I actually think this release is different. Killing off VR is a big one; while it was used by a small percentage of the player base, they were the ones who were really into the game and kept the community alive.

And more than most games, Elite basically requires you to use third-party tools built by the community to do the more complex stuff like long-distance navigation or trading. Many are already long in the tooth, and Odyssey is rapidly pushing away the most dedicated part of the community.