Elite Universe
The Elite Universe is a term to describe the whole fictional universe of the Elite series. Every Elite game and media takes place in the same universe. There are some minor disparities such as timeline events.
Kardashev Scale
The Kardashev scale measures a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to use for communication.[1]
- Type I - a planetary civilization capable of utilizing all of the energy of a single planet. Earth, circa 2015, sits at 0.724 (circa 1960, 0.7), just under Type I.
- Type II - a stellar civilization is capable of utilizing all the energy of a star
- Type III - galactic civilization can control energy on the scale of the entire host galaxy
Type IV and V civilizations are thought to be too advanced by Kardashev and may not be possible according to current scientific understanding. Other theorists like Michio Kaku, Robert Zubrin and Carl Sagan think it is possible.
- Type IV - a civilization that can control or use the entire universe. They can take on gargantuan, superhuman projects such as changing the structure of space-time.
- Type V - a civilization that can control or use a collection of universes. They are like gods, can jump between multiverses with the knowledge to manipulate the universe as they please.
Type II Civilization
Based on the Kardashev scale, human civilization is firmly a Type II civilization in the Elite universe. At least level 2.4. This is evident with the following technological abilities and achievements of humans in the 33rd century:
- With the Frame Shift Drive humans can travel many times the speed of light between star systems.
- Humans can travel in a higher dimensional region known as Hyperspace.
- Corporations control countless companies which farm, mine and use entire planets and star systems for resources and food. This is done to produce basic goods which trillions of people use for their survival. Corporations have the technological capability and actively harness the energy of entire star systems.
- With faster than light travel (FTL) being commonly available, Dyson spheres are inefficient compared with harnessing energy (and resource) at a smaller scale over more stars and systems.
- Humans were able to jump across the galaxy and between galaxies with modifications to the original hyperdrive. It used the fuel Quirium in the classic Elite.[2]
- The Middle-classes can afford spaceships like cars in the 20th century.[3]
- Humans can travel to almost any point in the whole Milky Way galaxy on a mass scale
- Humans have the ability to harness power of thousands of star types in the galaxy.
- Humans have expanded heavily on an interstellar level. Primarily in The Bubble and some other regions like Colonia. Human settlements and asteroid bases are scattered in deep space.
- Thousands of systems have been colonized so far.
Humans don't yet control or use the energy of the entire Milky Way galaxy which is a requirement for being a Type III civilization.
A Dark Universe
The Elite Universe has many dark aspects. It's not an unrealistic depiction of an utopia with near-perfect societies without conflict. The galactic superpowers Federation, Empire and Alliance are portrayed as all being imperfect. They're all flawed with good and bad aspects. There's not a clear group of "good guys" and "bad guys." This makes the Elite Universe more believable and realistic than most other science-fiction universes such as Star Wars and Star Trek.
Societies
Societies in the Elite Universe can be very diverse, because star systems can have many different government types and customs. This is mostly the case in the Alliance and independent systems where each system is governed independently with their own culture, values and government.
The Federation is less diverse than the Alliance due to having common values, regulations and government types among all their systems. The Empire is the least diverse due to having an imperial monarchy with more strict regulations.
Dystopian
Little has changed for those in the bottom of society since the old-Earth's dark ages. The planet-spanning mega corporations employ entire nations and rule unchecked over vast sections of the galaxy. Weapons are readily available and people are inclined to shoot first. The general lawlessness of space, inequality, greed of the galactic elite, navigational hazards and fierce creatures on planets make it a dangerous galaxy.[4]