Elite: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Elite-1984-Official-Art-Restored.png|thumb|250px|Elite 1984 official art]]

'''Elite''' is a space trading and combat simulator, originally published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in September 1984.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100127094607/http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite Frontier: Games by Frontier Developments/Elite], archived from [http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite the original] on 27 January 2010 at archive.org</ref> It is the first installment of the legendary [[Elite series]]. Elite is the longest running space simulation series in history. This is verified by Guinness World Records.<ref name=":0">[https://twitter.com/gwr/status/611537566299463681?lang=en Twitter: Guinness World Records, 18 Jun 2015]</ref>

'''Elite''' is a space trading and combat simulator, originally published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in September 1984.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100127094607/http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite Frontier: Games by Frontier Developments/Elite], archived from [http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite the original] on 27 January 2010 at archive.org</ref> It is the first installment of the legendary [[Elite series]]. Elite is the longest running space simulation series in history. This is verified by Guinness World Records.<ref name=":0">[https://twitter.com/gwr/status/611537566299463681?lang=en Twitter: Guinness World Records, 18 Jun 2015]</ref> The sequel [[Frontier: Elite II]] was released in 1993.

== Background ==

The game's title derives from one of the player's goals of raising their [[Pilots Federation#Ranks|combat rating]] to the exalted heights of "Elite". It was written and developed in two years by [[David Braben]] and [[Ian Bell]], who met while they were both undergraduates at Jesus College, Cambridge. Versions of the game for other platforms were published by Firebird, Imagineer and Hybrid Technology.

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== Gameplay ==

[[File:~~The_Original_Elite%2C_1984~~.jpg|thumb|200px|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell]]

[[File:Elite 1984 Original.jpg|thumb|200px|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell]]

The player starts at [[Lave/Lave Station|Lave Station]] with a [[Cobra MkIII]] in the first half of the 32nd century. The default pilot name is Commander Jameson whom the station [[Shinrarta Dezhra/Jameson Memorial|Jameson Memorial]] is named after in [[Elite Dangerous]].

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File:~~Acornsoft_Elite_~~-~~_Promo_Video_1984_~~-~~_VHS~~

File:Acornsoft Elite - Promo Video 1984 - VHS

File:~~Elite_~~-~~_30th_Anniversary~~

File:Elite - 30th Anniversary

File:~~Docking_in_Elite~~

File:Docking in Elite

File:Elite (1984) and Elite- Dangerous (2014) - The docking comparison

File:Let's journey into deep space with Elite! C64 Longplay - Part 1

File:ELITE! 🛸 Part 2 - Commodore 64 Longplay

</gallery>

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Rich Moss of Ars Technica said, ''"Elite changed everything. It was the home computer game to have in the mid-1980s—an open-ended spacefaring romp through eight 256-planet galaxies, which were fixed in their composition but cleverly generated on the fly by an algorithm in order to save on storage space. Its abstract 3D wireframe planets and spacecraft provided just enough detail to instill the appropriate sense of scale, with the rest left to your imagination."''<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/youre-now-free-to-move-about-vice-city-a-history-of-open-world-gaming/ Ars Technica: Roam free: A history of open-world gaming]</ref>

File:Commander Jameson in Elite 1 NES.jpg|Commander Jameson in Elite 1, NES version

File:CMDR Jameson Cobra Mk III in Elite 1 NES.jpg|Cobra Mk III in Elite 1, NES version

</gallery>

== Music ==

The original Elite theme was composed by Aidan Bell and arranged by Chris Abbott. It also features The Blue Danube by Johan Strauss II which played during automated docking with the [[Standard Docking Computer|docking computer]].

The original Elite theme was composed by Aidan Bell and arranged by Chris Abbott. It also features The Blue Danube by Johan Strauss II which played during automated docking with the [[Standard Docking Computer|docking computer]]. Aidan Bell made the song "I Am Elite". It's from Elite The Musical, in 1989.

C64_elite_music

Elite_-_Blue_Danube_Waltz

I Am Elite

</gallery>

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~~Brits_Who_Made_The_Modern_World_~~-~~_The_Making_of_Elite~~

File:Brits Who Made The Modern World - The Making of Elite

~~David_Braben_on_the_Making_of_Elite_From_Bedrooms_to_Billions_Funstock~~.co.uk

File:David Braben on the Making of Elite From Bedrooms to Billions Funstock.co.uk

File:Elite- "The game that couldn't be written"

File:Original Elite on the BBC B - Computerphile

</gallery>

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[[File:Elite-Game-1988-Atari-ST-port.png|thumb|200px|Elite 1988 Atari ST port]]

Due to the great commercial success of the BBC Micro version, Elite was ported to every contemporary home computer system, including Acorn Electron, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Tatung Einstein and IBM PC compatibles. ~~IBM~~ PC ~~DOS got the second~~ enhanced version called Elite Plus. It was also ported to Nintendo Entertainment System home video game console. British Telecom's computer software division Telecomsoft won a bidding war for the rights to publish Elite on other platforms.<ref name=":3" /><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n6/mode/1up Elite Auction]" news, Micro Adventurer (14): 7 December 1984, through archive.org</ref><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-092/Home_Computing_Weekly_092#page/n4/mode/1up Elite for Spectrum]" news, Home Computing Weekly. Argus Press (92): 5. 11 December 1984, through archive.org</ref>

Due to the great commercial success of the BBC Micro version, Elite was ported to every contemporary home computer system, including Acorn Electron, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Tatung Einstein and IBM PC compatibles.

=== Elite Plus ===

Elite was converted to DOS (IMB PC) by Chris Sawyer. This enhanced version called Elite Plus was published by Microplay Software on April 17, 1991. It was also ported to Nintendo Entertainment System home video game console. British Telecom's computer software division Telecomsoft won a bidding war for the rights to publish Elite on other platforms.<ref name=":3" /><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n6/mode/1up Elite Auction]" news, Micro Adventurer (14): 7 December 1984, through archive.org</ref><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-092/Home_Computing_Weekly_092#page/n4/mode/1up Elite for Spectrum]" news, Home Computing Weekly. Argus Press (92): 5. 11 December 1984, through archive.org</ref>

Elite Plus (PC-DOS) 1991, Microplay Software "VGA-256 Color"

</gallery>

== BBC Micro Package ==

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[[File:Original-Elite-Logo-1984.png|thumb|200px|A scan of the Pilots Federation logo from the original Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, which was issued with the 1984 version of Elite as issued for the BBC Microcomputer 32K]]

The [[Elite logo]] is a combination of Pilots wings~~, the~~ Elite text and a stylized Griffin which was ~~added~~ by artist Philip Castle. He also worked on the Cobra and Coriolis cover for the original Elite.

The [[Elite logo]] is a combination of Pilots wings. The Elite text and a stylized Griffin which was created by artist Philip Castle.<ref>[http://www.elitehomepage.org/archive/a4120001.png "Elite-the game everyone's playing"]. ''Elite Homepage'' (Newspaper article). Acorn News. December 1984. [https://web.archive.org/web/20260213082954/http://www.elitehomepage.org/archive/a4120001.png Archived] from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.</ref> He also worked on the Cobra and Coriolis cover for the original Elite.

David Braben said, ''"The Elite logo took a while to get right. The inspiration was a mix of pilot's wings and logo. The Griffin thing was Philip Castle's idea."''<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/ reddit: I am David Braben, co-creator of Elite, creator of Frontier, Frontier II and the upcoming Elite: Dangerous]</ref>

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Some gaming conventions and museums have a retro-gaming area with Elite. Such as PAX AUS in Melbourne had David Braben’s own BBC microcomputer, signed by him, on display in a glass cabinet. It's presumably the same machine purchased to work on the original Acornsoft game all those years ago. There was also a signed copy of BBC Elite in its original box.<ref>[http://suprmasv.czausov.com/happy-birthday-mr-braben/ Jameson/Jones:Supermassive: Happy birthday, Mr Braben]</ref>

== Elite 30th ~~Anniversary~~ ==

== Elite 30th anniversary ==

[[File:Elite-30-Years-on-the-Frontier.png|thumb|200px|Elite - 30 Years on the Frontier]]

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</gallery>

== Trivia ==

== Elite 40th anniversary ==

* The original Elite was one of the first video games to use 3D vector shapes, and it used less memory than a single email does today.<ref>https://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png</ref>

[[File:Cobra Mk III Elite Ruby Anniversary Decal Paintjob.jpg|thumb|200px|Elite Ruby Anniversary Decal Paintjob]]

* Most of the ships were named after snakes. This came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads.

* Frontier Developments offers ~~this game~~ for free on the [https://www.frontierstore.net Official Store] ~~site~~ for PC and Mac.

[https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/celebrate-elites-ruby-anniversary Elite became 40 years old] on 20 September 2024.<ref name=":4">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/celebrate-elites-ruby-anniversary Celebrate Elite's Ruby Anniversary - 19 September 2024 - www.elitedangerous.com]</ref> The original Elite is available for [https://www.frontierstore.net/elite1984.html free in the Frontier Store]. Every Elite Dangerous Live player can get the exclusive Ruby anniversary decal for free!<ref name=":4" /> Head to the Elite Dangerous Gamestore to claim it for 0 ARX!<ref name=":4" /> There are also limited Ruby anniversary paintjobs and the Ruby Dodec Station Bobblehead which cost [[ARX]]. The Anniversary cosmetics are available until 21st October 2024.<ref name=":4" />

* The song [https://youtu.be/w9gOQgfPW4Y M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume] has a map of the original Elite at 2:28. This is 4AD's first UK number one single from 1987.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gOQgfPW4Y YouTube: M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (Official Video)]</ref>

File:Retro Playback - ELITE (1984)

File:FDEV- How One Company Changed the World Forever

File:Python Mk II ruby paintjob.jpg|Python Mk II ruby anniversary paintjob

File:Elite 40th Anniversary Decal 2024.jpg|Elite 40th Anniversary Decal

</gallery>

== Ships==

[[File:Elite 1984 Ship Identification Chart.png|thumb|270px|Elite 1984 Ship Identification Chart]]

These are all the ships that appeared in the original BBC version and other versions of Classic Elite.<ref>Elite Wiki - [https://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Category:Classic_ships Category:Classic ships] (Access date: 20 Feb 2025) </ref> The Cobra Mk III is the only pilotable ship.

<table-progress-tracking table-id="1" unique-column-index="1">

{| class="article-table sortable"

|+

!Ship

!Size

!Type

! Notes

|-

|Adder

|

|-

|Anaconda

|

|-

|Asp

|

|-

|Boa

|

|-

|Bushmaster

|

|-

|Chameleon

|

|-

|Cobra Mk I

|

|-

|Cobra Mk III

|

|-

|Constrictor

|

|-

|Fer-de-Lance

|

|-

|Gecko

|

|-

|Ghavial

|

|-

|Iguana

|

|-

|Krait

|

|-

|Mamba

|

|-

|Monitor

|

|-

|Moray

|

|-

|Ophidian

|

|-

|Python

|

|-

|Salamander

|

|-

|Shuttle

|

|-

|Sidewinder

|

|-

|Thargoid

|

|-

|Transporter

|

|-

|Viper

|

|-

|Worm

|

|}

</table-progress-tracking>

=== Archimedes Elite ===

[[File:Archimedes_Elite_Ship_Chart.jpg|thumb|270px|Archimedes Elite Ship Chart]]

Archimedes Elite for the Acorn Archimedes platform has additional ships:

<table-progress-tracking table-id="2" unique-column-index="1">

{| class="article-table sortable"

|+

!Ship

!Size

!Type

! Notes

|-

|Asp II

|

|-

|Boa II

|

|-

|Caiman

|

|-

|Copperhead

|

|-

|Hognose

|

|-

|Moccasin

|

|-

|Racer

|

|-

|Orbit Shuttle

|

|}

</table-progress-tracking>

==Trivia==

*The original Elite was one of the first video games to use 3D vector shapes, and it used less memory than a single email does today.<ref>https://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png</ref>

*Most of the ships were named after snakes. This came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads.

*Frontier Developments offers Elite (1984) for free on the [https://www.frontierstore.net Official Store] for PC and Mac.

*The song [https://youtu.be/w9gOQgfPW4Y M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume] has a map of the original Elite at 2:28. This is 4AD's first UK number one single from 1987.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gOQgfPW4Y YouTube: M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (Official Video)]</ref>

== Related==

==Related==

* [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/manual.htm Original Elite manual]

*[http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/manual.htm Original Elite manual]

* [[Elite: The Dark Wheel]]

*[[Elite: The Dark Wheel]]

* [[Elite series]]

*[[Elite series]]

* [[Elite logo]]

*[[Elite logo]]

== Gallery ==

==Gallery==

File:Elite-1984-Product-Image.png|Elite 1984 product image

File:Elite-1984-Official-Art-Restored.png|Elite 1984 official art restored

File:Elite.jpg|Elite

File:~~The_Original_Elite,_1984~~.jpg|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell

File:Elite 1984 Original.jpg|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell

File:Elite-BBC-Micro-Package-1984.png|Elite BBC Micro Package 1984

File:David-Braben-Ian-Bell-Elite.png|David Braben and Ian Bell are the creators of Elite in 1984

File:~~Elite_The_Dark_Wheel_Novella~~.jpg|The Dark Wheel, by Robert Holdstock

File:Elite The Dark Wheel Novella.jpg|The Dark Wheel, by Robert Holdstock

File:Elite-Original-Poster-1984.png|Elite orignal poster 1984

File:~~Elite_Badges~~.jpg|Elite Badges for people who reached Elite status

File:Elite Badges.jpg|Elite Badges for people who reached Elite status

File:Original-Elite-Logo-1984.png|A scan of the Pilots Federation logo from the original Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, which was issued with the 1984 version of Elite as issued for the BBC Microcomputer 32K

File:Golden-Elite-Logo.png|Golden Elite Logo

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File:Elite-Game-1988-Atari-ST-port.png|Elite 1988 Atari ST port

File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png

File:Archimedes Elite Ship Chart.jpg|Archimedes Elite Ship Chart

</gallery>

== References ==

==References==

[[Category:Elite series]]

[[ru:Elite]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Elite-1984-Official-Art-Restored.png|thumb|250px|Elite 1984 official art]]
-'''Elite''' is a space trading and combat simulator, originally published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in September 1984.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100127094607/http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite Frontier: Games by Frontier Developments/Elite], archived from [http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite the original] on 27 January 2010 at archive.org</ref> It is the first installment of the legendary [[Elite series]]. Elite is the longest running space simulation series in history. This is verified by Guinness World Records.<ref name=":0">[https://twitter.com/gwr/status/611537566299463681?lang=en Twitter: Guinness World Records, 18 Jun 2015]</ref>
+'''Elite''' is a space trading and combat simulator, originally published by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers in September 1984.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100127094607/http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite Frontier: Games by Frontier Developments/Elite], archived from [http://frontier.co.uk/games/elite the original] on 27 January 2010 at archive.org</ref> It is the first installment of the legendary [[Elite series]]. Elite is the longest running space simulation series in history. This is verified by Guinness World Records.<ref name=":0">[https://twitter.com/gwr/status/611537566299463681?lang=en Twitter: Guinness World Records, 18 Jun 2015]</ref> The sequel [[Frontier: Elite II]] was released in 1993.
+== Background ==
 The game's title derives from one of the player's goals of raising their [[Pilots Federation#Ranks|combat rating]] to the exalted heights of "Elite". It was written and developed in two years by [[David Braben]] and [[Ian Bell]], who met while they were both undergraduates at Jesus College, Cambridge. Versions of the game for other platforms were published by Firebird, Imagineer and Hybrid Technology.
@@ Line 16: / Line 17: @@
 == Gameplay ==
-[[File:The_Original_Elite%2C_1984.jpg|thumb|200px|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell]]
+[[File:Elite 1984 Original.jpg|thumb|200px|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell]]
 The player starts at [[Lave/Lave Station|Lave Station]] with a [[Cobra MkIII]] in the first half of the 32nd century. The default pilot name is Commander Jameson whom the station [[Shinrarta Dezhra/Jameson Memorial|Jameson Memorial]] is named after in [[Elite Dangerous]].
@@ Line 27: / Line 28: @@
 <gallery hideaddbutton="true">
-File:Acornsoft_Elite_-_Promo_Video_1984_-_VHS
+File:Acornsoft Elite - Promo Video 1984 - VHS
-File:Elite_-_30th_Anniversary
+File:Elite - 30th Anniversary
-File:Docking_in_Elite
+File:Docking in Elite
+File:Elite (1984) and Elite- Dangerous (2014) - The docking comparison
+File:Let's journey into deep space with Elite! C64 Longplay - Part 1
+File:ELITE! 🛸 Part 2 - Commodore 64 Longplay
 </gallery>
@@ Line 36: / Line 40: @@
 Rich Moss of Ars Technica said, ''"Elite changed everything. It was the home computer game to have in the mid-1980s—an open-ended spacefaring romp through eight 256-planet galaxies, which were fixed in their composition but cleverly generated on the fly by an algorithm in order to save on storage space. Its abstract 3D wireframe planets and spacecraft provided just enough detail to instill the appropriate sense of scale, with the rest left to your imagination."''<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/03/youre-now-free-to-move-about-vice-city-a-history-of-open-world-gaming/ Ars Technica: Roam free: A history of open-world gaming]</ref>
+<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
+File:Commander Jameson in Elite 1 NES.jpg|Commander Jameson in Elite 1, NES version
+File:CMDR Jameson Cobra Mk III in Elite 1 NES.jpg|Cobra Mk III in Elite 1, NES version
+</gallery>
 == Music ==
-The original Elite theme was composed by Aidan Bell and arranged by Chris Abbott. It also features The Blue Danube by Johan Strauss II which played during automated docking with the [[Standard Docking Computer|docking computer]].
+The original Elite theme was composed by Aidan Bell and arranged by Chris Abbott. It also features The Blue Danube by Johan Strauss II which played during automated docking with the [[Standard Docking Computer|docking computer]]. Aidan Bell made the song "I Am Elite". It's from Elite The Musical, in 1989.
 <gallery hideaddbutton="true">
 C64_elite_music
 Elite_-_Blue_Danube_Waltz
+I Am Elite
 </gallery>
@@ Line 73: / Line 83: @@
 <gallery hideaddbutton="true">
-Brits_Who_Made_The_Modern_World_-_The_Making_of_Elite
+File:Brits Who Made The Modern World - The Making of Elite
-David_Braben_on_the_Making_of_Elite_From_Bedrooms_to_Billions_Funstock.co.uk
+File:David Braben on the Making of Elite From Bedrooms to Billions Funstock.co.uk
+File:Elite- "The game that couldn't be written"
+File:Original Elite on the BBC B - Computerphile
 </gallery>
@@ Line 81: / Line 93: @@
 [[File:Elite-Game-1988-Atari-ST-port.png|thumb|200px|Elite 1988 Atari ST port]]
-Due to the great commercial success of the BBC Micro version, Elite was ported to every contemporary home computer system, including Acorn Electron, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Tatung Einstein and IBM PC compatibles. IBM PC DOS got the second enhanced version called Elite Plus. It was also ported to Nintendo Entertainment System home video game console. British Telecom's computer software division Telecomsoft won a bidding war for the rights to publish Elite on other platforms.<ref name=":3" /><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n6/mode/1up Elite Auction]" news, Micro Adventurer (14): 7 December 1984, through archive.org</ref><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-092/Home_Computing_Weekly_092#page/n4/mode/1up Elite for Spectrum]" news, Home Computing Weekly. Argus Press (92): 5. 11 December 1984, through archive.org</ref>
+Due to the great commercial success of the BBC Micro version, Elite was ported to every contemporary home computer system, including Acorn Electron, Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Tatung Einstein and IBM PC compatibles.
+=== Elite Plus ===
+Elite was converted to DOS (IMB PC) by Chris Sawyer. This enhanced version called Elite Plus was published by Microplay Software on April 17, 1991. It was also ported to Nintendo Entertainment System home video game console. British Telecom's computer software division Telecomsoft won a bidding war for the rights to publish Elite on other platforms.<ref name=":3" /><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/MicroAdventurer14-Dec84#page/n6/mode/1up Elite Auction]" news, Micro Adventurer (14): 7 December 1984, through archive.org</ref><ref>"[https://archive.org/stream/home-computing-weekly-092/Home_Computing_Weekly_092#page/n4/mode/1up Elite for Spectrum]" news, Home Computing Weekly. Argus Press (92): 5. 11 December 1984, through archive.org</ref>
+<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
+Elite Plus (PC-DOS) 1991, Microplay Software "VGA-256 Color"
+</gallery>
 == BBC Micro Package ==
@@ Line 101: / Line 119: @@
 [[File:Original-Elite-Logo-1984.png|thumb|200px|A scan of the Pilots Federation logo from the original Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, which was issued with the 1984 version of Elite as issued for the BBC Microcomputer 32K]]
-The [[Elite logo]] is a combination of Pilots wings, the Elite text and a stylized Griffin which was added by artist Philip Castle. He also worked on the Cobra and Coriolis cover for the original Elite.
+The [[Elite logo]] is a combination of Pilots wings. The Elite text and a stylized Griffin which was created by artist Philip Castle.<ref>[http://www.elitehomepage.org/archive/a4120001.png "Elite-the game everyone's playing"]. ''Elite Homepage'' (Newspaper article). Acorn News. December 1984. [https://web.archive.org/web/20260213082954/http://www.elitehomepage.org/archive/a4120001.png Archived] from the original on 13 February 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.</ref> He also worked on the Cobra and Coriolis cover for the original Elite.
 David Braben said, ''"The Elite logo took a while to get right. The inspiration was a mix of pilot's wings and logo. The Griffin thing was Philip Castle's idea."''<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of/ reddit: I am David Braben, co-creator of Elite, creator of Frontier, Frontier II and the upcoming Elite: Dangerous]</ref>
@@ Line 113: / Line 131: @@
 Some gaming conventions and museums have a retro-gaming area with Elite. Such as PAX AUS in Melbourne had David Braben’s own BBC microcomputer, signed by him, on display in a glass cabinet. It's presumably the same machine purchased to work on the original Acornsoft game all those years ago. There was also a signed copy of BBC Elite in its original box.<ref>[http://suprmasv.czausov.com/happy-birthday-mr-braben/ Jameson/Jones:Supermassive: Happy birthday, Mr Braben]</ref>
-== Elite 30th Anniversary ==
+== Elite 30th anniversary ==
 [[File:Elite-30-Years-on-the-Frontier.png|thumb|200px|Elite - 30 Years on the Frontier]]
@@ Line 125: / Line 143: @@
 </gallery>
-== Trivia ==
+== Elite 40th anniversary ==
-* The original Elite was one of the first video games to use 3D vector shapes, and it used less memory than a single email does today.<ref>https://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png</ref>
+[[File:Cobra Mk III Elite Ruby Anniversary Decal Paintjob.jpg|thumb|200px|Elite Ruby Anniversary Decal Paintjob]]
-* Most of the ships were named after snakes. This came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads.
-* Frontier Developments offers this game for free on the [https://www.frontierstore.net Official Store] site for PC and Mac.
+[https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/celebrate-elites-ruby-anniversary Elite became 40 years old] on 20 September 2024.<ref name=":4">[https://www.elitedangerous.com/news/celebrate-elites-ruby-anniversary Celebrate Elite's Ruby Anniversary - 19 September 2024 - www.elitedangerous.com]</ref> The original Elite is available for [https://www.frontierstore.net/elite1984.html free in the Frontier Store]. Every Elite Dangerous Live player can get the exclusive Ruby anniversary decal for free!<ref name=":4" /> Head to the Elite Dangerous Gamestore to claim it for 0 ARX!<ref name=":4" /> There are also limited Ruby anniversary paintjobs and the Ruby Dodec Station Bobblehead which cost [[ARX]]. The Anniversary cosmetics are available until 21st October 2024.<ref name=":4" />
-* The song [https://youtu.be/w9gOQgfPW4Y M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume]  has a map of the original Elite at 2:28. This is 4AD's first UK number one single from 1987.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gOQgfPW4Y YouTube: M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (Official Video)]</ref>
+<gallery hideaddbutton="true">
+File:Retro Playback - ELITE (1984)
+File:FDEV- How One Company Changed the World Forever
+File:Python Mk II ruby paintjob.jpg|Python Mk II ruby anniversary paintjob
+File:Elite 40th Anniversary Decal 2024.jpg|Elite 40th Anniversary Decal
+</gallery>
+== Ships==
+[[File:Elite 1984 Ship Identification Chart.png|thumb|270px|Elite 1984 Ship Identification Chart]]
+These are all the ships that appeared in the original BBC version and other versions of Classic Elite.<ref>Elite Wiki - [https://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Category:Classic_ships Category:Classic ships] (Access date: 20 Feb 2025) </ref> The Cobra Mk III is the only pilotable ship.
+<table-progress-tracking table-id="1" unique-column-index="1">
+{| class="article-table sortable"
+|+
+!Ship
+!Size
+!Type
+! Notes
+|-
+|Adder
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Anaconda
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Asp
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Boa
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Bushmaster
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Chameleon
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Cobra Mk I
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Cobra Mk III
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Constrictor
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Fer-de-Lance
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Gecko
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Ghavial
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Iguana
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Krait
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Mamba
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Monitor
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Moray
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Ophidian
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Python
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Salamander
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Shuttle
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Sidewinder
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Thargoid
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Transporter
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Viper
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Worm
+|
+|
+|
+|}
+</table-progress-tracking>
+=== Archimedes Elite ===
+[[File:Archimedes_Elite_Ship_Chart.jpg|thumb|270px|Archimedes Elite Ship Chart]]
+Archimedes Elite for the Acorn Archimedes platform has additional ships:
+<table-progress-tracking table-id="2" unique-column-index="1">
+{| class="article-table sortable"
+|+
+!Ship
+!Size
+!Type
+! Notes
+|-
+|Asp II
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Boa II
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Caiman
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Copperhead
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Hognose
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Moccasin
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Racer
+|
+|
+|
+|-
+|Orbit Shuttle
+|
+|
+|
+|}
+</table-progress-tracking>
+==Trivia==
+*The original Elite was one of the first video games to use 3D vector shapes, and it used less memory than a single email does today.<ref>https://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png</ref>
+*Most of the ships were named after snakes. This came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads.
+*Frontier Developments offers Elite (1984) for free on the [https://www.frontierstore.net Official Store] for PC and Mac.
+*The song [https://youtu.be/w9gOQgfPW4Y M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume]  has a map of the original Elite at 2:28. This is 4AD's first UK number one single from 1987.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9gOQgfPW4Y YouTube: M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (Official Video)]</ref>
-== Related==
+==Related==
-* [http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/manual.htm Original Elite manual]
+*[http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/manual.htm Original Elite manual]
-* [[Elite: The Dark Wheel]]
+*[[Elite: The Dark Wheel]]
-* [[Elite series]]
+*[[Elite series]]
-* [[Elite logo]]
+*[[Elite logo]]
-== Gallery ==
+==Gallery==
 <gallery hideaddbutton="true">
 File:Elite-1984-Product-Image.png|Elite 1984 product image
 File:Elite-1984-Official-Art-Restored.png|Elite 1984 official art restored
 File:Elite.jpg|Elite
-File:The_Original_Elite,_1984.jpg|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell
+File:Elite 1984 Original.jpg|The original Elite by David Braben and Ian Bell
 File:Elite-BBC-Micro-Package-1984.png|Elite BBC Micro Package 1984
 File:David-Braben-Ian-Bell-Elite.png|David Braben and Ian Bell are the creators of Elite in 1984
-File:Elite_The_Dark_Wheel_Novella.jpg|The Dark Wheel, by Robert Holdstock
+File:Elite The Dark Wheel Novella.jpg|The Dark Wheel, by Robert Holdstock
 File:Elite-Original-Poster-1984.png|Elite orignal poster 1984
-File:Elite_Badges.jpg|Elite Badges for people who reached Elite status
+File:Elite Badges.jpg|Elite Badges for people who reached Elite status
 File:Original-Elite-Logo-1984.png|A scan of the Pilots Federation logo from the original Space Trader's Flight Training Manual, which was issued with the 1984 version of Elite as issued for the BBC Microcomputer 32K
 File:Golden-Elite-Logo.png|Golden Elite Logo
@@ Line 160: / Line 388: @@
 File:Elite-Game-1988-Atari-ST-port.png|Elite 1988 Atari ST port
 File:Elite-1984-3D-Vector-Shapes.png
+File:Archimedes Elite Ship Chart.jpg|Archimedes Elite Ship Chart
 </gallery>
-== References ==
+==References==
 <references />
 [[Category:Elite series]]
 [[ru:Elite]]

Elite: Difference between revisions

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