Play Elite Online

Elite is a space simulation game originally released in 1987 for MS-DOS systems. Developed by David Braben and Ian Bell, and published in the United States by Telecomsoft, it presents a first-person perspective of a vast, open universe for players to explore. The game is structured around the player's role as a freelance spaceship commander operating within a science fiction setting.

Players control a spacecraft, engaging primarily in interstellar travel and trade between various star systems. A core activity involves buying and selling commodities to earn credits, which can then be used to purchase ship upgrades such as improved weapons, stronger shields, or expanded cargo holds. Beyond trading, players can undertake other professions to generate income, including accepting military contracts, hunting bounties, mining asteroids, or engaging in piracy. The game world is procedurally generated, featuring eight galaxies with a total of 256 planets to visit, though travel is constrained by a ship's limited fuel capacity, requiring strategic planning for longer journeys.

Gameplay unfolds in a wire-frame 3D environment where exploration and combat occur seamlessly. While there is no central narrative, hostile alien ships known as Thargoids provide persistent antagonism, initiating space battles that require the player to maneuver and return fire. Combat is action-based, relying on the player's skill in piloting and utilizing their ship's installed weaponry. Player actions influence a reputation system; for instance, attacking neutral vessels will lower the commander's standing and can eventually attract pursuit from galactic police forces. The experience is largely open-ended, allowing players to define their own path and objectives within the simulated galaxy.