Elite: Dangerous - Epic History of The Empire

I take a look at the history of the Empire and how it rose to power within the Elite universe. This is the first part of a regular series where I detail the full lore of Elite. The next parts will feature The Alliance, and then the Federation.
Videos on the Powers behind Powerplay will also form a part of this series, along with anything and everything else relating to the lore and history of Elite.
Many thanks for use of the assets as found on www.edassets.or...
All material copyright belongs to their respective owners.
All Elite: Dangerous content and material belongs to Frontier Developments.

[@boogiedown7608]

If it's in space, and it's called "the empire", I'm in.

[@captainrookie501]

Same

[@dennisrichards2540]

Spot on Ant! I don't think may Elite players would read up on the Lore but your ability to tell the story make it a very interest subject. Great Idea, I look forward to your next Lore video.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Dennis Richards Thanks Dennis! :) Another one of these videos is due very soon.

[@RobFisherUK]

Dennis Richards For a moment there I thought: "Jay Maynard plays elite!"

[@dennisrichards2540]

I bet he does, Jacked in to VR

[@Viejoviajero]

Is there any way to automate a thumbs up for the vids of this guy?

[@noahlonaker2668]

HOW DID I JUST FIND OUT ABOUT THIS GAME! WHERE HAS IT BEEN ALL MY LIFE

[@themakis2082]

Noah Lonaker You buy it yet? :)

[@BobloggRavarge]

I feel you! I had been looking for a gem like this for a while! I was just recently suggested this game by the friend of a friend because I was looking for another game to play until No Man's Sky's latest and really good looking expansion gets out. But this game is SOOOO badass, even the frickin' Advanced Combat Tutorial is kind of a challenge until you get used to the controls... I was barely able to keep the ennemy ships in front of me and in my aiming sights, they just kept looping around me waaaay too fast and outmaneuvering me easily... I felt like my ship's maneuverability was totally sub-par compared to these better fighter-specialized ones in my basic all-around Starter Sidewinder... I got toasted at least 3-4 times before I got a good grip of controlling my power distribution, speed managing and turning techniques...

[@jeremiahbullfrog1844]

Believe it or not, this game has been around for almost 4 decades, my good man.

[@hugoo5011]

Feel the same 5 years later!! Just found it

[@luckylanno]

I just started playing, even though I've known about since before launch. At least you were there ahead of me!

[@johnnypatterson77]

These video's should have been inside the game, ObsidianAnt you did a excellent job. I always thought there should have been a back story in Elite Dangerous.

[@Mifoe.]

Oh my god, please continue this series, it's awesome! I'm too lazy to read up on Elite lore myself, and I love your voice XD.

[@ObsidianAnt]

MiFOE Sydcrow Thanks! :) Another Epic History video is due early next week.

[@gamevalor]

This video doesn't really describe Empire society and things like slavery, decadence and the almost boundless power of senators and the emperor. The Elite Dangerous RPG should have more official descriptions.

[@ThomasJackPotter]

I guess even the media in the game suppress certain facts

[@quantomic1106]

I pledge allegiance to Lord Frieza. Ruler of the galaxy!

[@taxuenowoz4038]

quantomic1106 PTO?

[@sunnycat69]

Hail victory

[@BRBMrSoul]

Damn right

[@Platinumsniper]

I can't wait for you to do an episode on the Pilots federation

[@bengambino9755]

Top notch vids, Ant! Even several years later, as someone just getting into the Elite universe, this was so cool. Puts some history behind the power play. I joined the Empire under the Lady Duvall, but mostly because I liked her politics of combat and subversion. Its super cool to hear the history behind it.

[@MilkBreakMinecraft]

You reached the Elite: Dangerous Newsletter! Congratulations! :D

[@BadJuice]

proud to be Empire :D

[@INTYHazor]

Zach gang

[@Marcoffs83]

@AgainstTheSystem .ATS yes.

[@IceDragonASLT]

Time they offered you a job. ObsidianAnt Duval for Emporer

[@spaceweed1025]

***** Why? He's taken this information directly from the game itself - none of it is his own work /shrug.

[@combustiblefire5510]

I hate this comment, it's spelled emperor

[@thekarnyx]

@@combustiblefire5510 wdym that's what makes this comment gold

[@combustiblefire5510]

@@thekarnyx well I prefer correct spelling but meh

[@TrikeSquadron]

wow! awesome telling of the story. Cant wait for more!

[@MyDatrsPrsnlATM]

ObsidianAnt, Thank you for taking the time to post your vids! They are informative and very entertaining, and it's helping draw more CMDRs into my community. Keep up the good work, and maybe someday, we can all meet up in that void we call space....... CMDR Cactus McPrickly

[@ObsidianAnt]

MyDatrsPrsnlATM Thank you! :)

[@holycrapith]

What is the music used in the background for the video? I looked in the description and credits, but couldn't find anything. Great video by the way, extremely informative!

[@MonstersMustDieX]

Thank you for putting together such informative videos! Can't wait to see more of this series.

[@TheShade3d]

When I started Elite just some days ago, I found your videos about many aspects of the game and they really helped a lot (1000 thanks for EDFx, that's art!). But only today, I found these narrating, totally worthwile videos on the lore and history. Man, this is great. Are you an employee of FD? I thought not. But how can you do these? If I knew you in RL, I certainly would buy you a big beer, but for being in virtuality - here you are (*passes a big beer*). Cheers!

[@panthamor]

Yea I started out some days ago now as well, I love his vids. I have a feeling i'm going to put thousands of hours in this game. You still playing?

[@ObsidianAnt]

+SpyTec I can't reply directly to your message due to your Google+ settings. But yes, I did use some EDAssets, thank you so much! I did mean to mention that in the video description, I will add that now. :)

[@cheif10thumbs]

ObsidianAnt Superior work OA!

[@Frank_G_Finster]

ObsidianAnt Thank you. Excellent video with lots of useful information and entertaining presentation. Very nice narration too. Keep it coming :)

[@SpyTec]

ObsidianAnt No wonder I never get any replies on KZbin.. I'll see if I can change that option somewhere. But no problem, glad people are getting a use of it :)

[@ObsidianAnt]

SpyTec - Looks like you fixed the Google+ settings. I can reply to you directly now. And thanks again! :)

[@Platinumsniper]

+ObsidianAnt will we ever see the episodes on the history of the powers and maybe a recap of the last 2 years of the game once Season 2 ends

[@hoyteq]

Nice work Obsidian love hearing about the lore about the games I love to play and this is no exception, looking forward to seeing the others.

[@OMGCaptRaven]

Very nice voice to listen to, easy to understand sentences, good visualization - as a newcomer who has never played the old Elite games and never really bothered to read up all the lore of E:D, thank you for making this video! Looking forward to the next ones.

[@ObsidianAnt]

OMGCaptRaven Thank you! :) The game has a great history to it, I really hope that at some point it gets included into the game.

[@FluffyCanadianPirate]

Hey can I just say these videos are awesome! You give very clear and understandable commentary on the lore and history, plus you just got the voice for it too

[@TenofSwords]

Great video, thank you so much. I'm so glad someone took the time to make a history of the lore.

[@stevenwisniewski1]

Wish they had more reference to this stuff in-game besides the GalNet feed.

[@sotbs2641]

This is great. I was aware of the Elite franchise from just about when I started gaming, but I didn't get into space games/sims until Freelancer. There's a bit of an information overload - so this really helped!

[@swolelordnito2233]

All hail the blue haired babe.

[@anonymous-dn9ez]

she is cute

i want to like this comment so hard but it already has 69 likes at this point :D

[@assassinaria]

I chose the old bitch from day 1.

[@roach99999]

Old man gang

[@INTYHazor]

Evil looking federal Zach army

[@hankleberry]

Man, this was FANTASTIC. I wish I could give what it meant to me to have it all spelled out in less than 10 minutes and cannot wait to see the others.

[@jonathanbaago5312]

I always find every video you make to be both interesting and entertaining. - Also i appreciate the game even more by understanding some of the fundamentals you lay out. Thank you very much for the time and effort you spend on all this.

[@maydrock]

Thanks for this video! As someone new to the Elite universe this was a tremendous help and look forward to the suggested lore series.

[@steveragnar1155]

More reasons to loath the Empire! One reason to love the Empire? The girl with the blue tresses! Fascinating - it's like being around the camp fire listening to the old tales being recounted by the old folk! Any heroes of heroic deeds to come?

[@evildude2135]

I hate the blue hair lady. The whole point of the empire is that we get to be the evil bad guys but then this person comes and bans slavery and narcotics in all the systems she controls and gains so much popularity because of simps.

[@BRBMrSoul]

@@evildude2135 lol salt more please, can’t hear you over sound of my prismatic shields.

[@ivanlisboa6209]

Great story telling, you have a voice that inspirars clam and peace. So when you talk about waring faction you project hope. Very nicely done.

[@panko2848]

Thank you so much for these, I'm watching them just before getting ahold of Elite Dangerous for the first time (I held off until Horizons was out to avoid paying more) I see a lot of complaints about E:D being a boring, empty or shallow universe but this just goes to show that it isn't at all, it is just a game more geared towards role players, the lore is all there, you just have to look for it and do what you like with it in game.

[@stephane75004]

Awesome idea for this series !!! I'll make sure to watch and even rewatch every single episode.

[@ObsidianAnt]

stephane75004 Thank you! Another one should be out some time next week.

[@harryatkins]

Nice video! I look forward to more videos about the ED galactic history!

[@billradloff1919]

Great info, Obsidian! Never really knew the whole backstory..but damn, things are about to get very...interesting around the Empire.

[@Dobbo314]

Great job on the "History of the Empire" I look forward your other vis on Histories within the Elite.Universe.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Steve Dobson Thanks. :) Another video on the Epic History should be up some time next week.

[@Commandelicious]

1. Elite 2. Good voice 3. Best content 4. Pure envy Keep them coming :)

[@MrNibnob2]

See? War never changes. Nice job ant. I love these vids.

[@cbh09c]

Thanks a lot to these videos! Very well done

[@jamessawyer9816]

I like these videos they’re very good for deciding who to ally with

[@DarkDragonPath]

For those that are wondering, the outtro instrumental music: Lâu Đài Cát by Luu Gia Khang

[@Filimonki]

I love your videos! So good to watch while traveling large distances in Elite

[@JypsonGTS]

A great little history lesson, well done! :D

[@fatherofamir]

I thank you for this series! As I'm sure you know, ED is a game of immersion.. This enhances that immersion immensely... It's actually causing me to have second thoughts about the faction I belong to (Empire) based on morality... Hm... I'm always looking to enhance my ED experience.. I've recently invested in a good flight stick and next on my list is a VR set.. I hear this would take it to the next level! Thanks again

[@number1sun]

Awesome editing and storytelling Ant!

[@enthaa]

Thank you for making this lore series.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Howard Thomas The game has such great history, it is a pleasure to make these. Another one should be up early next week.

[@CarvellFenton]

Really enjoying your videos! Keep up the excellent work! Much appreciated.

[@dusankollar602]

Thx for the video. I do not like to read from computer screen. This is very good format like a podcast. I am big fan of lore, keep up the good work. Looking forward for the Alliance! Ahoj

[@ObsidianAnt]

Dušan Kollár Thanks. Alliance should be out in a few days or so.

[@goxcpre]

Loving this series. Keep up the good work!

[@OhaidereHowAreUTday]

Excellent, well presented, and well researched video! Elite has a pretty deep backstory, but it's pretty poorly documented, and some times, old stuff can conflict with new information, so be careful with that in the future. If anyone is interested in related things, I recommend the Lore diaries on FD's channel.

[@ObsidianAnt]

OhaidereHowAreUTday It would just be great if some of this lore was actually in the game. Maybe one day.

[@garycleveland6410]

Awesome storytelling.

[@nemotazzer4175]

This was VERY good.. I always enjoy your video's, and Yes I've subscribed to your channel...I thought this was very informative & interesting because I'm new to the Elite Universe and enjoy the lore of games that I play. Thanks for a good video & I look forward to the others as well.

[@MadMoses56]

Great as always Ant

[@Vergial1986]

You're bloody good at this. Just sayin'. I think you can pick any topic and not only captivate, but make it sound goddamn epic.

[@Cango19]

Amazing video ObsidianAnt, thank you very much.

[@iloldthough6611]

Awesome video idea, subscribed, will be looking out for the rest!

[@zulwe]

Well done, sir!

[@russtuff]

Well done, and very enjoyable.

[@ndcouch]

i absolutely love games with deep lore (EvE online and mass effect come to mind) and appreciate it when the dev's and community continuously add to it. ED is my first dive into the Elite universe and I've only been playing for about 2 weeks, so this is all new to me. I hope you do ALOT more videos like this. I'm also loving your exploration video's, I'm currently in a stripped down DB Scout and have been checking out the "coalsack" and the pipe (bowl and stem) regions. It's been about a week since I've seen a station, which I know is nothing compared to a core trip or trip across the entire galaxy but its still fun. im hoping to be able to afford an asp in the next few days, at which point im definitely going to the core so I can get my name on the Sagitarius A visitation list :)PS I've tried subscribing several times but your button just goes from bright red, to light red, and then back again. must be a firewall setting since I'm at work.

[@ObsidianAnt]

+ndcouch The coal sack is great, and I have a video coming on that one next week! Elite does have some really nice lore, I have two other videos on this - one for the Federation and one for the Alliance. There is also one on the alien race the Thargoids. Thanks for your comment! :)

[@Swidhelm]

Awesome vid! Looking forward to the others.

[@cmdrwraithe1857]

Ant, I really have enjoyed the lote videos. Is this made clear in game play? If so, I haven't noticed it yet and I've playing a couple of years. Anywaysb these are really cool vids and thank you for all of your effort! Also, I still think FDev should record you to be a COVAS. Haha

[@dylanf7990]

He has his own station control voice.

[@brandonmunro1332]

FOR THE EMPIRE

[@matibakija7083]

Oh the irony...

[@Alucard9692010]

subscribed for this lore series.

[@ihaveacar]

All hail Space Khaleesi. The one true Emperor.

[@mark-allenspencer4935]

All hail Princess Aisling Duval. All hail the glorious empire.

[@HUntr-qb8ys]

+Mark-Allen Spencer she is the best :D

[@wildanS]

All hail Princess Aisling, all hail prismatic shields!

[@profozpin227]

+CMDR Aleciton hail!

[@NatsSt]

Great history I like these games but havent spent much time studying the history of the factions so this is interesting to me.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Nigel Stutt It would be really nice if some of this was included in the game. There is such a rich history that it would make a great backdrop.

[@NatsSt]

Yes I have to say I am seeing a lot less news now that I used to - I assume its all in Powerplay now but for people like me who dont want to be part of Powerplay the whole galaxy has got a lot duller.

[@corrigendum3955]

Thank you for the video!

[@rafvonthorn2970]

Awesome! I suggest you do the same with major player groups (Im with Emperors Grace ;)). Especially after we are allowed to adopt minor factions.

[@Deliverygirl]

You're an awesome narrator, have you considered doing stuff for Radio Sidewinder or even applying for FD and do some narration works for the game? Serious stuff right here.

[@eddyram4932]

The empire wins simply cuz they are stylish, can't go wrong with those beautiful ships they put out.

[@ostegonation]

Wait... what was the sentient species that was annihilated? I can't seem to find any information on them. P.S. Awesome video OA!

[@dylanf7990]

You mean the guardians

[@alinalexandru2466]

They were called 'mudlarks' and were a pre-agricultiral species. elite-dangerous.fandom.com/wiki/Mudlark

[@TESI303]

Very well done!

[@legolover2588]

1/2 the reason I play this game is to watch these videos, get pumped, and login

[@Ermy1996]

Those video are Amazing. just a question, the lore of the powerplays will be a thing?

[@vaeledendehar6819]

Loved it thank you and well done

[@Jesses001]

Great series. I was never able to play the older games or read the books, so when I got into Elite Dangerous, I had to take a crash course on the lore. This will help fill in any holes I have. Also, you are rather good at telling a story. As for the Empire, it might be the American in me, but I do not like the idea of ruling families. That has not been the best of ideas though our history and seems to bread a lot of corruption and class strife.

[@ObsidianAnt]

Jesse Sisolack History is pretty interesting isn't it - even fictional history. Let's wait and see how much corruption there is in the democratic Federation...

[@Jesses001]

ObsidianAnt Being the oldest and based originally on the government of Earth, I would guess a lot.

[@MandoDeLaTelevision]

thank you so much for this vídeo dude

[@puskajussi37]

Ant, I love your content, past and new. However, coming from the future, I just cannot help myself to not comment how nerdy your voice sounds in the beginning of this :D

[@macaronisalad3038]

Oh and the moving specks you see on screen in FSD but don't show up on radar that is a thargoid

[@Vevvev8]

And now we have Emperor Arissa Lavigny Duvall as leader of the Empire. Be interesting to see what happens next.

[@SpyTec]

I can't help but think you made use of EDAssets or my fan-traced vectors. Nice video! :D

[@Sithishe]

is it just me, or its really sounds like Legend of Galactic Heroes

[@potionseller8943]

ill be honest the only thing i like about the empire is their aesthetic. their ships are nice and the imperial system music is pretty.

[@TheFallinhalo]

their Ships look like cheap Plastic, but sure the asthetic may look good but i wouldnt trust them at all knowing the empire employs slaves, they are likely bound to have an "Accident"

[@Michalinus]

2:45 The Republic will be reorganized into first galactic empire!

[@UCannotDefeatMyShmeat]

Man went full dumbass aliens from Independence Day rather than just finding an uninhabited earth like world, there’s literally countless bruv

[@chaseelearning]

Really good!!

[@MeUngaBungaButYouAreWorst]

With the blood of an enemy shall the marks be made upon the missile. Then bless the missile and present unto the mounting. Say the prayer of firing and curse the target. Do this rapidly lest the wrath of the weapon be wasted. Point the eye of the weapon so that it may see the object of its wrath. When the weapon has uttered its curse and eaten the soul of its victim, then shall you take up the next missile... FOR THE EMPEROR... I MEANT THE EMPRESS

[@patrickmcglonejr8163]

Im currently in deep cover masquerading as a Federal Navy pilot, working my way to steal the plans for the Federal Corvette for her Majesty Princess Duval........ LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!

[@jana31415]

How old can humans in elite dangerous get?!?!?!?!?!?! Li yong-rui looks like 40, but he is over 107 years old!

[@bigbitehood1353]

Background music at 0:01

[@studz123]

awesome job Ant knowing all this will help me decide who to side with at the moment im neutral

[@Kwaark]

Thanks !!! Amazing

[@xenmckinzee8348]

Marlin Duval? Is that where the Marlinists come from?

[@astrofridgemagnet1172]

Great video, thanks :-)

[@umapessoaqualquer3688]

great vídeo

[@kenithshepard4220]

Can you do a video on individual power play members

[@prussiaballmapping7399]

What is the Epic soundtrack playing???

[@sinntaxdagreat]

For the Princess!

[@amadeoideespana2917]

For the princess! For the Empire! For the Duval!

[@Spicyknigh7]

She wanted to get away from hierarchy and oppression and in her place the ultimate force of oppression was born.

[@ohauss]

Yeah, the origin story lacks a bit of plausibility, but then, the powers that be aren't exactly anthropologists or historiographers.

[@terijohnson2429]

awesome