Enlarge / Players will be able to throw down a few bucks to get the Python Mk 2 starting next month. (credit: Frontier Developments)

Elite: Dangerous players will soon be able to pay real money for access to in-game ships for the first time, a major change that already has some long-time players raging about a "pay-to-win" shift for the long-running game.

Since Elite Dangerous launched over nine years ago , the game has sold ships in exchange for in-game credits earned through gameplay. The separate ARX currency, which can be purchased with real money , has been reserved for cosmetic upgrades such as paint jobs.

That's all set to change next month, though, when owners of the Odyssey expansion will be able to purchase early access to the Python Mk II variant ship for 16,250 ARX (the equivalent of about $11 to $13, depending on how much ARX is purchased in bulk). Non-Odyssey owners won't be able to purchase the Python Mk II with regular credits until three months later, on August 7. At that point, the ship will also be available as an ARX-denominated "pre-built ship package" that "allow[s] you to kickstart your career in the latest ship, including a brand-new paintjob and ship kit."