Elite (video game)

File:BBC Micro Elite screenshot.png

The player initially controls the character "Commander Jameson", though the name can be changed each time the game is saved. The player starts at Lave Station with 100 credits and a lightly armed trading ship, a Cobra Mark III. Most of the ships that the player encounters are similarly named after snakes or other reptiles. Credits can be accumulated through a number of means. These include piracy, trade, military missions, bounty hunting and asteroid mining. The money generated by these enterprises allows the player to upgrade their ship with enhancements such as better weapons, increased cargo capacity, an automated docking system, an extra energy bank and more.{{cite web | url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/elite | title=Elite | publisher=mobygames.com | access-date=19 January 2015 }}

In the game universe, stars have single planets, each with a space station in its orbit. Stars are always separated by interstellar distances which cannot be crossed using the ship's sublight engines. Travel between stars is accomplished by hyperspace jumps, and is constrained to those within range of the limited fuel capacity (a maximum of 7 light years) of the ship's hyperdrive. Sublight travel uses no fuel.

Fuel can be replenished after docking with a space station, which requires matching the ship's rotation to that of the station before entering the docking bay—a task that can be avoided by purchasing a docking computer. Equipment upgrades include a fuel scoop, which allows "sun skimming"—collecting energy from the stars' corona—described by the manual as "a dangerous and difficult activity", but in practice a fairly simple process far easier than manually docking at a space station—and collecting free-floating cargo canisters and escape capsules liberated after the destruction of other ships.{{cite web | last = Barton | first = Matt |author2=Bill Loguidice | title = The History of Elite: Space, the Endless Frontier | website = Gamasutra | date = 7 April 2009 | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3983/the_history_of_elite_space_the_.php | access-date = 27 December 2009}}

While making a hyperspace jump between star systems, the antagonistic Thargoid race may intercept the player half way, forcing the player's ship to remain in "witch-space" and do battle with the smaller invasion ships of the Thargoid. As the interrupted jump uses the full journey's fuel, the player may have insufficient fuel to subsequently jump to a nearby planet, trapping them in witch-space. They must either use an escape capsule, if owned, or abort the game and reload.{{cite web|title=Elite FAQ Ian Bell Autumn 1999|url=http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/faq.htm|access-date=23 January 2015}}

An extremely expensive one-time galactic hyperspace upgrade permits travel between the eight galaxies of the game universe. There is little practical difference between the different galaxies. However, in some versions it is necessary to travel to at least the second galaxy to access the game's missions. The planetary layout of the galaxies is different, and many players have discovered trade routes between closely positioned planets with fortuitous economic combinations.

Most versions of Elite included several optional jobs for the Galactic Navy.{{citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer15-Jan85#page/n14/mode/1up | title=An Elite Crew | journal=Micro Adventurer | date=January 1985 | issue=15 | page=15 }} One requires tracking down and destroying a stolen experimental ship; another involves transporting classified information on the Thargoids' home planet, with Thargoid invasion ships doing their best to see that the player does not succeed throughout the duration of the mission involving multiple interplanetary jumps. Rewards differed depending on the mission - from cash and gems to esoteric hardware such as a cloaking device.

According to Braben and Bell, Elite was inspired by a range of sources. The developers refer to 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the original Battlestar Galactica as influences. Braben also cites the works of Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Arthur C. Clarke, Robert L. Forward, Isaac Asimov and Orson Scott Card.Rusell DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson, High Score!: the illustrated history of electronic games, p. 340-341 While both have confirmed that the default commander name Jameson was inspired by the Traveller tabletop role-playing game which Bell played,{{cite web | url=http://www.hooplah.com/encounters/trivia.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060530050948/http://www.hooplah.com/encounters/trivia.htm | archive-date=30 May 2006 | title=Elite Trivia | access-date=21 May 2006}} Braben has denied that substantial parts were derived from it.{{cite web|last=Braben|first=David|title=I am David Braben, co-creator of Elite, creator of Frontier, Frontier II and the upcoming Elite: Dangerous|date=30 December 2012|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/c7octww |publisher=Reddit AMA |access-date=30 December 2012}}

When the developers met at Jesus College, Cambridge, Bell was already working on a game for Acornsoft called Freefall.{{Citation | title = David Braben | journal = The One | issue=28 | pages=112 | date = January 1991 | publisher=EMAP | url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-28/TheOne_28_Jan_1991#page/n111/mode/2up}} Braben had started writing a game called Fighter, but had not yet completed it. The two projects were sufficiently similar that Braben and Bell compared notes, and after seeing Star Raiders on the Atari 800 they decided to collaborate to produce what eventually became Elite. They first approached Thorn EMI;[https://web.archive.org/web/20140825111235/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/games/11051122/Elite-the-game-that-changed-the-world.html The Daily Telegraph] the company's rejection letter stated that the game was too complicated and needed to be finishable in 10 minutes with three lives. Braben and Bell then met with Acornsoft; their demo of Elite's combat and docking sequences impressed managing director David Johnson-Davies and other Acornsoft executives. The company agreed to publish the finished game, although they feared that it was too ambitious for Braben and Bell, and was uncertain about the merits of two developers instead of one on a single game.{{cite web | title = Interview - From Outsider To Elite: In Conversation With David Braben | website = Gamasutra | date = 17 October 2005 | url = http://gamedeveloper.com/view/feature/130841/interview__from_outsider_to_.php}}{{citation | last=Spufford | first=Francis | title=Masters of their universe, edited extract from Backroom Boys: The Secret Return Of The British Boffin | url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/oct/18/features.weekend | journal=The Guardian| location=London | date=18 October 2003 | isbn= 9780571214969}} The programmers were given a £1,000 advance from the company and a royalty rate of 7.5% was agreed.

The game took two years to write and started out as a 3D arcade game without the trading element. It was written in machine code using assembly language,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/oct/18/features.weekend|title=Masters of Their Universe|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Francis Spufford|date=18 October 2003 |access-date=8 May 2015}} giving much care to maximum compactness of the code. The last part added was the 3D radar display fitted into the last few unused bytes in their computer.UK Channel 5 television program "Brits Who Made The Modern World", 7.30-8.00 pm 22 August 2008

The original BBC version used a novel split screen approach to show four colours (five, including the black background) onscreen simultaneously; the upper two thirds of the screen were displayed in Mode 4 while the lower part was in Mode 5.{{citation | title=BBC Software | journal=Your Computer | date=November 1984 | page=60 | url=https://archive.org/stream/your-computer-magazine-1984-11/YourComputer_1984_11#page/n59/mode/2up }} The subsequent Electron version ran entirely in Mode 4, because the video chips were not 100% compatible and therefore were in black and white only.

The Elite universe contains eight galaxies, each with 256 planets to explore. Due to the limited capabilities of 8-bit computers, these worlds are procedurally generated. A single seed number is run through a fixed algorithm the appropriate number of times and creates a sequence of numbers determining each planet's complete composition (position in the galaxy, prices of commodities, and name and local details; text strings are chosen numerically from a lookup table and assembled to produce unique descriptions, such as a planet with "carnivorous arts graduates"). This means that no extra memory is needed to store the characteristics of each planet, yet each is unique and has fixed properties. Each galaxy is also procedurally generated from the first. Braben and Bell at first intended to have 2⁴⁸ galaxies, but Acornsoft insisted on a smaller universe to hide the galaxies' mathematical origins.{{r|motu_guardian}}

However, the use of procedural generation created a few problems. There are a number of poorly located systems that can be reached only by galactic hyperspace— these are more than 7 light years from their nearest neighbour, and, being low-tech, are unable to replace the galactic hyperdrive, thus trapping the traveller. Braben and Bell also checked that none of the system names were profane - removing an entire galaxy after finding a planet named "Arse".{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-david-braben-from-elite-to-today/1100-6162140/ | title= Q&A: David Braben--from Elite to today | website=GameSpot}}

The developers did not spend much time playing their creation, and the quality testing was mostly performed by Acornsoft's managing director David Johnson-Davies, who also planned the packaging and marketing campaign at the time.{{cite web | url=http://www.filfre.net/2013/12/elite/ | title=Elite (or, The Universe on 32 K Per Day) | work=The Digital Antiquarian | date=26 December 2013 | access-date=26 January 2015 | last=Maher | first=Jimmy}}

The original BBC Micro disk version uses a non-standard disk-format for copy protection. This relied on specific OSWORD &7F DFS opcodes in the Intel 8271 floppy-disk controller to directly access the disk, and produce a non-standard sector/track-layout. This causes issues for legitimate customers that use the Western Digital 1770 disk-controller (DFS) ROMs from third-party manufacturers such as Watford Electronics. Acorn subsequently released alternative versions of the BBC disks that are compatible with the WD1770. In addition to this, self-modifying code was used as part of the protection system, created by Rob Northen.{{cite web |url=http://zakalwe.fi/~shd/amiga-cracking/rob_northen_interview.txt | title=Rob Northen Interview}} This BBC disk-copy-protection was also used by Superior Software in its Exile game.{{cite web |url=http://exile.acornarcade.com/devel.html |title=Exile Disk Copy protection }}

{{Infobox book

| name = The Dark Wheel

| title_orig =

| translator =

| image = Elite The Dark Wheel Novella.jpg

| caption = Original Acornsoft cover

| author = Robert Holdstock

| cover_artist =

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| series =

| genre = Science fiction

| publisher = Acornsoft, Firebird Software

| release_date = 1984

| media_type = Paperback

| pages =

| isbn =

| preceded_by =

| followed_by =

}}

Acornsoft set in motion a large-scale publicity campaign and commissioned a presentational package for the game that was far more elaborate than normal. Acornsoft packaged Elite in a box larger than its usual releases, complete with a novella by Robert Holdstock called The Dark Wheel, a 64-page Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, reference card and a ship identification poster. The flight training manual was written in a style that took the rookie trader through the controls and various aspects of play.

The original Acornsoft version of The Dark Wheel promised on its back cover that "[a] sequel to the novella is planned for publication in 1985", but no direct sequel was ever written. A second novella, Imprint by Andy Redman, was included with the IBM PC release of Elite Plus, but apart from being set in the same universe it is in no way connected to the original story.

Marketing activities included a £50,000 promotional budget from Acornsoft, including television advertising and a launch party at the Thorpe Park theme park (holding such an event for a video game was almost unheard of at the time) and a competition to be among the first to achieve the status of "Elite".{{citation | title=Hal Joins the Elite | journal=Your Computer | date=December 1984 | page=50 | url=https://archive.org/stream/your-computer-magazine-1984-12/YourComputer_1984_12#page/n49/mode/1up }}

The story tells of a young starship pilot named Alex Ryder, whose father Jason is killed when their merchant ship is attacked by a notorious pirate. In trying to understand and avenge his father's death and achieve an "iron ass" (a space-trader's term for a well-armed- and armoured spaceship), Alex encounters the basics of the Elite universe—including combat, hyperdrive and hyperspace and the deadly aliens called Thargoids. Finally Alex discovers the truth about his father and his combat rank. He also acts as an acceptable face of trading as his female co-pilot, Elyssia Fields, is an alien and wanted in several systems. Alex wants to avenge his father's death, but must exercise caution in tracking down the assassin. By trading commodities, he slowly improves the arms and armour of his ship. When he is competent at using the spaceship for combat, but before he feels ready, he makes a trade that is sure to bring his father's killer to him.

Alex also learns what the "Dark Wheel" is and what it takes to join its ranks.{{cite web |url=http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/ | title=Ian Bell's Elite site}}

{{Clear}}

File:Arcelite through vipers.jpg

The first version of the game was released for the BBC Micro, model B on tape and disk and "about a month or two later" the Acorn Electron tape version was released.{{cite web | url=http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014628/Classic-Game-Postmortem | title=Classic Game Postmortem - ELITE | publisher=GCD.com }} The Electron's limitations meant the game was in black and white only, and several game features were cut including Thargoids and suns. Neither the BBC nor the Electron tape versions featured missions. Additionally, the original tape version for the Electron contained a bug that stopped Galactic Hyperspace from working.{{citation | title=Elite bugged | journal=Popular Computing Weekly | date= 6–12 December 1984 | volume=3 | issue=49 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/popular-computing-weekly-1984-12-06/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-12-06#page/n4/mode/1up }} Acorn provided a mail-in tape-replacement service to upgrade to v1.1 (marked as such on the tape label) that fixed this bug.{{citation | title=Elite bug is removed | journal=Popular Computing Weekly | date= 13–19 December 1984 | volume=3 | issue=50 | page=5 | url=https://archive.org/stream/popular-computing-weekly-1984-12-13/PopularComputing_Weekly_Issue_1984-12-13#page/n4/mode/1up }}

A version for the BBC Micro with the 6502 Second Processor was announced by Acornsoft on 25 July 1985, this new version added several extras over the standard BBC version, including 18 ships in the player environment (up from 10), no loading from disc when leaving/arriving at a space station, the ability to save screenshots and print screens to an Epson compatible printer. It also boasted over double the frame rate and a MODE1/MODE2 split screen vs. MODE4/MODE5 giving a full colour game for the first time. https://elite.bbcelite.com/6502sp/

The great commercial success of the BBC Micro version prompted a bidding war for the rights to publish Elite in other formats,{{citation | title=Elite Auction | journal=Micro Adventurer | date=December 1984 | issue=14 | page=7 | url=https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n6/mode/1up }} which British Telecom's software arm, Telecomsoft, eventually won.{{cite journal|title=Elite for Spectrum|journal=Home Computing Weekly|date=11 December 1984|issue=92|page=5|publisher=Argus Press|url=https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-092/Home_Computing_Weekly_092#page/n4/mode/1up}}

Contemporary versions for home computers based on the 6502 microprocessor were ported by either Bell or Bell and Braben. The Commodore 64 conversion introduced Trumbles{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/zzapp_64_issue_001_600dpi/Zzap640001Hi#page/n25|title = Zzap! 64 Issue 001 (HQ)}} (creatures based on the tribbles in Star Trek: The Original Series). When the docking computer is activated in the Commodore 64 version and some other versions, a musical rendition of "The Blue Danube" Waltz is played, as a nod to a space docking sequence in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

File:ZXSpectrum elite.gif

The ZX Spectrum version, programmed by "Torus"{{Citation | title = Face to Face with the Elite Programmer, Ricardo Pinto | newspaper = Amtix! Magazine | date = November 1986 | issue=13 | pages=84–86 | publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd | url=https://archive.org/stream/amtix-magazine-13/Amtix_13_Nov_1986#page/n83/mode/2up}} included a supernova mission not found in the original.

The Amstrad CPC conversion has fewer ships than other platforms, lacking the Anaconda and Transport, along with some minor differences in missions and titles.{{Citation | title = The Ultimate Space game Elite | newspaper = Amstrad Action | date = December 1985 | issue=3 | pages=70–71 | publisher=Future plc | url=https://archive.org/stream/amstrad-action-003/Amstrad_Action_003#page/n69/mode/2up}} Ricardo Pinto, the programmer for the Amstrad version, explained that his team was given a 6502 hex dump by Braben and Bell, which did not help development: "In the end we wrote our version by playing Elite on a [BBC Micro] and making ours look the same."{{cite magazine|magazine=Amtix|issue=13|page=84|title=Face to Face with the Elite Programmer, Ricardo Pinto|first=Lee|last=Paddon|publisher=Newsfield|date=November 1986}} This version included the "supernova rescue" and "cloaking device" missions, and refinements to the launch tube and jump drive animations.

According to the lead programmer of the 16 bit Amiga/Atari ST and the MSX conversions Rob Nicholson, he did not have access to the source code because of contractual issues and had to write them "blind". All he had were the ship shapes and the procedural generation code for the galaxies.{{cite web | title=Elite - Amiga Version - Detail questions | url=https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3220&page=10&p=121682&viewfull=1#post121682 | access-date=19 January 2015 | archive-date=20 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120023507/https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3220&page=10&p=121682&viewfull=1#post121682 | url-status=dead }}

Elite Plus was released for DOS in 1991. Whereas the original Elite (1987) for the PC used CGA graphics, Elite Plus was upgraded to take advantage of EGA, VGA and MCGA. It was coded entirely in assembly language by Chris Sawyer, who later wrote RollerCoaster Tycoon.{{cite web | url=http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/bbc/doc/games/EliteFAQ.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226021618/http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/bbc/doc/games/EliteFAQ.htm | archive-date=26 February 2009 | title=alt.fan.elite FAQ | first=Robert | last=Pfeifer | access-date=4 August 2006}} Section 3.18 and 3.19.

The Acorn Archimedes version, ArcElite (1991), written by Warren Burch & Clive Gringras and regarded by Stuff magazine as the best conversion of the original game,{{cite web | url=http://www.stuff.tv/news/past-and-future/gaming-greats/gaming-greats-%E2%80%93-elite-1984 | title=Gaming Greats – Elite (1984) | publisher=Stuff | work=stuff.tv | date=19 April 2010 | access-date=30 January 2012 | quote=The later version of Elite on the Acorn Archimedes is viewed as the best [...]}} added intelligent opponents who engage in their own private battles and police who take an active interest in protecting the law. As well as such gameplay enhancements, the version also exploited the more modern hardware by using polygon mesh graphics in place of the wire-frames. The game world no longer seems to be centred around the player; freighter fleets with escorts go about their own business, pirate formations patrol lawless systems looking for cargo to loot and mining ships can often be found breaking up asteroids for their mineral content. Unlike the mythical Generation Ships of the original, rare occurrences of other non-pirate entities mentioned in the manual really can be found in the Archimedes version: geometric formations of space beacons; hermits living among the asteroids; abandoned ships towed by police (although Dredgers and Generation Ships are confirmed not to exist in Archimedes Elite).{{cite web | url=http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/ArcElite | title=Archimedes Elite | publisher=Elite Wiki | access-date=5 October 2006}} The Archimedes version of Elite was originally written to be a space trading game called Trojan - however the obvious similarities eventually meant that to avoid a potential lawsuit Trojan had to become an official Elite conversion.Acorn User, September 1995 ArcElite was one of a number of games released for free by The Icon Bar website in 2006.{{cite news | url=http://www.iconbar.com/forums/viewthread.php?newsid=879 | title=Free games | work=The Icon Bar | date=11 January 2006 | access-date=26 March 2012 | first=Lee | last=Jeffrey}}

Some versions feature a new title, "Archangel", for the player to earn that substitutes the rank of Commander. Archangel is reached by undertaking a special mission to destroy a space station in a system invaded by the Thargoids. The player's reward for completing the mission is to receive the title Archangel and obtain a device that is capable of emulating anti-ECM broadcast.

Versions for 32X and Sega Mega Drive were in development but cancelled due to Sony backing out of the project and lack of publisher.{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:SegaMagazine_UK_18.pdf&page=13|title=News: Elite Update|magazine=Sega Magazine|issue=18|publisher=EMAP|date=June 1995|page=13}} However, a ROM image of the Mega Drive demo was released online by co-designer Ian Bell.{{cite web|last=Bell|first=Ian|author-link=Ian Bell (programmer)|url=http://www.elitehomepage.org/demos/index.htm|title=Unpublished Elite Demos|work=The Elite Home Page|publisher=Ian C G Bell's Home Page|access-date=2020-12-05}}

{{Video game reviews

| rev1 = Amstrad Action

| rev1Score = CPC: 94%{{Citation | title = Elite - Review | newspaper = Amstrad Action | date = February 1986 | issue=5 | pages=50–51 | publisher=Future plc | url=https://archive.org/stream/amstrad-action-005/Amstrad_Action_005#page/n49/mode/2up}}

| Amtix = CPC: 94%{{Citation | title = Elite - Review | newspaper = Amtix! Magazine | date = February 1986 | issue=4 | pages=32–33 | publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd | url=https://archive.org/stream/amtix-magazine-04/Amtix_04_Feb_1986#page/n31/mode/2up}}

| rev2 = BEEBUG

| rev2Score = BBC: {{Rating|5|5}}{{Citation | last = Fell | first = David | title = Elite - An Outstanding New Game from Acornsoft | newspaper = BEEBUG Magazine | date = November 1984 | url = http://home.clara.net/iancgbell/elite/archive/a4110020.htm | volume=3 | issue=6 | page=7}}

| CVG = C64: 36/40{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-047/CVG047_Sep_1985#page/n21/mode/1up | journal=C+VG | title = Elite - C64 Review | date=September 1985 | issue=47 | pages=22 | publisher=Future Publishing }}

ZX: 37/40{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-050/CVG050_Dec_1985#page/n32/mode/1up | journal=C+VG | title = Elite - Spectrum Review | date=December 1985 | issue=50 | pages=33 | publisher=Future Publishing }}

Atari ST: 82%{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-085/CVG085_Nov_1988#page/n35/mode/2up | journal=C+VG | title = Elite - Atari ST Review | date=November 1988 | issue=85 | pages=36–39 | publisher=Future Publishing }}

| CRASH = ZX:92%{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-22/Crash_22_Nov_1985#page/n27/mode/1up |title=Elite - Review |publisher=Newsfield Publications |journal=Crash | date= November 1985 | issue=22 | page=28&30}}

| SUser = ZX:{{Rating|5|5}}{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-044/SinclairUser_044_Nov_1985#page/n22/mode/1up |title=Elite - Review |publisher=EMAP| journal=Sinclair User | date= November 1985 | issue=44 | page=26}}

| YSinclair = ZX:9/10{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-35/YourSinclair_35_Nov_1988#page/n74/mode/1up |title=Supreme Challenge |publisher=Future plc|journal=Your Sinclair | date= November 1988 | issue=35 | page=83}}

| rev3 = Personal Computer Games

| rev3Score = BBC: 9/10{{citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/personalcomputergames-magazine-12/PersonalComputerGames_12#page/n43/mode/2up | title=Join the new Elite | journal=Personal Computer Games | date=November 1984 | issue=12 | pages=44–45 }}

| rev4 = Zzap!64

| rev4Score = C64: 97%{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-001/ZZap_64_Issue_001_1985_May#page/n15/mode/2up | journal=Zzap!64 | publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd | title = Elite - Review | date=May 1985 | issue=1 | pages=16–17 }}

Amiga: 98%{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-046/ZZap_64_Issue_046_1989_Feb#page/n62/mode/1up | journal=Zzap!64 | publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd | title = Elite - Review | date=February 1989 | issue=46 | pages=63–65 }}

| MG =85/100 (Amiga)

| award1Pub = Golden Joystick Award

| award1 = "Best Original Game" (1984){{cite journal|title=C&VG's Golden Joystick Awards|journal=Computer and Video Games|date=June 1985|issue=44|url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=C+VG/Issue044/Pages/CVG04400122.jpg|access-date=13 January 2012|page=122|publisher=Future Publishing}}

| award2Pub = Crash

| award2 = Readers' Awards "Best Game Overall" (1985)

| award3Pub = Computer Gamer

| award3 = "Game of the Year", "Best Arcade Game" (1985)

| award4Pub = Next Generation Magazine

| award4 = #1 "best game of the 1980s" (2008)

| award5Pub = IGN

| award5 = #12 "Top 25 PC Games of All Time" (2000)

| award6Pub = Retro Gamer

| award6 = #1 "Top 100 Retro Game" (2004)

| award7Pub = Times Online

| award7 = #3 most influential video game ever. (2007)

| award8Pub = Stuff

| award8 = #6 "100 Greatest Games" (2008)

| award9Pub = Telespiele trade show

| award9 = One of the 16 most influential games in history. (2007){{cite web | last = Carless | first = Simon | title = Telespiele 1972–2007 Picks Most Influential Games | publisher = GameSetWatch | date = 26 August 2007 | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/08/telespiele_19722007_picks_most.php | access-date = 20 June 2008}}

}}

Elite received very positive reviews on its launch and the BBC Micro version eventually sold 107,898 copies.{{cite web | title=Elite page, with sales figures from Acornsoft | date = 12 February 2014 | url=http://wouter.bbcmicro.net/bbc/elite.html }} The game's popularity became a national phenomenon in the UK, with reports airing on Channel 4 and elsewhere. Elite was Firebird's best-selling Commodore game as of late 1987.{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/stream/1987-12-computegazette/Compute_Gazette_Issue_54_1987_Dec#page/n17/mode/2up | title=The Commodore Games That Live On And On | work=Compute's Gazette | date=December 1987 | access-date=24 January 2015 |last=Ferrell | first=Keith | pages=18–22}} Bell estimates that approximately 600,000 copies were eventually sold for all platforms combined,{{cite magazine | title = The Making Of: Elite | magazine = Edge | date = 22 May 2009 | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/features/making-elite | access-date = 27 December 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426182923/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-elite | archive-date=26 April 2012 }} while Frontier Developments' Elite page states that the numbers are around a million units.

Elite{{'}}s technical breakthroughs reportedly amazed the BBC Micro's developers, with Sophie Wilson calling it "the game that couldn't have been written". However, many players found gameplay difficult and unfamiliar; the game was so controversial that The Micro User devoted its April 1985 letter column to readers debating it.{{cite journal | url=http://gamestudies.org/1302/articles/agazzard | title=The Platform and the Player: exploring the (hi)stories of Elite | last=Gazzard | first=Alison | journal=Game Studies |date=December 2013 | volume=13 | issue=2 | issn=1604-7982 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330221153/http://gamestudies.org/1302/articles/agazzard | archive-date=30 March 2014 }}

In his review of the game for Beebug Magazine in 1984, David Fell called Elite "the best game ever" for the BBC Micro. In Personal Computer Games Shingo Sugiura said "Elite is vast, complex and very, very absorbing. I've got bulging, red eyeballs from staying up into the early hours but I don't care. I'm going to continue playing until I am ranked Elite ... or at least Competent ... or even Average ... Buy it!". John Cook wrote in the December 1984 issue of Micro Adventurer "A masterpiece such as this is difficult to describe within existing parameters" and "By any standards, Elite is an excellent game, certainly in the Top Three this year. By BBC standards, it is simply the best game that has ever been written for the machine".{{citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n19/mode/2up | title=Trader to the stars | journal=Micro Adventurer | date=December 1984 | issue=14 | pages=20–22 }} Crash magazine said about the Spectrum version "Elite is one of the most imaginative ever to be designed to run on a home computer" and gave it a score of 92%, while at the same time it was a best-seller in the Gallup charts.{{ citation | url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-052/CVG052_Feb_1986#page/n63/mode/1up | journal=C+VG | title = Elite - Review | date=December 1985 | issue=52 | pages=64 | publisher=Future Publishing }} The game was number 16 in the Your Sinclair "Top 100 Speccy Games" in 1992,{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-73/YourSinclair_73_Jan_1992#page/n33/mode/2up | title=Top 100 Speccy Games | publisher=Future plc | journal=Your Sinclair | date= January 1992 | issue=73 | pages=34–36 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317225756/https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-73/YourSinclair_73_Jan_1992#page/n33/mode/2up | archive-date=17 March 2016 }} [http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100_4.htm Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060816053829/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100_4.htm |date=16 August 2006 }} was voted number 7 in the Your Sinclair "Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time" in 1993{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-93/YourSinclair_93_Sep_1993#page/n57/mode/1up |title=Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time |publisher=Future plc|journal=Your Sinclair | date= September 1993 | issue=93 | page=11}} and was voted the 9th best game of all time by the readers of Retro Gamer Magazine for an article that was scheduled to be in a special Your Sinclair tribute issue.{{cite web |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/50bestspeccygames94.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713193533/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/50bestspeccygames94.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2009 |title=The 50 Best Speccy Games Ever! |publisher=ysrnry.co.uk |date=November 2004 |df=dmy-all }} Similarly Zzap!64 gave the Commodore 64 version 97%, stating that it was "a brilliant game of blasting and trading and is certainly the best game I've seen this year" in 1985 and the Amiga version 98% in 1989.

In 1984, Elite received the Golden Joystick Award for "Best Original Game". In 1985 the game was awarded the "Best Game Overall" for that year by readers of Crash magazine,{{citation |url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-27/Crash_27_Apr_1986#page/n89/mode/2up |title=The CRASH 1985 Readers Awards |publisher=Newsfield Publications |journal=Crash | date=April 1986 | issue=27 | page=66}} and "Game of the Year" by Computer Gamer.{{Cite journal| title = Game of the Year Award |journal=Computer Gamer|date=February 1986| publisher = Argus Press | url = https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Gamer_Issue_11_1986-02_Argus_Press_GB#page/n12/mode/1up | issue=11 | page=13}} In a 1992 survey of science fiction games, Computer Gaming World gave the title two of five stars, stating that its "popularity was largely a result of being one of the first space games with a 'large' universe to explore". The magazine gave Elite Plus two-plus stars, describing it as "More detailed and complex, it is also more tedious than the original".{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=100 | title=Strategy & Wargames: The Future (2000-....) | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=November 1992 | access-date=4 July 2014 | last=Brooks | first=M. Evan | issue=100 | page=99 | publisher = Ziff Davis}} A 1994 survey of strategic space games set in the year 2000 and later gave Elite and Elite Plus three stars and two-plus stars, respectively.{{Cite magazine

|last=Brooks

|first=M. Evan

|date=May 1994

|title=Never Trust A Gazfluvian Flingschnogger!

|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118

|magazine=Computer Gaming World

|pages=42–58}}

In 1993, Commodore Force ranked the game at number four on its list of the top 100 Commodore 64 games.{{cite web|title=Top Ton!|url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-101/ZZap_64_Issue_101_Commodore_Force_Issue_11_1993_Autumn#page/n32/mode/1up/|website=Commodore Force|date=Autumn 1993|accessdate=2017-09-03|page=33}} It was ranked #14 top game of all time by Next Generation in 1996,Next Generation 21 (September 1996), p.66. #12 on IGN's 2000 "Top 25 PC Games of All Time" list,{{cite web | title = The Top 25 PC Games of All Time | website = IGN | date = 24 July 2000 | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/082/082486p1.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020421073805/http://pc.ign.com/articles/082/082486p1.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 April 2002 | access-date = 20 June 2008}} the #3 most influential video game ever by the Times Online in 2007,{{cite news | last = Moran | first = Michael | title = The ten most influential video games ever | newspaper = Times Online | date = 20 September 2007 | url = http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/gadgets_and_gaming/article2455080.ece | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091015223004/http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/gadgets_and_gaming/article2455080.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 15 October 2009 | access-date = 20 June 2008 | location=London}} #6 "Greatest Game" by Stuff magazine in 2008,{{Citation | title = 100 Greatest Games | newspaper = Stuff | pages = 116–126 | date = October 2008 | url = http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Batthink/stuff-magazine-s-100-greatest-games-scans--103398.phtml }} #1 "Top Retro Game" by Retro Gamer in 2004,{{Citation | title = Top 100 Retro Games | journal = Retro Gamer | issue=9 | pages=49–63 | date = October 2004 | publisher=Live Publishing}} and #1 "best game of the 1980s" by Next Generation in 2008. In 1996, GamesMaster ranked Elite 11th on their "Top 100 Games of All Time."{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=77 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211224737/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live }} The game was retrospectively awarded 10/10 by the multi-format magazine Edge—together with only 2 other games{{citation needed|date=November 2009}}— and is being exhibited at such places as the London Science Museum in the "Game On" exhibition organised and toured by the Barbican Art Gallery.{{Citation | last = Barnett | first = Jane | title = Game On in London! | date = 24 October 2006 | access-date = 4 December 2009 | url = http://www.igda.org/node/1024495 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100706172109/http://www.igda.org/node/1024495 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 6 July 2010 }} Elite is also featured in Game On! From Pong to Oblivion: The 50 Greatest Video Games of All Time by authors Simon Byron, Ste Curran and David McCarthy.{{citation | last = Howson | first = Greg | title = The 50 Greatest Games Of All Time | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2006/oct/26/the50greatest | journal=The Guardian | location=London | date = 26 October 2006 | access-date = 4 December 2009 | isbn=0755315707}}

In 1991, PC Format placed Elite Plus on its list of the 50 best computer games of all time. The editors called it "a classic game that mixes solid 3D space combat with trading to create a universe in which you can spend many a happy half-hour bushwhacking the dastardly Thargoids."{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=PC Format | title=The 50 best games EVER! |date=October 1991 | issue=1 | pages=109–111 }}

Elite has often been regarded as defining the genre for space trading games. Since its release Elite has been credited as being the title that defined the modern space flight simulation genre, a significant source of inspiration for later games in the genre{{cite web | last = Eberle | first = Matt | title = Star Sonata Review | publisher = GameZone | date = 17 November 2004 | url = http://pc.gamezone.com/reviews/star_sonata_pc_review | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120403015039/http://pc.gamezone.com/reviews/star_sonata_pc_review | archive-date = 3 April 2012 | access-date = 18 June 2008}}{{cite web | last = Gillen | first = Kieron | title = Darkstar One Review | website = Eurogamer | date = 17 July 2006 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_darkstarone_pc | access-date = 19 June 2008}}{{cite web | last = Vandervell | first = Andrew | title = DarkStar One Review for PC | publisher = VideoGamer.com | date = 16 August 2006 | url = http://www.videogamer.com/pc/darkstar_one/review.html | access-date = 19 June 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720062324/http://www.videogamer.com/pc/darkstar_one/review.html | archive-date = 20 July 2011 | url-status = dead }} as well as being influential upon gaming as a whole.{{cite web | last = Williams | first = Bryn | title = GameSpy.com - Hall of Fame: Elite | publisher = GameSpy | date = September 2000 | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/halloffame/september00/elite/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080211093746/http://archive.gamespy.com/halloffame/september00/elite/ | archive-date = 11 February 2008 | access-date = 20 June 2008}}{{cite journal|title=75 Power Players|journal=Next Generation|issue=11|publisher=Imagine Media|date=November 1995|page=50|quote=It was one of the very first games to feature 3D graphics, but more importantly it challenged the definition of what a computer game was.}} In interviews, senior producers of CCP Games have cited Elite as one of the inspirations for their acclaimed MMORPG, EVE Online.{{cite web | last1 = Jonric | title = EVE Interview | publisher = RPGVault | date = 1 August 2000 | url = http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/interviews/eve.shtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131107173136/http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/interviews/eve.shtml | archive-date = 7 November 2013 | url-status = dead | access-date = 19 June 2008}}{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2411/interview_evolution_and_risk_ccp_.php | title=Evolution and Risk: CCP on the Freedoms of EVE Online | website=Gamasutra | access-date=5 August 2007}}{{cite magazine | title = The Making of EVE Online | magazine = PC Gamer | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/01/24/the-making-of-eve-online/ | access-date = 24 January 2011}} The developers of Jumpgate Evolution,{{cite web | last = Hartmeyer | first = Steve | title = Dev Diary: The Inspirations Behind Jumpgate Evolution | publisher = The MMO Gamer | date = 13 February 2008 | url = http://www.mmogamer.com/02/13/2008/dev-diary-the-inspirations-behind-jumpgate-evolution | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080404005634/http://www.mmogamer.com/02/13/2008/dev-diary-the-inspirations-behind-jumpgate-evolution | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 April 2008 | access-date = 20 June 2008 | df = dmy-all }} Battlecruiser 3000AD,{{cite web | last = Bergman | first = Jason | title = Serious Brass Ones (A peek inside the world of Derek Smart) | publisher = looneygames | url = http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/feat/ | access-date = 20 June 2008}} Infinity: The Quest for Earth,{{cite web | last = Johnson | first = Joe | title = Infinity: Quest for the Earth | publisher = ModDB | date = 9 February 2006 | url = http://www.moddb.com/features/23760/infinity-quest-for-the-earth | access-date = 20 June 2008}}

Space Rangers, Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars{{cite web | title = Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars interview | publisher = Duck and Cover | date = 25 April 2005 | url = http://www.duckandcover.cx/content.php?id=79 | access-date = 20 June 2008}} and Flatspace{{cite web | last = Carroll | first = Russell | title = Chat with Cornutopia about FLATSPACE by Game Tunnel | publisher = Game Tunnel | date = 27 October 2003 | url = http://www.gametunnel.com/chat-with-cornutopia-about-flatspace-article.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101008173042/http://www.gametunnel.com/chat-with-cornutopia-about-flatspace-article.php | archive-date = 8 October 2010 | access-date = 20 June 2008}} have likewise all credited Elite as a source of inspiration. Similar praise has been bestowed elsewhere in the media over the years.{{cite web | title = The hot 100 game developers of 2007 | publisher = Edge | date = 3 March 2007 | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/features/hot-100-game-developers-2007 | access-date = 20 June 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820032431/http://www.edge-online.com/features/hot-100-game-developers-2007 | archive-date=20 August 2012 | quote = David Braben is one of the old-time legends of British computer gaming – along with Ian Bell, he co-wrote the space simulator Elite, a hugely influential game often earmarked as one of the best ever made.}}{{cite web | author = Asterick | title = Presented in Retrovision: Elite | publisher = Gay Gamer | date = 29 May 2008 | url = http://gaygamer.net/2008/05/presented_in_retrovision_elite.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101031175208/http://gaygamer.net/2008/05/presented_in_retrovision_elite.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 31 October 2010 | access-date = 20 June 2008 | quote = Elite is still one of the most influential games to date, having inspired EVE Online, Freespace, Jumpgate, Homeworld and a handful of other space titles. | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web | last = Barrat | first = Andy | title = Racing Into The Future | publisher = G4techTV Canada | date = 30 January 2008 | url = http://www.g4techtv.ca/technews/AB/AB_20080130_racingintothefuture.shtml | access-date = 20 June 2008 | quote = But [the BBC Micros] weren't just for learning on, a handful of games were actually released for the Beeb—two of the most influential games ever in fact f– one of which was Revs. (...) The other super influential game [besides Revs] by the way, was Elite. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080420084331/http://www.g4techtv.ca/technews/AB/AB_20080130_racingintothefuture.shtml | archive-date = 20 April 2008 | url-status = dead }}{{Citation | last = Karlsson | first = Peter | title = Classic Commodore games on the web | newspaper = Commodore World | year = 2000 | issue = 8 | url = http://www.softwolves.pp.se/cbm/artiklar/gameweb | quote = In 1984, Ian Bell was the one of the authors of a game that by many still is regarded as the best game ever written, Elite (the other author was David Braben).}}

It has been named as one of the most influential games in history, and has been credited as being the first truly open-ended{{cite web | last = Whitehead | first = Dan | title = Born Free: the History of the Openworld Game | website = Eurogamer | date = 4 February 2008 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/born-free-the-history-of-the-openworld-game-article | access-date = 20 June 2008}} open world game{{cite magazine | title = The complete history of open-world games | magazine = Computer and Video Games | date = 24 May 2008 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/189591/features/the-complete-history-of-open-world-games-part-1/ | access-date = 20 June 2008}} and opening the door for future online persistent worlds such as Second Life, World of Warcraft and EVE Online. Elite is one of the most popularly requested games to be remade,{{cite web | last = Fahey | first = Rob | title = X2: The Threat Review | website = Eurogamer | date = 6 February 2004 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_x2thethreat_pc | access-date = 20 June 2008}} with some arguing that it is still the best example of the genre to date, with more recent titles—including its immediate sequel—not rising up to the same level.{{cite web| url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368| title = Games that changed the world: Elite | work = Computer & Video Games | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211011328/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 | archive-date=11 February 2007}}{{cite web | last = Fahey | first = Rob | title = X2 - The Threat preview | website = Eurogamer | date = 30 September 2003 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/p_x2_pc | access-date = 19 June 2008}}

In November 1999, on the game's 15th birthday, Ian Bell released many binaries and source code of several versions of the original game on his website.[http://www.sslmit.unibo.it/zat/frontier.htm Ian Bell's Elite pages - November 1999 : Elite 15th Anniversary - Released the program sources]{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001118113900/http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/clara.net/i/a/n/iancgbell/webspace/elite/archive/index.htm |archive-date=18 November 2000 |url=http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/clara.net/i/a/n/iancgbell/webspace/elite/archive/index.htm |title=Elite Archives ----The Files---- |last=Bell |first=Ian |work=iancgbell.clara.net |date=1 November 1999 |access-date=6 November 2015}} A dispute arose between Bell and David Braben regarding Bell's decision to make available all versions of the original Elite.[http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/cix/index.htm David Braben's Legal Threats to the Elite Home Page] on Ian Bell's webpage (updated 19/09/14) The dispute has since ended and the various versions became available again on Bell's site.{{cite web | title=Bell and Braben See Eye-to-eye as Original Elite Sees Dual Re-release | date = 25 September 2014 | publisher=cabume.co.uk | url=http://www.cabume.co.uk/software/bell-and-braben-see-eye-to-eye-as-classic-eighties-video-game-elite-sees-dual-re-release.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413091114/http://www.cabume.co.uk/software/bell-and-braben-see-eye-to-eye-as-classic-eighties-video-game-elite-sees-dual-re-release.html |archive-date=13 April 2015}}

In the late 1980s a variant of the commercial BBC Micro Elite release was created by Angus Duggan by disassembling and modifying the 6502 code from the existing with many extra features, originally titled Elite III but now known as Elite A to minimise confusion. It includes many more ship types, more ship types flyable by the player (who begins in the less capable Adder), cargo delivery missions, some extra equipment items and numerous gameplay improvements. Elite A was released publicly in 1997.{{cite web | title=Elite-A - an extended version of Elite for the BBC Microcomputer | url=http://knackered.petestack.com/beeb/elite.html | access-date=23 January 2015 | archive-date=5 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305152009/http://knackered.petestack.com/beeb/elite.html | url-status=dead }} Like the original game, it can be downloaded free from Ian Bell's web site and played under emulation.

Many attempts to develop clones of Elite have been made, but most have been abandoned before completion or have otherwise failed to come to fruition. The open source Oolite is a notable exception. Another successful adaptation is 1337 (meaning "Elite" in Leetspeak){{Cite web |url=http://1337.defence-force.org/ |title=1337 |access-date=21 August 2014 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422015054/http://1337.defence-force.org/ |url-status=dead }} developed by Jose Maria Enguita for the Oric machines, that won the 2010 Oldschool Gaming Game Of The Year Award.[http://oldschool-gaming.com/view_article.php?art=2010_review 2010 Oldschool Gaming Game Of The Year Award] Contrasting with these conversions, around 1999 Christian Pinder developed Elite: The New Kind as a modern PC port of the original BBC Micro version. He achieved a faithful port by reverse-engineering the original assembly written BBC Micro version and recreating a platform neutral C code variant from it,[https://web.archive.org/web/20001018224824/http://www.newkind.co.uk/elite.html Elite - The New Kind - The reverse engineered source code to Elite] by Christian Pinder (archived October 2000) but at David Braben's request this version was withdrawn from distribution in 2003.{{cite web | url=http://www.christianpinder.com/games/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809170839/http://www.christianpinder.com/games/ | archive-date=9 August 2008 | title=NewKind | publisher=Christian Pinder | access-date=9 August 2008}} In September 2014, on Elite{{'}}s 30th birthday, Ian Bell blessed Elite: The New Kind and re-released it for free on his website.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2014/09/17/classic-elite-free-pc-download/|title=Classic space sim Elite goes free this weekend|first=Matt |last=Martin |date=17 September 2014 |access-date=6 November 2015 |quote=A superior remake of the original space trading game Elite will be released for free this weekend, 30 years after the original game launched |publisher=vg247}}{{cite web|url=http://www.elitehomepage.org/thirty/index.htm |title=Elite 30th Anniversary |quote=Today, 20th September 2014 is the 30th anniversary of the day the world first experienced Elite, the 3D space trading and combat game written by Ian Bell and David Braben in conjunction with Acornsoft. From that beginning on the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron, the game went on to be released for most home computers of the time. Celebrate by playing Elite again, for free. Thanks to Matt Goldbolt. the original BBC Micro version now runs direct in the Google Chrome browser if you click here. Or for Windows PCs, download Christian Pinder's Elite: The New Kind by clicking here. |publisher=elitehomepage.org |first=Ian |last=Bell |date=20 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902054507/http://www.elitehomepage.org/thirty/index.htm |archive-date=2 September 2015 }} Since then, Elite: The New Kind is also distributed again in version 1.1 by Christian Pinder;[https://www.christianpinder.com/games/ Elite – The New Kind] on christianpinder.com a source code mirror is hosted on GitHub.[https://github.com/fesh0r/newkind newkind] on github.com

In 2020, Christian Pinder also released an upscaled Windows port of the Acorn Archimedes' Elite.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLZp_yAb9rA Archimedes Elite (ArcElite) for Windows] on youtube.com[http://www.new-kind.com/arcelite/ ArcElite for Windows]

On 20 October 2013, the Internet Archive started to offer Elite in the ZX Spectrum version for online playing in the browser via MESS emulation.[https://archive.org/details/Elite_1985_Firebird_Software_ZX_Spectrum Elite (1985)(Firebird Software) (ZX Spectrum)] on archive.org "In Collection: Historical Software Collection, Uploaded by Jason Scott on 10/20/2013"

• History of video games
• Cosmonautica
• Escape Velocity Nova
• Starflight

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/oct/18/features.weekend Masters of their universe] - an excerpt on Guardian.co.uk from Backroom Boys: The Secret Return Of The British Boffin, by Francis Spufford, {{ISBN|9780571214969}} (18 October 2003).
• Gamasutra's [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3983/the_history_of_elite_space_the_.php The History of Elite: Space, The Endless Frontier] by Bill Loguidice and Matt Barton (7 April 2009).
• GDC 2011 presentation [http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1014628/Classic-Game-Postmortem Postmortem of Elite] by David Braben (2011)

• [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/ The Elite Home Page] by Ian Bell
• [https://www.bbcelite.com/ Fully documented source code on the BBC Micro]
• {{Internet Archive game|id=msdos_Elite_1987|platform=DOS}}
• [https://www.mobygames.com/game/elite Elite] at MobyGames
• [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0001601 Elite] at World of Spectrum
• {{WoS game|id=0001601|name=Elite}}
• {{abime|id=2834}}

{{Elite}}

{{Acornsoft}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elite (Video Game)}}

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Category:Elite (video game series)

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