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Elite (video game series)

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Elite
Genre(s)Space trading and combat simulator, online space flight simulator
Developer(s)David Braben, Ian Bell, Chris Sawyer, Frontier Developments, Microplay Software
Publisher(s)Acornsoft (Acorn/BBC), Firebird (ports), Imagineer, GameTek, Konami, Frontier Developments
First releaseElite
1984
Latest releaseElite Dangerous
2014

Elite is a space trading and combat simulation video game series created by David Braben and Ian Bell in 1984. The Elite series has been revolutionary innovative, genre defining, and the longest running space sim series in history.[1][2] The series was met with commercial success, favorable reviews and near-universal acclaim.[3][4]

Releases

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Release timeline
1984Elite
1985–1990
1991Elite Plus
1992
1993Frontier: Elite II
1994
1995Frontier: First Encounters
1996–2013
2014Elite Dangerous
2015Elite Dangerous: Horizons
2016Elite Dangerous: Arena
2017–2020
2021Elite Dangerous: Odyssey
Year Title Platform(s)
Console Computer Handheld
Main series
1984 Elite
  • NES (PAL regions only)
  • -
1991 Elite Plus
  • -
  • -
1993 Frontier: Elite II
  • -
  • -
1995 Frontier: First Encounters
  • -
  • -
2014 Elite Dangerous
  • -
Expansion packs
2015 Elite Dangerous: Horizons
  • -
2021 Elite Dangerous: Odyssey
  • -
  • -
Spin-offs
2016 Elite Dangerous: Arena
  • -

Main series

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Elite

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The first game in the series is Elite, made by Braben and Bell.[5] It was published by Acornsoft (Acorn/BBC), Firebird (ports) and Imagineer in 1984. Elite was one of the first home computer games to use wire-frame 3D graphics with hidden line removal and twitch gameplay. The inclusion of Elite: The Dark Wheel, a novella by Robert Holdstock. Elite: The Dark Wheel by Robert Holdstock was the first ever novella to be included for distribution with a video game.[6] Elite is considered a classic and genre maker in gaming history for its then revolutionary game engine with 3D graphics and open-ended game model.[2] Due to its popularity, Elite was subsequently ported to nearly every computer and gaming system at the time.[2] Elite has been called the "godfather of space games" since countless other space games wouldn't have existed if it weren't for Elite.[7]

Elite Plus

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Elite Plus was developed and published by Microplay Software in 1991. It was coded in assembly language by Chris Sawyer.[8][9] It's considered an upgraded light version of the original Elite and only available for DOS.

Frontier: Elite II

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The sequel Frontier: Elite II (1993)[10] was developed by David Braben and published by GameTek and Konami. Bell had limited involvement in Elite II, and was not involved in the production of other sequels.[11] Chris Sawyer was an additional programmer and made the PC conversion.[12] Sawyer added texture mapping to the 3D systems with an algorithm for pixel-by-pixel texture plotting and used self-modifying code to increase the game speed.[12] Braben founded the video game studio Frontier Developments in 1994.

Frontier featured many technical advancements and new features on the original Elite, including filled 3D graphics, missions and a complex economy. This time, the player was not confined to orbit but could land on and explore or mine planets. The number of flyable ships was greatly increased, and a new political backstory was introduced enabling the player to gain ranks in competing interstellar empires. Frontier: Elite II appeared on the Amiga, Atari ST, and IBM PC compatibles.[13] Frontier received near universal acclaim by video game critics.[4]

Frontier: First Encounters

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The third title Frontier: First Encounters was developed by Frontier and published only for IBM PC in 1995.[13][14][11] First Encounters was considered flawed in a number of respects with many bugs, due apparently to being published in an incomplete state.[15] First Encounters was extensively patched, then reissued and finally withdrawn from sale. This was followed by a lawsuit brought by Gametek against David Braben. The two games employed a realistic flight model based on Newtonian mechanics rather than the original arcade-style engine. While this was more realistic, many players also found it frustratingly difficult, particularly in combat.[15] Most space trading games since Elite have stuck to an arcade-style flight model, in which the ships behave as though they are flying in an atmosphere. Braben was the project leader and involved in shapes and story.[16] Braben also programmed the game with Chris Sawyer and 6 other programmers.[16]

Elite Dangerous

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Elite Dangerous was conceived in 1998 and provisionally titled Elite 4. It was successfully crowdfunded initially through a Kickstarter campaign in late 2012,[17] and released in December 2014.[18] ED added multiplayer and extended the use of procedural generation, allowing players to fly to and survey every non-atmospheric planet of a certain size range and temperature range in a galaxy containing billions of stars. Elite Dangerous also offers both a Newtonian flight model as well as an arcade one, with the player being able to choose between them using 'flight assist.'[19] Critics gave ED "generally favorable reviews" (84% positive).[3]

Spin-offs

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Elite Dangerous: Arena

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Elite Dangerous: Arena (2016) is an arena PVP game with fast paced spaceship combat. It's a standalone spin-off of the CQC (Close Quarters Combat) mode in Elite Dangerous. It includes 4 arenas and 3 game modes (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Capture the flag). There are 4 flyable ships: F63 Condor, Eagle MkII, Sidewinder MkI and the Imperial Fighter with customizable loadouts. The game released for PC and Steam on 16 February 2016. However, by 10 February 2017 the Steam version was pulled from sale due to insufficient players. It's still available via the Elite Dangerous launcher.

Awards

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Guinness World Records awarded the Elite series: Elite (1984) was the first game to feature a procedurally generated world.[20] Frontier: Elite II was the first game to feature procedurally generated star systems.[20] Frontier: First Encounters was the first game to contain procedurally generated terrain and textures.[20] It also holds the record for longest running space simulation series in history.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Guinness World Records (Jun 18, 2015). "Elite: officially the longest-running space simulation series". Twitter (X). Archived from the original on Feb 28, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Adam LaMosca (Jul 18, 2006). "Lost in the Void". Escapist Magazine. Archived from the original on Nov 10, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Elite Dangerous for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Amiga Reviews: Frontier: Elite II". Amiga Reviews. Sep 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023.
  5. ^ "Elite 25th Anniversary". Frontier Developments. Dec 27, 2007. Archived from the original on Jan 27, 2010.
  6. ^ "Games that changed the world: Elite". CVG. August 14, 2002. Archived from the original on Feb 11, 2007.
  7. ^ Matt Kim (Sep 10, 2023). "How Elite Influenced Starfield and 40 Years of Space Games". IGN. Archived from the original on Feb 7, 2024.
  8. ^ "Elite Plus Manual" (PDF). Internet Archive. Microprose. April 17, 1991.
  9. ^ Pfeifer, Robert. "alt.fan.elite FAQ". Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2006. Section 3.18 and 3.19.
  10. ^ "Frontier: Elite II official page". 2007. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Elite FAQ Ian Bell Autumn 1999". Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Chris Sawyer (Transport Tycoon/RollerCoaster Tycoon) - Interview". Arcade Attack. 9 August 2018. Archived from the original on Dec 2, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Elite series". mobygames.com. Archived from the original on Dec 9, 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  14. ^ "Frontier: First Encounters – Official site". Archived from the original on 23 January 2015.
  15. ^ a b "The history of ... Elite", Retro Gamer (47), Imagine Publishing: 23–31, February 2008
  16. ^ a b "Frontier: First Encounters". MobyGames. December 4, 2023. Archived from the original on Feb 24, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  17. ^ "Frontier Reveals Elite 4: One of the greatest of all games makes a return". IGN. 8 March 2001. Archived from the original on 18 February 2002. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
  18. ^ "Elite: Dangerous release date set for next month". PC Gamer. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  19. ^ "Elite: Dangerous – procedural generation". youtube.com. 15 November 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  20. ^ a b c "First use of procedural generation in a videogame". Guinness World Records. July 2, 2015. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023.
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