Elite, released in 1984 by Acornsoft and Firebird for DOS, is a groundbreaking 3D space trading and combat simulator. Starting at Lave Station with a basic Cobra Mark III and 100 credits, you are free to chart your own path across multiple galaxies. Whether you choose to amass wealth as a peaceful trader, hunt bounties, or turn to piracy, the game’s open-ended universe offers unprecedented freedom.
How to play
Your primary objective is to survive and earn enough credits to upgrade your ship, ultimately striving for the prestigious “Elite” combat rating. You must navigate the galaxy using hyperspace jumps, trade commodities between planets, and engage in wireframe 3D dogfights. In the DOS version, you pilot your ship using the keyboard to manage pitch, roll, and speed. A critical early skill is manually matching the rotation of space stations to safely dock.
Tips
- Focus on low-risk trading routes between safe corporate states or democracies early on to build up your credits without drawing pirate attention.
- Save up for a Docking Computer as your first major upgrade; it automatically handles the dangerous station approach, saving you from costly crashes.
- Use your 3D radar scanner to track enemy positions relative to your ship, allowing you to maneuver them into your forward lasers.
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