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Elite on the BBC Micro and NES

Compare code for features of 6502SP Elite

The following table shows code variations that are unique to the 6502 Second Processor version.

Click on a name to see all the code differences for that part of the codebase, or click on an individual variation to focus on that particular feature.

NameComments
acorn
Demo
BELL
Sound
BR1 (Part 1 of 2)
Start and end
CHK
Save and load
CHK2
Save and load
CHPR
Text
  • If speech is enabled in the Executive version, the main character routine at CHPR doesn't make standard system beeps any more (though the BELL routine still does).
DEMON
Demo
DK4
Keyboard
E%
Drawing ships
EQSHP
Equipment
executive
Demo
Firebird
Copy protection
FONT%
Text
  • The Executive version uses a unique font, which is based on the 1960s Westminster font (it's similar to the machine-readable font on cheques - "retro-futuristic" is probably what we'd call it these days).
hyp
Flight
K%
Workspaces
LP
Workspaces
Main flight loop (Part 15 of 16)
Main loop
Main game loop (Part 5 of 6)
Main loop
  • The 6502SP version supports a printer (holding CTRL when pressing a red function key will send that screen to the printer). As part of this, the code sends line feeds, which is mainly notable for using the longest label name in the entire source code: dontdolinefeedontheprinternow.
MJP
Flight
  • If speech is enabled on the Executive version, it will say "Oh shit, it's a mis-jump" when we mis-jump into witchspace (this happens with both accidental and manually triggered mis-jumps).
NA% / NA2%
Save and load
  • The Executive version contains a maxed-out default commander, with a different name: Firebud instead of Jameson (the name is presumably a seven-character riff on "Firebird", the publishers of the non-Acorn versions of Elite).
  • The Executive version has bit 7 of the COK competition flags set, to indicate that this commander file has been tampered with (which it has, of course).
Parasite variables
Workspaces
QQ18
Text
  • The Executive version displays distances in the Status and galaxy charts as "L.Y." rather than "LIGHT YEARS" (this saves space in the token table so "SIR" can be added to the tokens for low low and incoming missiles).
  • When energy is low in the Executive version, it shows the in-flight message "ENERGY LOW,SIR", rather than just showing "ENERGY LOW".
  • If you have bought an energy unit, then most versions will show it on the Inventory screen as "Energy Unit", but in the source disc variant of the 6502SP version, it is shown as "Extra Energy Unit" (though it's still "Energy Unit" in the Acornsoft SNG45 release of the game).
  • When missiles are being fired at us in the Executive version, it shows the in-flight message "INCOMING MISSILE,SIR", rather than just showing "INCOMING MISSILE".
RUTOK
Text
SFRMIS
Tactics
SP2
Dashboard
  • The compass on the cassette, disc and Master version uses yellow when the target is in front of us, while the 6502SP version uses white (and so does the Electron version, but only because it's monochrome).
SPEECH
Sound
STARTUP / SETINTS
Loader
  • The Executive version support speech via the Watford Electronics Beeb Speech Synthesiser, which attaches to the user port, so unlike the other versions, the loader doesn't disable the 6522 User VIA.
  • The 6502SP version implements a hook that enables you to add arbitrary code to the start-up process. The code needs to be inserted at location &0B00 in the I/O processor, and it needs to start with the characters "TINA".
STATUS
Status
TALK
Sound
  • The Executive version supports speech, via the TALK routine. Speech will work only if you have a Watford Electronics Beeb Speech Synthesiser fitted and enable speech in the configuration options.
TITLE
Start and end
  • The 6502SP version adds two loop counters to the title screen so we can start the demo after a certain period on the title screen.
  • The 6502SP version only scans for key presses every four iterations on the title screen (as opposed to every iteration in the other versions), so you have to hold down "Y", "N" or Space for noticeably longer to load a commander or start the game.
TRADEMODE
Drawing the screen
true3
Demo
  • The Executive version's demo contains the scroll text "CONGRATULATIONS ON OBTAINING A COPY OF THIS ELUSIVE PRODUCT.", which is shown in place of the "GALAXY IS IN TURMOIL" text.
TT167
Market
TT170
Start and end
  • The Executive version immediately starts the demo once the game has loaded (though just like the other 6502SP versions, you can still bring it up manually using TAB from the title screen, and it will automatically start after a period of inactivity).
TT18
Flight
TT208
Market
TT213
Market
TT219
Market
TT25
Universe
XX21
Drawing ships