Games part of the Elite series

The Elite series is a space trading and combat video game franchise that has had a significant impact on the gaming industry since its inception in the 1980s. It was created by David Braben and Ian Bell and first released in 1984 by Acornsoft for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers. The series is known for its open-ended gameplay, realistic space simulation, and pioneering 3D graphics.

The original Elite is set in a vast, procedurally generated galaxy in the year 3125, where players take on the role of a spaceship pilot with the freedom to explore, trade, and engage in combat across various star systems. Players start with a small amount of money and a basic spacecraft and can choose their own path, whether it be trading goods between planets, hunting down pirates, or becoming a bounty hunter.

The game's open-world design, coupled with its advanced graphics and complex mechanics for its time, made it a critical and commercial success. It was highly influential, inspiring numerous other space exploration and trading games, as well as shaping the emerging genre of sandbox video games.