Elite: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Elite-1984-Product-Image.png|thumb|300px|Elite 1984 product art]] | [[File:Elite-1984-Product-Image.png|thumb|300px|Elite 1984 product art]] | ||
'''Elite''' is a space trading video game, originally published by Acornsoft in 1984 for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers. It is the first installment of the [[:Category:Elite series|Elite series]]. Elite is the longest | '''Elite''' is a space trading video game, originally published by Acornsoft in 1984 for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers. It is the first installment of the [[:Category:Elite series|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 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 had 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 had 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 inclusion of [[The Dark Wheel#The Dark Wheel novella|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> | Elite was one of the first home computer games to use wire-frame 3D graphics with hidden line removal. Another novelty was the inclusion of [[The Dark Wheel#The Dark Wheel novella|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".] ''Computer & Video Games''. Archived from [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 the original] on 11 February 2007.</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elite_(video_game)</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. | 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, the X series of space trading games and the Grand Theft Auto series. | ||
Elite is one of the most significant computer games ever, Elite changed the face of computer gaming dramatically with its combination of believability, considered design, compelling gameplay and longevity. | Elite is one of the most significant computer games ever, Elite changed the face of computer gaming dramatically with its combination of believability, considered design, compelling gameplay and longevity. | ||
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== Trivia == | == Trivia == | ||
* Most of the ships were named after snakes, and this came about because of the | * Most of the ships were named after snakes, and this came about because of the wire-frame models looking a bit like snake heads. | ||
* Frontier Developments offers this game for free on their store page for PC, Mac and the original platforms. | * Frontier Developments offers this game for free on their store page for PC, Mac and the original platforms. | ||