Trade between countless planets, using the proceeds to equip your ship with heat-seeking missiles, beam lasers and other weapons - corporate states can be approached without risk, but unruly anarchies may be swarming with space pirates. Black market trading can be lucrative but could result in skirmishes with local police and a price on your head!

However you make your money, by fair means or foul, you must blast onwards through space annihilating pirate ships and hostile aliens as you strive to earn your reputation as one of the Elite!

Elite was released on the BBC Model B in 1984, by Ian Bell and David Braben.

Over the years, the Elite series of games has grown and evolved, starting all the way from the first Elite (published on this very day in 1984) to the Elite Dangerous we have today!

For the 35th anniversary of Elite 1984, we want to look back and celebrate each and every Commander who has shared this incredible ride with us. 

Haven't had the chance to earn your wings in the iconic Elite? You can claim your free copy for PC and Mac on the Frontier Store here.

As a gift for every Commander, the Retro Thargoid Bobblehead will be available in the in-game store (for 1 ARX) until 23 September (16:00 UTC).

Competition

We've got 35 Cobra MK III Classic Wireframe Paint Jobs to give away!

To be in with the chance to win one of these Paint Jobs, reply to this thread on the Forum with your favourite memory playing one of the Elite games. Don't forget to include your Commander Name to be eligible to win! 

The competition will run from now until 23 September (11:00 UTC) and winners will be contacted by 25 September (11:00 UTC). With the aid of the Elite Dangerous development team, our top 35 favourite comments will be rewarded with the Paint Job. 

You can also get involved over on Steam, Twitter and Facebook. 

Whether you've only just donned your flight suit, or you've been with us over the last 35 years, thank you for all of your passion and support! 

Fly safe.