Elite

Elite - the 1985 space trading and combat sim for Commodore 64 from
Firebird.

Start as rookie Commander Jameson in a Cobra Mk III. Trade, bounty
hunt, or pirate your way up the combat ranks toward the coveted
“Elite” rating in an open galaxy.

Core loop
- haul legal or contraband cargo between worlds to earn credits
- fight pirates and police in wireframe 3D, then dock to trade and save
- buy ship upgrades until you can survive tougher systems and missions

Systems and items
- equipment - beam lasers, ECM, fuel scoops, cargo bay, docking computer
- status and law - CLEAN to FUGITIVE affects scans, fines, and police
- galaxies - 8 galaxies with 2000+ systems generated by seed data
- ships - cobra mk iii start, meet vipers, thargoids, and traders
- music - docking computer cues the Blue Danube arrangement

Level design and feel
Hidden-line wireframe 3D with smooth rolls and pitch on joystick or keys.
Coriolis stations spin while you thread the slot by hand or let the
autopilot sing you home.

Why it is notable
- landmark procedural universe and open-ended play on C64
- definitive port of the Braben and Bell classic under Firebird

Tips
- buy ECM early to survive missile ambushes
- trade between industrial and agricultural worlds for safe profits
- practice manual docking at Lave before flying hot systems

At a glance
Year - 1985
Developer - David Braben - Ian Bell
Design and programming - David Braben - Ian Bell
Graphics - Wireframe 3D by Braben and Bell - title screen by Simon Jay
Music - David Dunn (arrangement)
Publisher - Firebird (Telecomsoft)
Genre - Space trading sim
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2 + keys