Elite 4
Encyclopedia
Elite 4 is a video game proposed by Frontier Developments
, specifically by David Braben
.
, wrote for the BBC Micro
computer, and which was ported to most other platforms of the day. The first two sequels, Frontier: Elite II and Frontier: First Encounters, were released in the 1990s, after Braben and Bell had had an acrimonious falling out. David Braben has stated production of Elite 4 is ready to begin after the release of The Outsider
. During a lecture in June, 2009, Braben confirmed that Elite IV will be available on multiple console platforms, as well as on PC.
conducted an interview with David Braben in which the subject of Elite 4 came up. Braben revealed that Elite 4 began and ceased development as an MMORPG
in 2000, abandoned due to the immaturity of technology for online play. When asked if the game would ever be released, Braben responded "We will do Elite 4 after Outsider
, so it will benefit from everything we've done in Outsider." Braben repeated this claim in a Game Theory Show podcast in August 2007.
in September 2007, Braben revealed that Frontier Developments is currently working on new technologies required to deliver the game, and has been for two years.
At the Gamecity International Interactive Entertainment Festival 2007 event in Nottingham
UK, it was revealed that Braben and Frontier Developments are aiming to have Elite 4 released for the current generation
of gaming consoles and PC. Also at the event, Braben, during an interview about courses teaching game development in the UK, revealed that Frontier Developments is recruiting staff to work on their current projects, including Elite 4.
in Germany, David Braben
hinted that an announcement regarding the game's release would come in 2008. Braben stated that the new version "would certainly need a better interface, or at least one which is easier to use for modern gamers."
In an interview with the BBC to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original game, Braben confirmed that the game was still in development, saying, "We'd be mad not to go back to the world of Elite and I'm very excited about it," and adding that it would be released only "when its ready." . Supposed platforms are the PC
, PlayStation 3
and Xbox 360
.
However, Elite 4 has been removed from the 'in-development' section of Frontier Developments — making the current status of its development unclear. In addition, Frontier Developments no longer has any links to the website for the game.
Frontier Developments
Frontier Developments is a video game developer based in Cambridge, England. It is a private limited company and was incorporated in January 1994. The company is still headed by David Braben, in the position of Chairman....
, specifically by David Braben
David Braben
David John Braben is a British computer programmer, best known for co-writing Elite, a hugely popular and influential space trading computer game, in the early 1980s.-Life and work:...
.
Third sequel
Elite 4 will be the third sequel to 1984's Elite, a game that Braben and his former associate, Ian BellIan Bell (programmer)
Ian Colin Graham Bell is a game programmer, game designer and game producer. He is most famous for co-authoring the computer game Elite .He attended the independent St Albans School...
, wrote for the BBC Micro
BBC Micro
The BBC Microcomputer System, or BBC Micro, was a series of microcomputers and associated peripherals designed and built by Acorn Computers for the BBC Computer Literacy Project, operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation...
computer, and which was ported to most other platforms of the day. The first two sequels, Frontier: Elite II and Frontier: First Encounters, were released in the 1990s, after Braben and Bell had had an acrimonious falling out. David Braben has stated production of Elite 4 is ready to begin after the release of The Outsider
The Outsider (video game)
The Outsider is a "techno thriller" video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 that will feature storylines that change based on the player's actions. It is currently under development by David Braben's Frontier Developments. The release date has not officially been...
. During a lecture in June, 2009, Braben confirmed that Elite IV will be available on multiple console platforms, as well as on PC.
2006
In November 2006, GameSpotGameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
conducted an interview with David Braben in which the subject of Elite 4 came up. Braben revealed that Elite 4 began and ceased development as an MMORPG
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
in 2000, abandoned due to the immaturity of technology for online play. When asked if the game would ever be released, Braben responded "We will do Elite 4 after Outsider
The Outsider (video game)
The Outsider is a "techno thriller" video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 that will feature storylines that change based on the player's actions. It is currently under development by David Braben's Frontier Developments. The release date has not officially been...
, so it will benefit from everything we've done in Outsider." Braben repeated this claim in a Game Theory Show podcast in August 2007.
2007
During an interview with Computer and Video GamesComputer and video games
A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device, but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of...
in September 2007, Braben revealed that Frontier Developments is currently working on new technologies required to deliver the game, and has been for two years.
At the Gamecity International Interactive Entertainment Festival 2007 event in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
UK, it was revealed that Braben and Frontier Developments are aiming to have Elite 4 released for the current generation
History of video game consoles (seventh generation)
In the history of video games, the seventh generation of consoles is the current generation , and includes consoles released since late by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony...
of gaming consoles and PC. Also at the event, Braben, during an interview about courses teaching game development in the UK, revealed that Frontier Developments is recruiting staff to work on their current projects, including Elite 4.
2008
At the 2008 Game Developers ConferenceGame Developers Conference
The Game Developers Conference is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers, focusing on learning, inspiration, and networking...
in Germany, David Braben
David Braben
David John Braben is a British computer programmer, best known for co-writing Elite, a hugely popular and influential space trading computer game, in the early 1980s.-Life and work:...
hinted that an announcement regarding the game's release would come in 2008. Braben stated that the new version "would certainly need a better interface, or at least one which is easier to use for modern gamers."
2009
In 2009, the game was said to be under development.In an interview with the BBC to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original game, Braben confirmed that the game was still in development, saying, "We'd be mad not to go back to the world of Elite and I'm very excited about it," and adding that it would be released only "when its ready." . Supposed platforms are the PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
, PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
.
2010
In May 2010, Braben told Eurogamer that there had been staff changes, but that "our commitment to the game is as strong as ever."However, Elite 4 has been removed from the 'in-development' section of Frontier Developments — making the current status of its development unclear. In addition, Frontier Developments no longer has any links to the website for the game.