Elite: The New Kind

About

Elite - The New Kind is a Windows remake of Elite built with the Allegro graphics library and DirectX, reaching this Release 1.0 (dated 22 July 2001) after several beta releases. It includes MIDI arrangements of the Elite Theme and 'The Blue Danube,' and its changelog documents incremental work on AI, combat, docking, and save/load behavior across those betas.

How it differs from the original

Its enemy tactics routines were rewritten to be based on NES Elite's rather than the original BBC Micro version's; features from other Elite ports are referenced as still-unimplemented goals at this release, including 'C64 Elite style scoring' and 'Trumbles (from C64/NES Elite).'

Getting started

Running the compiled Windows build requires DirectX installed (included by default on Windows 98/ME/2000/NT4 with the latest service pack, but needing a separate install on Windows 95). It's controlled with function keys for different screens (galactic/local chart, market, equipment, commander info) and letter keys for flight actions like firing, diving, climbing, rolling, and using the docking computer, ECM, missiles, or hyperspace.

History

The project has a documented incremental release history, progressing through Beta 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, and 3.0 before this Release 1.0 (22 July 2001), with a running changelog of bug fixes, AI tactics rewrites, and feature additions like the escape capsule sequence, Thargoids, and a witchspace ambush along the way.

Known issues & limitations

• graphics: Bits of hidden surfaces on ships sometimes show through.
• cargo: Buying more than 255 units of Gold/Platinum does not work, matching original Elite bug.
• Per the README, hidden surfaces on ships sometimes render incorrectly, and buying more than 255g of gold or platinum doesn't work — a bug the author notes also existed in the original Elite ('broken as designed').

Media