Elite: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Elite-1984-Official-Art-Restored.png|thumb|250px|Elite 1984 official art]] | [[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 Games by Frontier - Elite] | '''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 Games by Frontier - "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 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 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. | 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 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. | ||
Elite was one of the first home computer games to use wire-frame 3D graphics with hidden line removal. Another novelty was the added twitch gameplay and the inclusion of [[Elite: The Dark Wheel]], a novella by Robert Holdstock which influenced new players with insight into the moral and legal codes to which they might aspire. The Dark Wheel was the first novella to be included for distribution with a video game in history.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070211011328/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 Games that changed the world: Elite" | Elite was one of the first home computer games to use wire-frame 3D graphics with hidden line removal. Another novelty was the added twitch gameplay and the inclusion of [[Elite: The Dark Wheel]], a novella by Robert Holdstock which influenced new players with insight into the moral and legal codes to which they might aspire. The Dark Wheel was the first novella to be included for distribution with a video game in history.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070211011328/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 Games that changed the world: Elite"] article, ''Computer & Video Games'', archived from [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 the original] on 11 February 2007 at archive.org</ref><ref name=":3">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_(video_game) Wikipedia: ''Elite'' (video game)]</ref> According to Guinness World Records, ''"Elite was the first game to feature a (3D) procedurally generated world."''<ref>[http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-use-of-procedural-generation-in-a-video-game/ Guinness World Records: First use of procedural generation in a videogame]</ref> | ||
Elite's open-ended game model, advanced game engine and revolutionary 3D graphics ensured that it was ported to virtually every contemporary home computer system, and earned it a place as a classic and a genre maker in gaming history.<ref>LaMosca, Adam (18 July 2006). "[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_54/324-Lost-in-the-Void Lost in the Void]". [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Escapist_(magazine) The Escapist]. Retrieved 17 November 2007.</ref> Elite was a hugely influential game, serving as a model for more recent games such as Space Rogue, Eve Online, Freelancer, Jumpgate, Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Wing Commander: Privateer, Pardus, the Escape Velocity series, No Man's Sky, the X series of space trading games and the Grand Theft Auto series. Jumpgate Evolution, Battlecruiser 3000AD, Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars and Flatspace have likewise credited Elite as a source of inspiration.<ref name=":3" /> | Elite's open-ended game model, advanced game engine and revolutionary 3D graphics ensured that it was ported to virtually every contemporary home computer system, and earned it a place as a classic and a genre maker in gaming history.<ref>LaMosca, Adam (18 July 2006). "[http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_54/324-Lost-in-the-Void Lost in the Void]". [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Escapist_(magazine) The Escapist]. Retrieved 17 November 2007.</ref> Elite was a hugely influential game, serving as a model for more recent games such as Space Rogue, Eve Online, Freelancer, Jumpgate, Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Wing Commander: Privateer, Pardus, the Escape Velocity series, No Man's Sky, the X series of space trading games and the Grand Theft Auto series. Jumpgate Evolution, Battlecruiser 3000AD, Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars and Flatspace have likewise credited Elite as a source of inspiration.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
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=== 3D Open World Space Game === | === 3D Open World Space Game === | ||
Jamie Sefton of GamesRadar explains: ''"The first truly open-world game was made for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron back in 1984 – David Braben and Ian Bell’s Elite. Until then, space games were flat, 2D experiences where you were restricted to a choice of when to move your ship and fire laser bolts at ever-descending dot-matrix aliens. Elite created a believable open-ended wire frame universe of planets, political systems, economies, trading routes and space stations, in which you could explore the galaxies and define your Commander Jameson – would you live the life of a bounty hunter, a miner, a trader or a pirate?"''<ref>http://www.gamesradar.com/the-roots-of-open-world-games/</ref> | Jamie Sefton of GamesRadar explains: ''"The first truly open-world game was made for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron back in 1984 – David Braben and Ian Bell’s Elite. Until then, space games were flat, 2D experiences where you were restricted to a choice of when to move your ship and fire laser bolts at ever-descending dot-matrix aliens. Elite created a believable open-ended wire frame universe of planets, political systems, economies, trading routes and space stations, in which you could explore the galaxies and define your Commander Jameson – would you live the life of a bounty hunter, a miner, a trader or a pirate?"''<ref>[http://www.gamesradar.com/the-roots-of-open-world-games/ GamesRadar+: The roots of open-world games]</ref> | ||
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/</ref> | 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> | ||
== Music == | == Music == | ||
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[[File:Elite.jpg|thumb|200px|Elite]] | [[File:Elite.jpg|thumb|200px|Elite]] | ||
Elite's open-ended game model, advanced game engine and revolutionary 3D graphics ensured that it was ported to virtually every contemporary home computer system, and earned it a place as a classic and a genre maker in gaming history. Elite was a hugely influential game, serving as a model for more recent games such as Space Rogue, Eve Online, Freelancer, Jumpgate, Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Wing Commander: Privateer, Pardus, the Escape Velocity series, the X series of space trading games and the Grand Theft Auto series.<ref>https://classicreload.com/c64-elite.html</ref> | Elite's open-ended game model, advanced game engine and revolutionary 3D graphics ensured that it was ported to virtually every contemporary home computer system, and earned it a place as a classic and a genre maker in gaming history. Elite was a hugely influential game, serving as a model for more recent games such as Space Rogue, Eve Online, Freelancer, Jumpgate, Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Wing Commander: Privateer, Pardus, the Escape Velocity series, the X series of space trading games and the Grand Theft Auto series.<ref>[https://classicreload.com/c64-elite.html ClassicReload: Commodore 64 Elite]</ref> | ||
The former creative director of DMA Design Gary Penn cited Elite as a major influence for the original Grand Theft Auto (1997): ''"But I'd been working on Frontier, which is very different and there were definitely other people on the team who had things like Syndicate, Mercenary and Elite very much in their minds as well. That combination definitely led to the more open plan structure there is now. The game as it stands now is basically Elite in a city, but without quite the same sense of taking on the jobs. You take on the jobs in a slightly different way, but incredibly similar structurally. It's just a much more acceptable real world setting. The game was cops and robbers and then that evolved fairly quickly -- nobody wants to be the cop, it's more fun to be bad. And then that evolved into Grand Theft Auto."''<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134644/the_replay_interviews_gary_penn.php | The former creative director of DMA Design Gary Penn cited Elite as a major influence for the original Grand Theft Auto (1997): ''"But I'd been working on Frontier, which is very different and there were definitely other people on the team who had things like Syndicate, Mercenary and Elite very much in their minds as well. That combination definitely led to the more open plan structure there is now. The game as it stands now is basically Elite in a city, but without quite the same sense of taking on the jobs. You take on the jobs in a slightly different way, but incredibly similar structurally. It's just a much more acceptable real world setting. The game was cops and robbers and then that evolved fairly quickly -- nobody wants to be the cop, it's more fun to be bad. And then that evolved into Grand Theft Auto."''<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134644/the_replay_interviews_gary_penn.php Game Developer: The Replay Interviews: Gary Penn]</ref> | ||
[[File:Elite-Series-Guinness-World-Record-Longest-Running-Space-Simulation-Series.png|thumb|200px|Elite series Guinness World Record for Longest Running Space Simulation Series]] | [[File:Elite-Series-Guinness-World-Record-Longest-Running-Space-Simulation-Series.png|thumb|200px|Elite series Guinness World Record for Longest Running Space Simulation Series]] | ||
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=== The Original Elite, 1984 – 1992 === | === The Original Elite, 1984 – 1992 === | ||
''It’s hard, at this stage, to return to the pre-Elite days of computer gaming in the early 80s. Back then games were largely simplistic, clones of arcade games or following very closely in their designs. Games were specifically designed to play through in a few minutes, featuring ‘lives’, ‘scores’ and ‘levels’. There were games that broke this mould, but they were few and far between, and often easily forgotten.''<ref name=":1">https://canonn.science/lore/drewwagar-history-the-original-elite/ | ''It’s hard, at this stage, to return to the pre-Elite days of computer gaming in the early 80s. Back then games were largely simplistic, clones of arcade games or following very closely in their designs. Games were specifically designed to play through in a few minutes, featuring ‘lives’, ‘scores’ and ‘levels’. There were games that broke this mould, but they were few and far between, and often easily forgotten.''<ref name=":1">[https://canonn.science/lore/drewwagar-history-the-original-elite/ Canonn Research: Drew Wagar’s History: The Original Elite] | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
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[[File:Elite-Game-1988-Atari-ST-port.png|thumb|200px|Elite 1988 Atari ST port]] | [[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, Tatung Einstein, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 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]", Micro Adventurer (14): 7 | 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, Tatung Einstein, Sinclair ZX Spectrum 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> | ||
== BBC Micro Package == | == BBC Micro Package == | ||
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[[File:Elite-BBC-Micro-Package-1984.png|thumb|200px|Elite BBC Micro Package 1984]] | [[File:Elite-BBC-Micro-Package-1984.png|thumb|200px|Elite BBC Micro Package 1984]] | ||
The arrival of Elite heralded a new concept in game presentation. Instead of just the game media and an instruction sheet, Elite came packaged with a hefty manual, a novella based on the game, a ship poster and various other items.<ref name=":2">http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/Elite/bbc_tape.html</ref> | The arrival of Elite heralded a new concept in game presentation. Instead of just the game media and an instruction sheet, Elite came packaged with a hefty manual, a novella based on the game, a ship poster and various other items.<ref name=":2">[http://www.frontierastro.co.uk/Elite/bbc_tape.html FrontierAstro: BBC Elite Information (Tape)]</ref> | ||
As with all other games on tape, loading the game was a laborious process, taking around 7 minutes to complete. Due to the nature of the cassette medium, no further loading took place at any stage, meaning docking and hyperspacing took place without delay. This was the reason why a number of features were missing compared to the disc version, as the latter loaded in fresh data during the game.<ref name=":2" /> | As with all other games on tape, loading the game was a laborious process, taking around 7 minutes to complete. Due to the nature of the cassette medium, no further loading took place at any stage, meaning docking and hyperspacing took place without delay. This was the reason why a number of features were missing compared to the disc version, as the latter loaded in fresh data during the game.<ref name=":2" /> | ||
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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 added by artist Philip Castle. 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/ I am David Braben, co-creator of Elite, creator of Frontier, Frontier II and the upcoming Elite: Dangerous]</ref> | 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> | ||
In the Elite universe it's the emblem of the [[Pilots Federation|Elite Federation of Pilots]]. The body awards and administers the Elite ratings. The gold badge is for Elite pilots and silver for all other ranks. | In the Elite universe it's the emblem of the [[Pilots Federation|Elite Federation of Pilots]]. The body awards and administers the Elite ratings. The gold badge is for Elite pilots and silver for all other ranks. | ||
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[[File:David-Braben-Signed-BBC-Microcomputer.png|thumb|200px|BBC Microcomputer signed by David Braben]] | [[File:David-Braben-Signed-BBC-Microcomputer.png|thumb|200px|BBC Microcomputer signed by David Braben]] | ||
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/</ref> | 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 == | ||
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[[File:Elite-30-Years-on-the-Frontier.png|thumb|200px|Elite - 30 Years on the Frontier]] | [[File:Elite-30-Years-on-the-Frontier.png|thumb|200px|Elite - 30 Years on the Frontier]] | ||
20th September 2014 was the 30th anniversary of the day the world first experienced ''Elite''. This is the classic 3D space trading and combat game written by Ian Bell and [[David Braben]] in 1984. The technology used fits 8 galaxies each with 256 planets to explore on 32k of memory. It began on the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron and appeared on most gaming platforms of the era. [[Elite Dangerous]] continues the [[:Category:Elite series|Elite series]] into the future.<ref>http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/thirty/index.htm</ref> | 20th September 2014 was the 30th anniversary of the day the world first experienced ''Elite''. This is the classic 3D space trading and combat game written by Ian Bell and [[David Braben]] in 1984. The technology used fits 8 galaxies each with 256 planets to explore on 32k of memory. It began on the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron and appeared on most gaming platforms of the era. [[Elite Dangerous]] continues the [[:Category:Elite series|Elite series]] into the future.<ref>[http://www.iancgbell.clara.net/elite/thirty/index.htm Ian C G Bell: Elite 30<sup>th</sup> Anniversary]</ref> | ||
<gallery hideaddbutton="true"> | <gallery hideaddbutton="true"> | ||
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* Most of the ships were named after snakes. This came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads. | * 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. | * Frontier Developments offers this game for free on the [https://www.frontierstore.net Official Store] site 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 M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up The Volume (Official Video)]</ref> | * 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== | ||