AtariBaby42 has recently rolled out a new mod for the classic space trading game Elite, aiming to bring the Amiga and Atari ST versions much closer to their 8-bit roots with some enhancements to boot. Driven by a long-standing frustration with the original 16-bit releases—specifically how the projectile weapons felt out of place—the creator teamed up with ChatGPT to rewrite the combat mechanics. The newly released playable build swaps out those clunky projectiles for authentic, retro-style lasers. To complete the classic experience, both Beam and Military lasers have been upgraded with brand-new firing audio.
Furthermore according to the creator, the update strips away some of the 16-bit clutter while giving the underlying mechanics a major tune-up. The iconic ELITE logo has been completely removed from beneath the scanner to keep players fully immersed, and the starfield background has been reworked for smoother, sharper visuals. Under the hood, players will notice tighter ship handling and more responsive speed controls, alongside a host of bug fixes detailed in the project's changelog. Interestingly, because the Amiga version was never built from its own original source code, AtariBaby42 actually adapted the Atari ST code as the foundation for this mod, seamlessly layering in the nostalgic music and sound effects from the original Amiga disk.
(ChatGPT AI used)
Links :1) Discussion 2) Download
Well, that all sounds great - and the star field does look better. But what I was really hoping for was that the horrible cockpit interior be thrown out and replaced by a more elegant design, or, failing that, replaced by the original wire-frame design. It just looks better. And while they're at it, I'd like all the 2-D presentation graphics to be thrown out as well - they're awful. In fact, this game needs a completely new visual design and colour scheme that is more in keeping with the "Elite" look.
ReplyDeleteThankfully it's constantly being worked on, here's the latest " Atari ST: Increased engine volume and lowered its pitch to better match Amiga.
DeleteAmiga: Increased engine volume and added short fade-in/out ramps to reduce clicks when the sound starts or stops."
dev responded "I actually like Atari/Amiga cockpit design but I will try introduce options for more lines art cockpit as ZX Spectrum Elite that I grown up on, same as I changed yellow C64 cockpit in my C64 Elite mod ( https://ataribaby42.github.io/elite-source-code-commodore-64/ ) and I will also try redraw bitmap pixel art to something more traditional as another option."
DeleteHello, I actually like Atari/Amiga Elite cockpit but I see what can be done to include alternate more classic cockpit view in future so ppl can choose. I love clean smooth design of ZX Spectrum Elite. So slick and modern to me with simple lines black and white cockpit with color background for indicators. I will try do this or similar ro C64 mod ( https://ataribaby42.github.io/elite-source-code-commodore-64/ ) where I changed yellow cockpit to be more in line with ZX Spectrum version and also some less alien more tech cockpit pixel art. This two options with original atari/amiga cockpit will probably satisfy everyone or majority.
ReplyDeleteDunno why my first comment didn't made it thru so I will try again.
ReplyDeleteI actually like Atari/Amiga cockpit design but I will try introduce options for more lines art cockpit as ZX Spectrum Elite that I grown up on, same as I changed yellow C64 cockpit in my C64 Elite mod ( https://ataribaby42.github.io/elite-source-code-commodore-64/ ) and I will also try redraw bitmap pixel art to something more traditional as another option.
Was out doing boring chores :) Came back and approved!
DeleteHehe, thanks, I got it eventually that posts needs to be approved. Sorry about double post.
DeleteHonestly, the original Amiga port was a lazy cash grab and completely failed to use the 16 bit capabilities. I hope that with the use of modern tool (cough, cough AI), we can start to see some improvements.... you know, like using blitter fill polygon instead for CPU. Of course, this would require a complete rework of the game engine but it's worth it!
ReplyDeleteAs most games that are on both formats those days. Yes blitter for Amiga (maybe Atari ST blitter as well) is interesting idea. On my todo list now.
ReplyDeleteThank you sir. Look forward to seeing your work. Doesn't have to run silky smooth like No Second Prize, but I would say 15-20 FPS for stock Amiga (and may be 30% more if it had fast ram) would be nice goal for blitter fill upgrade!
DeleteGame is pegged at 16.7 FPS on PAL and little more on NTSC
DeleteThe Atari ST version was very good at the time. I didn't like this video, complete waste of time, didn't really show anything. I will reserve judgement for now. The cockpit view was fine in the Atari ST and Amiga Versions. To me, I enjoyed the Amiga version as much as the Atari ST version, with the Atari ST version being alittle slower when using your Energy Bomb. The only thing I didn't like was being caught by a Thargoid at the beginning when you either hyperwarped or jumped. In this new version, I would give a few options at the beginning, like an easy, medium, hard setting. Easy could be you start with a Docking Computer and say a Beam Laser (Helps with the Thargoid issue) with some cash for trading. Medium could be a docking computer and some cash, whilst Hard would be just some cash to trade. Loved this game on both systems.
ReplyDeleteYes I actualy like Atari/Amiga version very much. Cockpit and vibrant colors as well. I really think it is unique Elite version on its own. What I completly hated was change for projectile based "lasers" and that I fixed in my version back to original BBC lasers lore.
DeleteAbout different start. I plan solve this to supply save game floppy image with alternate starts as you described. I do not plan include this start option into game directly.
About vibrant cockpit colors I already have solution in mind. I will prepare alternate gray "steel" recolor of cockpit as option probably toggleable via ingame options during run time.
Please try this version especialy combat balance compared to original as you played original a lot. Thank you.
About video, I agree it shop probably onlu new pulse laser implementation and nothing more. I didn't make it thogh.
DeleteTo be fair it is bit hard to showcase Elite mod and new features in short video. So I am still happy for it as it will widespread mod to more ppl.
DeleteSo here is a teaser for the biggest and most complex edit.
Deletehttps://youtu.be/VYyVAwAeA8k
The player is no longer the center of the universe. Even the ships now fight with each other independently of the player. The pirates attack the merchants, the merchants fight back, the police Vipers attack the pirates, and everyone attacks the Thargoids, who attack everything. A player can fly into an ongoing skirmish.
It will be in next v1.60. I just have to fix that rebellious police officer in Viper who hit me at the end of the station.
Nice one and thank you for all the updates :)
DeleteThanks IndieRetroNews, I love Elite in any form. C64 modded version is already finished https://ataribaby42.github.io/elite-source-code-commodore-64/ You can buy and pilot different ships there. I do not plan this feature for amiga version. At least not now.
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