Elite / Frontier ZX Spectrum 128k Elite "3" - 1993

[Arioch]

Thanks @Arioch. On those star systems that appear close enough each other (making it impossible to make a jump between them directly). There are similar issue in Elite Plus too. That's probably because star chart isn't 2-dimensional, all systems have 3 coordinates. If X and Y are close enough to mark same spot, Z still differs. If systems A and B are close enough not to allow direct jump, going via C allows jump to either system. Can't recall how it is exactly in Elite Plus, but I think there must be at least 0.8ly between systems to allow direct jump. Shorter than that and galactic navigation chart cannot make difference between systems if being either of those.

It think this feature is present in every version of Classical Elite.

I was unable to jump to Cecees (as per post #36) even from an outside system - I always ended at the "underneath" star. I tried typing the name into the GalMap, which selected it and set it as destination but the game would still display the system info for Esusale and only jump there.

An unreachable system, hidden in plain sight. I'm sure it's a total coincidence that Cecees has exactly the same amount of letters as Raxxla...

 

[drew]

There's also a system called (I think) Oresrati in the 8th galaxy which is a dead end. You can only get to it from Galactic Chart 7 via galactic hyperspace because it's more than 7 light years from the next nearest system and its tech level is too low to buy a GH when you're there, so you're effectively stuck forever.

Cheers,

Drew.

 

[Arioch]

There's also a system called (I think) Oresrati in the 8th galaxy which is a dead end. You can only get to it from Galactic Chart 7 via galactic hyperspace because it's more than 7 light years from the next nearest system and its tech level is too low to buy a GH when you're there, so you're effectively stuck forever.

Cheers,

Drew.

You are correct, I flew past there yesterday - it’s in the SW corner of the map:

I’m sure their unusual casinos are based in hotels named “California” and the deadly earthquakes are caused by Cobra III’s who have misjudged an attempted Torus drive slingshot manoeuvre

 

[Nothoria Infama]

There's also a system called (I think) Oresrati in the 8th galaxy which is a dead end. You can only get to it from Galactic Chart 7 via galactic hyperspace because it's more than 7 light years from the next nearest system and its tech level is too low to buy a GH when you're there, so you're effectively stuck forever.

Cheers,

Drew.

If galaxy generation algorithm are same for this version of Elite than they are for Oolite and Elite Plus as immediate examples, then there are unreachable star systems in galaxies 3, 6, 7, and 8 not counting possible version-specific systems in a X or Y galaxy. If there are systems too close each other, but still theoretically reachable (within 7.0 ly) from some system in some galaxy in various versions of Classical Elite, I don't know, but at least following star charts contain unreachable systems/clusters in Elite Plus too.

Oolite planet list/Galaxy 3 - Elite Wiki

wiki.alioth.net

Oolite planet list/Galaxy 6 - Elite Wiki

wiki.alioth.net

Oolite planet list/Galaxy 7 - Elite Wiki

wiki.alioth.net

Oolite planet list/Galaxy 8 - Elite Wiki

wiki.alioth.net

A route via witch space misjump could maybe still possible way to get across those >7.0ly ruptures of the space time continuum. That's what I try get triggered (for years already) in Elite plus (in which The Witch Space is not the place to hang too long if you can avoid it - probably the most lethal Witch Space of all classical Elite versions, even if the game itself is the easiest one).

 

[Arioch]

Nearly 36 years after buying the game for my brother’s Electron and 34 since I got it for my Speccy...

...I’ve finally done it!

A Galactic Hyperdrive was soon purchased for the trip back to Gal Chart 1 and the circle was completed upon arrival at Lave. Just two further jumps were required of my trusty Cobra III...

...which seems a fitting resting place for the old ferrum bum. Should any descendant of my Commander find the old gal in the Graveyard, I hope they find the secret compartment...

 

[Dimushka]

You can find a page for this modification over at World of Spectrum, along with its documentation in the "HELP!" RTF document towards the end of the page.

World of Spectrum - Elite 3

Elite 3 (Shadow Soft)

www.worldofspectrum.org

Never played it, but the new features sounds pretty cool TBH - ships also fight each other & will scoop cargo!
Btw - The new ship you found is an Advanced Mamba B-Type, there's also a Gecko Mk2.

The Russian site EliteGames.ru has a little discussion here about the various versions of Elite on the spectrum:

Канал Elite (Elite Games)

www.elite-games.ru

I'm not sure if it's a continuation of the same modification that you have, but a user there named Dimushka was still updating his own variant as late as 2018:

ELITE THD + D - Фитнес, бодибилдинг

Моя собственная модификация разработки THD 1993 года для ZX Spectrum. Чем меня не устроила уже известная ELITE III THD? Загибаем пальцы: Осталась ошибка оригинальной ELITE: при ловле контейнера с контрабандным грузом понижается правовой статус. За что? По внешнему виду тюка нельзя судить о...

dimushka.ru

(If you use Chrome, it'll automatically translate these pages)

HTH!

I no longer support site, but still play mine own Elite version. Write via vk.com/dimushk if interested. I can send archive including game files. Brief info:
1. No more "Ship boarded by pirates".
2. No legal rating decreasing if unfortunately catch "bad" container in space. Just sell it on Coriolis, you could also release slaves via 5 station menu and take some dough for it.
3. Supplementary menu inside Coriolis via 5 button.
3.1 Pass slaves to the law and adopt recompense.
3.2 Buy cool equipment for your Cobra.
3.3 Some illegal facilities.
Actually there are many things, but what you can catch containers without fear is the main. See attached.

 

[Arioch]

I no longer support site, but still play mine own Elite version. Write via vk.com/dimushk if interested. I can send archive including game files. Brief info:
1. No more "Ship boarded by pirates".
2. No legal rating decreasing if unfortunately catch "bad" container in space. Just sell it on Coriolis, you could also release slaves via 5 station menu and take some dough for it.
3. Supplementary menu inside Coriolis via 5 button.
3.1 Pass slaves to the law and adopt recompense.
3.2 Buy cool equipment for your Cobra.
3.3 Some illegal facilities.
Actually there are many things, but what you can catch containers without fear is the main. See attached.

Hi Dimushka, I’ve got the urge for some 8-bit Elite again and have had a quick go on the version you provided in your post - it looks really good, but I was wondering if there was a way to have the “classic” radar display instead of the angular one?

On an earlier version of Elite 3 the player could pause the game and press L to switch between the radar types but that doesn’t seem to work with Elite 3 THD D - is the new radar permanent or can it be changed somehow?

 

[alexad]

I've managed to find an old interview about the ZX Spectrum port of Elite. Makes for interesting reading!

View attachment 174468

View attachment 174470

Cheers,

Drew.

Here's the clearer version. It's easier to read

Amtix Magazine Issue 13 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

Hope this helps

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

Here's the clearer version. It's easier to read

Amtix Magazine Issue 13 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

archive.org

Hope this helps

Elite was inspired by Traveller? The RPG?