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FrontierAstro

@frontierastro.bsky.social

All about the Elite and Frontier games from the 1980s and 1990s, plus a bit of astronomy. frontierastro.co.uk https://x.com/FrontierAstro

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FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · 3w ago

The Ship Identification Chart included with non-Acornsoft versions of 8-bit #Elite in the 1980s. Boulders, asteroids, missiles and cargo barrels somehow got included, but fortunately you could still shoot these like the other ships. The space stations were invulnerable, sadly 🙁

The Ship Identification Chart included with non-Acornsoft versions of Elite in the 1980s. A number of objects which were not ships were also present, marked with a asterisk in this list. Adder, Anaconda, Boulder*, Sidewinder, Shuttle, Python, Asteroid*, Boa, Missile*, Gecko, Space Station*, Escape Capsule, Asp, Cobra, Barrel*, Ferdelance, Transporter, Thargoid, Mamba, Krait, Moray, Viper. Not all versions had all the ships.
FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · last mo.

Of course, high humidity can be just as detrimental to human comfort as extreme temperatures, as demonstrated on Biggs Colony in the Altair system. The residents of Reaganville wouldn't even consider leaving their air conditioned homes & hotels without the necessary protection.

A Cobra Mk I ship departing Schneider Village space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).Approaching Reaganville space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).A Cobra Mk III ship docked at Reaganville space port, on the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system (FFED3D-AJ).System information screen in FFED3D-AJ, showing details for the planet of Biggs Colony in the Altair system.
FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · last mo.

Don't be fooled by the azure seas and plentiful vegetation on the planet of Valhalla, in the Tiliala system. The flora & fauna has adapted to an average temperature of 54°C. By all means explore here, but don't forget to take lots of water and a towel (see ALTs for more info).

Approaching the planet Valhalla in the Tiliala system in FFED3D-AJ. The average surface temperature here is a sweltering 54°C, but despite that there is plentiful flora and fauna which has adapted to life here.Extract from the FE2 Gazetteer - "Valhalla is a small, hot world, comprising equal parts of tropical jungle and desert. Water covers only one third of its surface, but it teems with native life. The seafood of Valhalla is a gourmet's dream, complicated only by the dangers involved in fishing on the planet, which is subject to violent storms throughout the year. The Valhalla serpent is incorrectly named, since it is anatomically related to the mammal like native animals of the world. It grows to lengths in excess of thirty metres in the deep ocean regions of the planet and careful control of hunting of the creatures maintains the population at a sustainable level. The serpent is the source of cabitol oil and greaver, used in pharmaceuticals and beauty products throughout human space, and its brilliantly patterned hides adorn the most wealthy of the Federation. Similarly striking animals inhabit the jungles of Valhalla, perhaps the best known being the Rajah Sphinx, now sadly extinct."System information screen for the world of Valhalla in the Tiliala system in FFED3D-AJ. Tiliala is located 35ly from the Sol system.Approaching planet Democracy in the Tiliala system, in FFED3D-AJ. The ship is an Imperial Trader. Extract from the FE2 Gazetteer - "The sister world of Democracy has been terraformed and is the site for most mining and industrial activity in the system. The world is dense and mineral rich, and is heavily exploited. The combination of a naturally fertile 'organic' world and a heavily industrialised and mineralised artificial world is very successful and many of the wealthiest people of the Federation call the system home."
FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This is Donaldsville spaceport in the Aymiay system in FFED3D-AJ. The average temperature on the planet of Cooperworld is 73°C. Earth is shown in the game as averaging 22°C by the year 3200. It definitely feels more like Cooperworld at the moment! 🥵

Donaldsville on the planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ.Departing Donaldsville starport on the planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ. The ship shown is an Imperial Trader.The planet of Cooperworld in the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ. The average temperature here is 73°C.System description of the Aymiay system (1,4) in FFED3D-AJ.
FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · 2mo ago

PCN Magazine awarded a 10/10 score for #Elite in its October 1984 review. Unlike some other reviews at the time, the article was factually accurate; even the prices were correct! This maximum review score was matched in that week's edition by Roland In Time for the Amstrad CPC.

The front cover of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine for edition 82, 13th October 1984. It depicts a space battle, intended to represent BBC Elite (Acornsoft, 1984). Underneath the graphics, at the bottom of the page, are the words "BBC ELITE. The best computer game ever?"The single-page review of BBC Elite in issue 82 of Personal Computer News (PCN) magazine, October 1984. It is a very positive and accurate synopsis of the game, and concludes with a 10/10 rating.
FrontierAstro@frontierastro.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Ship posters were included in the Firebird and Acornsoft releases of #Elite, although the latter only showed the ships found in the tape version. Of the two, the Acornsoft edition somehow seems more elegant, perhaps like the game itself?

The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Firebird versions of Elite. A total of 16 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.The Ship Identification Chart, as included in the Acornsoft versions of Elite. A total of 7 ships were shown, plus other objects found in the game.