FrontierAstro@FrontierAstro

All about the Elite and Frontier games from the 1980s and 1990s, plus a bit of astronomy.

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frontierastro.co.uk
Joined April 2012
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Frontier Elite optimistically judged the separation between Alpha and Proxima Centauri to be around 900AU. Elite Dangerous is much more accurate at 13,000AU, which is why flying to Hutton Orbital is such a tedious trip compared to Eden Station. Remember to pack your sandwiches!
Eden Station orbiting planet Eden, Alpha Centauri system, in FFED3D-AJ. The red star to the left of the image is Proxima Centauri, the closest star beyond our Solar system.

ALT Eden Station orbiting planet Eden, Alpha Centauri system, in FFED3D-AJ. The red star to the left of the image is Proxima Centauri, the closest star beyond our Solar system.

The system information screen for Alpha Centauri in FFED3D-AJ. Proxima Centauri is shown (erroneously) as having a distance from its parent star of 963 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

ALT The system information screen for Alpha Centauri in FFED3D-AJ. Proxima Centauri is shown (erroneously) as having a distance from its parent star of 963 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

Space view in Elite Dangerous, with Hutton Orbital targeted in the Alpha Centauri system. The distance of 0.21 ly (light years) is correct; approximately 13,000 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

ALT Space view in Elite Dangerous, with Hutton Orbital targeted in the Alpha Centauri system. The distance of 0.21 ly (light years) is correct; approximately 13,000 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

System information in Elite Dangerous for Alpha Centauri, showing Proxima Centauri as having a orbiting distance from its parent star of 12,268.91 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

ALT System information in Elite Dangerous for Alpha Centauri, showing Proxima Centauri as having a orbiting distance from its parent star of 12,268.91 AU. One AU (Astronomical Unit) is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, equating to 149,597,870 km or 92,955,807 miles.

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It was odd that The Micro User magazine published a guide to playing Elite in January 1986, 16 months after the game was released. However Elite for the BBC Master did hit the shops later that year. It was nice to see some new Elite art, rather than the usual Philip Castle image.
The front cover of the January 1986 edition of The Micro User magazine (Volume 3, Number 11). It featured some Elite-themed artwork and also showed the guide to playing Elite contained within.

ALT The front cover of the January 1986 edition of The Micro User magazine (Volume 3, Number 11). It featured some Elite-themed artwork and also showed the guide to playing Elite contained within.

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Unsurprisingly, #Commodore64 owners were desperate to play #Elite on their machine, having witnessed it on the #BBCMicro and #AcornElectron. In 1985, their prayers were answered and the game was a massive hit everywhere. #AmstradCPC and #Spectrum versions soon followed.
An advert for Elite on the Commodore 64 home computer (Firebird, 1985). The headline read "Out in deep space, these reviewers faced their toughest test."

ALT An advert for Elite on the Commodore 64 home computer (Firebird, 1985). The headline read "Out in deep space, these reviewers faced their toughest test."

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Back in 1984, this was probably the most exciting moment in computer games up to that point - when the first mission was triggered in #BBCElite. Suddenly you felt much more important, as Her Majesty's Space Navy was giving *you* a secret mission to carry out! Happy days...
First page of the Constrictor mission in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). (***** is replaced by the current Commander's name.) The text reads as follows:- "Greetings Commander *****, I am Captain Fosdyke Smythe of Her Majesty's Space Navy and I beg a moment of your valuable time. We would like you to do a little job for us. The ship you see here is a new model, the Constrictor, equiped (sic) with a top secret new shield generator. Unfortunately it's been stolen."

ALT First page of the Constrictor mission in BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). (***** is replaced by the current Commander's name.) The text reads as follows:- "Greetings Commander *****, I am Captain Fosdyke Smythe of Her Majesty's Space Navy and I beg a moment of your valuable time. We would like you to do a little job for us. The ship you see here is a new model, the Constrictor, equiped (sic) with a top secret new shield generator. Unfortunately it's been stolen."

It went missing from our ship yard on Xeer five months ago and is believed to have jumped to this galaxy. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to seek and destroy this ship. You are cautioned that only Military Lasers will penetrate the new shields and that the Constrictor is fitted with an E. C. M. System. Good luck, Commander. MESSAGE ENDS

ALT It went missing from our ship yard on Xeer five months ago and is believed to have jumped to this galaxy. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to seek and destroy this ship. You are cautioned that only Military Lasers will penetrate the new shields and that the Constrictor is fitted with an E. C. M. System. Good luck, Commander. MESSAGE ENDS

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Back in 1993, it was quite novel to see animated adverts within computer games, although in #FrontierElite2 they were for fictitious products. I can't imagine what Crater Juice tastes like, but apparently in the summer of 3200 the only way to drink it is Ice Cold 🥤🙂

ALT Animated advert in Frontier Elite 2 (Gametek, 1993). The text alternates between "Pure Cold" and "Crater Juice".

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A significant birthday for #Elite this year - the game is now 42 years old. Definitely the answer to Life, The Universe and Everything! The #MostlyHarmless combat ranking is another connection to Douglas Adams' #HHGTTG. I wonder what he would have made of #EliteDangerous?
A still image of the spinning Cobra Mark 3 space ship at the start of Elite for the BBC Computer (Acornsoft, 1984). The text on the screen reads as follows:- ---- E L I T E ---- By D. Braben & I. Bell Load New Commander (Y/N)? (C) Acornsoft 1984

ALT A still image of the spinning Cobra Mark 3 space ship at the start of Elite for the BBC Computer (Acornsoft, 1984). The text on the screen reads as follows:- ---- E L I T E ---- By D. Braben & I. Bell Load New Commander (Y/N)? (C) Acornsoft 1984

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#BEEBUG was an A5-sized computer magazine in the UK, taking a mainly serious look at the #BBCMicro during the 1980s and 1990s. It included a favourable single-page review of #BBCElite in its November 1984 edition, awarding the game a deserved 5 stars!
The front cover of the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It included the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, albeit in monochrome, and the words "Elite - the new supergame" above the picture.

ALT The front cover of the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It included the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, albeit in monochrome, and the words "Elite - the new supergame" above the picture.

The single-page review of Elite in the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It rated the game very highly, and awarded it 5 stars out of 5.

ALT The single-page review of Elite in the November 1984 issue of BEEBUG magazine (Vol 3 No 6). It rated the game very highly, and awarded it 5 stars out of 5.

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I don't want #Commodore64 owners to feel left out, and #C64Elite was in many ways better than the Spectrum version, especially the graphics. Anyway, it was another portal to the amazing world of #Elite for many kids in the UK and beyond, and the 4th best version of Elite ever!
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For many 80s kids, this was their introduction to #Elite, when #SpectrumElite was released by Firebird in 1985. Whether you were playing it safe by taking agricultural goods to Zaonce, or smuggling narcotics to Riedquat for huge profits, this was #EliteDangerous 40+ years ago!

ALT A short animation of Elite for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer (Firebird, 1985). It includes:- 1. Purchasing trade items 2. Selecting a trade destination 3. Launching from the space station 4. Hyperspacing to Zaonce 5. Engaging the Torus jump drive towards the planet

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Look closely at these images from the #CommodoreAmiga and #AtariST versions of #Elite in 1988. Notice much difference? They're virtually identical games developed by Mr Micro. Fine games though they were, 5 years later #FrontierElite2 came along and rewrote the space sim genre.
The loading screen from the Atari ST version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

ALT The loading screen from the Atari ST version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

Commander information screen in the Atari ST version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

ALT Commander information screen in the Atari ST version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

The loading screen from the Commodore Amiga version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

ALT The loading screen from the Commodore Amiga version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

Commander information screen in the Commodore Amiga version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

ALT Commander information screen in the Commodore Amiga version of Elite (Firebird, 1988).

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#Elite was hugely popular in the USA as well as the UK and Europe, and the two obvious machines to release it on were the #Commodore64 in 1985 and #AppleII in 1986. Both were excellent conversions and sold well. #Commodore64Elite was especially well done by the original authors.
A poster for Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985), for the USA market.

ALT A poster for Commodore 64/128 Elite (Firebird, 1985), for the USA market.

The front of the USA retail box for Apple II Elite (Firebird, 1986). In addition to the usual Firebird Elite graphics was a sticker which read "Fly To Britain Competition".

ALT The front of the USA retail box for Apple II Elite (Firebird, 1986). In addition to the usual Firebird Elite graphics was a sticker which read "Fly To Britain Competition".

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Look at all the medals and permits I've accrued in #FirstEncounters! "Supreme Knight of the Shining Arc" was awarded for destroying the Thargoid homeworld, a mission never actually implemented in the game 😊 The others are all from regular gameplay though. tiny.one/FFED3DAJ
The Commander status screen in AndyJ's FFED3DAJ - a modern remake of Frontier First Encounters (Gametek, 1995). All ranks, medals and permits are genuine, with the exception of "Supreme Knight of the Shining Arc", which was awarded for successfully completing a mission to destroy the Thargoid home world. This mission was never implemented in the game.

ALT The Commander status screen in AndyJ's FFED3DAJ - a modern remake of Frontier First Encounters (Gametek, 1995). All ranks, medals and permits are genuine, with the exception of "Supreme Knight of the Shining Arc", which was awarded for successfully completing a mission to destroy the Thargoid home world. This mission was never implemented in the game.

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#FFED3DAJ To my mind, the pinnacle of all the Elite & Frontier games. A labour of love by Andy Jones, who took FFED3D, fixed more bugs, improved the game and gave us pretty much the perfect #FrontierFirstEncounters. Details can be found at tiny.one/FFED3DAJ RIP AndyJ 🙁
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A&B Computing was a popular computer magazine in the UK during the heyday of the #BBCMicro. They awarded #BBCElite a healthy 95% score in the December 1984 issue. Eagle-eyed readers would have noticed a couple of typos/errors, but it was otherwise a good, accurate review.
The front cover of the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The main image was the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, which adorned the Acornsoft releases of the game.

ALT The front cover of the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The main image was the familiar Elite artwork by Philip Castle, which adorned the Acornsoft releases of the game.

The five-column review of Elite, in the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The review scores were as follows:- Sounds - 90% Graphics - 90% Documentation - 100% Value for money - 80% Overall - 95%

ALT The five-column review of Elite, in the December 1984 issue of A&B Computing magazine. The review scores were as follows:- Sounds - 90% Graphics - 90% Documentation - 100% Value for money - 80% Overall - 95%

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How do you play #Elite on a machine with no keyboard? Easy, you add an innovative icon-based system, which becomes second nature within minutes. That's what @DavidBraben and Ian Bell did with the amazing #NESElite in 1991, bringing the legendary game to console owners everywhere!
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I've no idea why the video quality is so poor, by the way. I uploaded the file to my Bluesky account (same user name) and it's much better 😐
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So we have 100% clarity about the best versions of #Elite, here's the FrontierAstro Top 10. The top 3 are:- 1. #BBCElite - the original and still the best 2. #NESElite - the "impossible" version, and a great one too 3. #BBCMasterElite - fast, colourful and amazing fun to play
The FrontierAstro Top 10 versions of Elite, which are:- 1. BBC Model B (disc) 2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) 3. BBC Master 4. Commodore 64 5. Amstrad CPC 6. Acorn Archimedes 7. MSX 8. Sinclair Spectrum 9. BBC Model B (tape) 10. Commodore Amiga

ALT The FrontierAstro Top 10 versions of Elite, which are:- 1. BBC Model B (disc) 2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) 3. BBC Master 4. Commodore 64 5. Amstrad CPC 6. Acorn Archimedes 7. MSX 8. Sinclair Spectrum 9. BBC Model B (tape) 10. Commodore Amiga

A spinning Krait spaceship at the start of BBC disc Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).

ALT A spinning Krait spaceship at the start of BBC disc Elite (Acornsoft, 1984).

A space scene from the NES version of Elite (Imagineer, 1991), featuring a Dodecahedron (Dodo) space station and an unidentified ship.

ALT A space scene from the NES version of Elite (Imagineer, 1991), featuring a Dodecahedron (Dodo) space station and an unidentified ship.

The classic space scene from BBC Master Elite (Acornsoft, 1986).

ALT The classic space scene from BBC Master Elite (Acornsoft, 1986).

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Ok, now the debate about the best version of #Elite has been settled 😉 the question is, why is it #BBCElite? Well, aside from the brilliant way it plays, you get a real sense that this is the way the authors envisaged the game, and that what you're playing is The Real Deal™ 😎
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Elite on three different #Commodore machines. Firstly the #CBM64, then the #Plus4 and finally the #CommodoreAmiga. The 8-bit versions are essentially indistinguishable and honestly better looking than the garish Amiga version! IMHO 😛
Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore 64 Elite (Firebird, 1985).

ALT Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore 64 Elite (Firebird, 1985).

Approaching a Coriolis space station in Commodore Plus/4 Elite (unofficial, 1988).

ALT Approaching a Coriolis space station in Commodore Plus/4 Elite (unofficial, 1988).

Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird, 1988).

ALT Spinning Cobra Mark 3 in Commodore Amiga Elite (Firebird, 1988).

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Here's the interview with #Elite authors Ian Bell and @DavidBraben from Acorn World in 1984. It's a good interview and quite amusing in places! I have still drawn a complete blank as to what this publication actually was, as its not mentioned as a magazine supplement anywhere 😕
The first page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young Ian Bell sitting on some steps outdoors.

ALT The first page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young Ian Bell sitting on some steps outdoors.

The second page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young David Braben sitting on some steps outdoors.

ALT The second page of a two-page interview with Elite authors Ian Bell and David Braben in the December 1984 edition of Acorn World. This page features a photo of a young David Braben sitting on some steps outdoors.

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