Space is vast and beautiful, and in Elite, it’s also deadly. It was true in 1984, and it’s just as true today.
Thirty years ago, Ian Bell and David Braben created an iconic space trading and combat game that made my 9-year-old head spin with its epic scope and endless possibilities. You could trade goods between worlds, track down bounties, mine in deep space, or become a feared pirate. Each is a valid choice, and each offers a unique take on the game. The wire-frame graphics were like nothing I’d seen before, and they evoked a sense of wide-eyed wonder as I trekked through deep space, dying often but loving the ride.
Jump forward to 2014 and Elite: Dangerous, now in PC beta testing and scheduled to launch in late 2014, evoked the same sense of wonder in my near-40-year-old self when I first loaded it up. Visually, yes, the game is incredible, but it’s that sense that you’re truly part of a living, breathing universe that makes Elite: Dangerous so much more than just another space game.
So I decided to look back 30 years to see how the hugely ambitious original, somehow squeezed on to the BBC Model B’s 32K of RAM, holds up against its present-day successor.
I took all the screenshots in-game, occasionally dying when reaching to open a menu or press the F10 key. You can click each image to get a larger version.
If you want to try the original version of Elite for yourself, co-creator Ian Bell recommends suitable BBC emulators on his website. You can buy access to the Elite: Dangerous beta from its online store.
Planet view
Above: Looking down on a planet can make you feel incredibly small, but Elite makes you feel anything but insignificant.
A passing ship
Above: A ship seen passing the cabin evoked a sense of wonder 30 years ago. It still has the same effect today.
Hyperspace countdown
Above: Hyperspace countdown begins. Best grab hold of something.
Hyperspace jump
Above: Hyperspace in Elite was a psychedelic experience. Now, it is simply mind-blowing.
Staring at the sun
Above: The view has sure changed in the last 30 years.
The view from deep space
Above: Gazing in to deep space gives you time to contemplate your place in the universe. Until pirates interrupt.
Approaching a space station
Above: The floating billboards in Elite: Dangerous really grabbed my eye when I first saw them.
Successfully docking
Above: Successfully docking is a lot simpler in Elite: Dangerous. Back in the day, death by space station was all too common (at least until I got hold of a docking computer).
Docked
Above: The landing bays in Elite: Dangerous’s space stations look as impressive as what’s outside.
An iconic image
Above: The iconic rotating ship is still there, 30 years later. It’s nice to see some things don’t change.
Equipping your ship
Above: You can turn your ship into a fighting machine provided you have enough credits.
Under attack
Above: It’s dangerous out in deep space, especially if you go up against pirates.
Launching a missile
Above: You still hit “T” to target, but the missile effects look a lot different in 2014.
An explosion out in space
Above: Getting in a killer shot after a prolonged dogfight was a joy back in 1984 and is just as pleasurable today.
Game Over
Above: Death comes too easily in Elite. At least it looks suitably spectacular in 2014.
The short-range star chart
Above: Navigation is a lot easier with a star chart that shows trade routes.
A long-range view
Above: Plotting your course through distant stars is a darn sight easier in Elite: Dangerous.
Accessing the menus
Above: In Elite, you accessed menus with the function keys. Now, you feel like they’re a part of your ship.
Market prices
Above: The prices have changed and so has the presentation. Making money is as hard as ever, though.
Planet data
Above: Planet data is found in the star chart in Elite: Dangerous.