite Dangerous requires an online connection for its open-world gameplay.
How does Star Citizen's funding model impact its development?
The crowd-funded model allows for ambitious development but also leads to extended production timelines.
Can you build your own ships in Elite Dangerous?
You can customize and upgrade ships, but not build them from scratch.
Does Elite Dangerous have a narrative focus?
While it has background lore, its focus is more on open-world exploration than narrative.
Is Star Citizen playable now?
Yes, backers can access various modules, though the game is still under development.
How does the multiplayer aspect work in Elite Dangerous?
Players can interact, trade, or engage in combat with others in a shared galaxy.
Does Elite Dangerous support VR?
Yes, Elite Dangerous has VR support for immersive space exploration.
Can players walk around planets in Star Citizen?
Yes, Star Citizen includes first-person elements, allowing players to explore planets on foot.
What kind of expansions does Elite Dangerous offer?
Expansions like "Horizons" introduce new gameplay elements like planetary landings.
What are the system requirements for Star Citizen?
Star Citizen requires a high-end PC due to its detailed graphics and expansive universe.
What is the community's role in shaping Star Citizen?
The community, as backers, provide feedback and funding, influencing the game's direction.
Are there any similarities between Elite Dangerous and Star Citizen?
Both offer immersive space exploration experiences, though with different focuses and development models.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
