New: Four interactive guides for building 8-bit Elite from Bell and Braben’s original source disks… all in your browser
Covers the #BBCMicro, #Commodore64, #AppleII and 6502 co-pro versions of #Elite
Links in the first section of my deep dives:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
#retrocomputing #8bit
Covers the #BBCMicro, #Commodore64, #AppleII and 6502 co-pro versions of #Elite
Links in the first section of my deep dives:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
#retrocomputing #8bit
Index of all deep dive articles - Elite on the 6502
Index of all deep dive articles about BBC Micro Elite
elite.bbcelite.com
October 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM
New: Four interactive guides for building 8-bit Elite from Bell and Braben’s original source disks… all in your browser
Covers the #BBCMicro, #Commodore64, #AppleII and 6502 co-pro versions of #Elite
Links in the first section of my deep dives:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
#retrocomputing #8bit
Covers the #BBCMicro, #Commodore64, #AppleII and 6502 co-pro versions of #Elite
Links in the first section of my deep dives:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
#retrocomputing #8bit
the donkey fart thorn
actual factual thing
now cottonthistle
history encoded here
folklore explanations too
#tanka #thistle #deep_dives #Greek_Origin #PlinyTheElder #Book27
actual factual thing
now cottonthistle
history encoded here
folklore explanations too
#tanka #thistle #deep_dives #Greek_Origin #PlinyTheElder #Book27
September 1, 2026 at 3:32 PM
the donkey fart thorn
actual factual thing
now cottonthistle
history encoded here
folklore explanations too
#tanka #thistle #deep_dives #Greek_Origin #PlinyTheElder #Book27
actual factual thing
now cottonthistle
history encoded here
folklore explanations too
#tanka #thistle #deep_dives #Greek_Origin #PlinyTheElder #Book27
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
tells us that circles were done with polygons of 64 sides instead of ...
x=0
y=r
d=3-2*R
while(x<=y) {
plot(x,y) (-x,y) (x-y) (-x,-y)
(y,x) (-y,x) (y,-x) (-y,-x)
x+=1
if(d>=0) {
y-=1
d-=4*y
}
d+=4*x+2
}
Maybe Bresenham is slower once again 🫤
tells us that circles were done with polygons of 64 sides instead of ...
x=0
y=r
d=3-2*R
while(x<=y) {
plot(x,y) (-x,y) (x-y) (-x,-y)
(y,x) (-y,x) (y,-x) (-y,-x)
x+=1
if(d>=0) {
y-=1
d-=4*y
}
d+=4*x+2
}
Maybe Bresenham is slower once again 🫤
Drawing circles - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into drawing circles in Elite on the 6502
elite.bbcelite.com
June 2, 2026 at 8:12 PM
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
tells us that circles were done with polygons of 64 sides instead of ...
x=0
y=r
d=3-2*R
while(x<=y) {
plot(x,y) (-x,y) (x-y) (-x,-y)
(y,x) (-y,x) (y,-x) (-y,-x)
x+=1
if(d>=0) {
y-=1
d-=4*y
}
d+=4*x+2
}
Maybe Bresenham is slower once again 🫤
tells us that circles were done with polygons of 64 sides instead of ...
x=0
y=r
d=3-2*R
while(x<=y) {
plot(x,y) (-x,y) (x-y) (-x,-y)
(y,x) (-y,x) (y,-x) (-y,-x)
x+=1
if(d>=0) {
y-=1
d-=4*y
}
d+=4*x+2
}
Maybe Bresenham is slower once again 🫤
@markmoxon hey, was just looking at https://lander.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/generating_the_landscape.html (I was noodling on a thing to draw landscapes while on my exercise bike, and thought using the Lander hills would be a nice easter egg) and found a couple of issues:
"then we get this formula […]
"then we get this formula […]
Original post on hachyderm.io
hachyderm.io
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
@markmoxon hey, was just looking at https://lander.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/generating_the_landscape.html (I was noodling on a thing to draw landscapes while on my exercise bike, and thought using the Lander hills would be a nice easter egg) and found a couple of issues:
"then we get this formula […]
"then we get this formula […]
I spent about about two years trying to reverse engineer the trick from first principles with no context or training, as a child, but these days it's all beautifully documented, with source, over on this lovely website elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
Twisting the system seeds - Elite on the BBC Micro and NES
A deep dive into twisting the system seeds in BBC Micro Elite
elite.bbcelite.com
September 20, 2024 at 2:26 PM
I spent about about two years trying to reverse engineer the trick from first principles with no context or training, as a child, but these days it's all beautifully documented, with source, over on this lovely website elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
“as we begin to live more and more of our lives online, and institutions surveil and interact with us digitally, our data selves become just as real as our physical selves” @triciawang
You are not your data but your data is still you by @deep_dives
deepdives.in/you-are-not-yo…
You are not your data but your data is still you by @deep_dives
deepdives.in/you-are-not-yo…
You are not your data but your data is still you
by Tricia Wang
deepdives.in
January 11, 2025 at 7:04 PM
“as we begin to live more and more of our lives online, and institutions surveil and interact with us digitally, our data selves become just as real as our physical selves” @triciawang
You are not your data but your data is still you by @deep_dives
deepdives.in/you-are-not-yo…
You are not your data but your data is still you by @deep_dives
deepdives.in/you-are-not-yo…
Absolute wizardry - elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Drawing pixels in the NES version - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into how the NES version of Elite pokes pixels into the console's tile-based screen
elite.bbcelite.com
March 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Absolute wizardry - elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
The prices, by the way, change over time: Mark Moxon has a write up on that as well: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/m...
What's important is that you can't be exactly sure what the price is going to be on the far end of your trip--but you can guess based on the kind of planet it is.
What's important is that you can't be exactly sure what the price is going to be on the far end of your trip--but you can guess based on the kind of planet it is.
Market item prices and availability - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into market item prices and availability in BBC Micro Elite
elite.bbcelite.com
December 21, 2024 at 12:22 AM
The prices, by the way, change over time: Mark Moxon has a write up on that as well: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/m...
What's important is that you can't be exactly sure what the price is going to be on the far end of your trip--but you can guess based on the kind of planet it is.
What's important is that you can't be exactly sure what the price is going to be on the far end of your trip--but you can guess based on the kind of planet it is.
The planet generator had a number of different dependent variables, such as calculating the tech level via the economy and government type.
Modern PCG might roll a die, but Elite directly grabbed bits from the seed.
Mark Moxon has a deep dive into how it works: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/g...
Modern PCG might roll a die, but Elite directly grabbed bits from the seed.
Mark Moxon has a deep dive into how it works: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/g...
December 21, 2024 at 12:05 AM
The planet generator had a number of different dependent variables, such as calculating the tech level via the economy and government type.
Modern PCG might roll a die, but Elite directly grabbed bits from the seed.
Mark Moxon has a deep dive into how it works: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/g...
Modern PCG might roll a die, but Elite directly grabbed bits from the seed.
Mark Moxon has a deep dive into how it works: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/g...
Elite Magic Unchained .....
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/c...
Open your eyes to the foundations of the Elite Legend.
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/c...
Open your eyes to the foundations of the Elite Legend.
January 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Elite Magic Unchained .....
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/c...
Open your eyes to the foundations of the Elite Legend.
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/c...
Open your eyes to the foundations of the Elite Legend.
We developers today think we're all pretty clever, getting our reactive web app or super mobile app out. We don't know shit compared to game devs in the 80's: revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/h...
Hidden secrets of the custom screen mode - Revs on the BBC Micro
A deep dive into hidden secrets of the custom screen mode in BBC Micro Revs
revs.bbcelite.com
December 10, 2024 at 6:48 PM
We developers today think we're all pretty clever, getting our reactive web app or super mobile app out. We don't know shit compared to game devs in the 80's: revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/h...
Vor allem der hier: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Drawing pixels in the NES version - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into how the NES version of Elite pokes pixels into the console's tile-based screen
elite.bbcelite.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Vor allem der hier: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Here’s a deep dive on the subject with links into the relevant source code:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/p...
No idea how this relates to gimbal lock, but it’s a pretty simple model. The AI pilot is an aggressive ship, main steering algorithm is in parts 3, 4 and 7.
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/p...
No idea how this relates to gimbal lock, but it’s a pretty simple model. The AI pilot is an aggressive ship, main steering algorithm is in parts 3, 4 and 7.
Program flow of the tactics routine - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into the program flow of the tactics routine in Elite on the 6502
elite.bbcelite.com
June 25, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Here’s a deep dive on the subject with links into the relevant source code:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/p...
No idea how this relates to gimbal lock, but it’s a pretty simple model. The AI pilot is an aggressive ship, main steering algorithm is in parts 3, 4 and 7.
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/p...
No idea how this relates to gimbal lock, but it’s a pretty simple model. The AI pilot is an aggressive ship, main steering algorithm is in parts 3, 4 and 7.
I have yet to add the demo to the article, but you can read about the rest of the Elite Source Code Family Tree here:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
This is what software archaeology is all about!
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
This is what software archaeology is all about!
The Elite source code family tree - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into the history and relationships between the different source codes in 6502 Elite
elite.bbcelite.com
April 26, 2026 at 6:53 PM
I have yet to add the demo to the article, but you can read about the rest of the Elite Source Code Family Tree here:
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
This is what software archaeology is all about!
elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
This is what software archaeology is all about!
Yeah, it’s one of those fun Elite rabbit holes! There are three demo modes in 6502 Elite: this one, the 6502 Second Processor demo, and the combat demo in NES Elite.
I've documented the other two, now for this one!
NES: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
6502SP: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/6...
I've documented the other two, now for this one!
NES: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
6502SP: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/6...
The NES combat demo - Elite on the 6502
A deep dive into the combat demo in NES Elite
elite.bbcelite.com
April 19, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Yeah, it’s one of those fun Elite rabbit holes! There are three demo modes in 6502 Elite: this one, the 6502 Second Processor demo, and the combat demo in NES Elite.
I've documented the other two, now for this one!
NES: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
6502SP: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/6...
I've documented the other two, now for this one!
NES: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
6502SP: elite.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/6...
Time for my last batch of deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game.
This one's a mixed bunch of miscellaneous topics, from anti-cracker code to hidden snippets of original source code. Short and sweet!
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Enjoy…
#retrocomputing #c64
This one's a mixed bunch of miscellaneous topics, from anti-cracker code to hidden snippets of original source code. Short and sweet!
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Enjoy…
#retrocomputing #c64
Index of all deep dive articles - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Index of all deep dive articles about The Sentinel
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
April 11, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Time for my last batch of deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game.
This one's a mixed bunch of miscellaneous topics, from anti-cracker code to hidden snippets of original source code. Short and sweet!
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Enjoy…
#retrocomputing #c64
This one's a mixed bunch of miscellaneous topics, from anti-cracker code to hidden snippets of original source code. Short and sweet!
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Enjoy…
#retrocomputing #c64
What links The Sentinel with "Every Breath You Take"?
Why, it’s the minor added 9th chord, of course!
And the fact that they’re both 1980s classics
Find out more in batch #10 of my deep dives:
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #11 (last one!) soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Why, it’s the minor added 9th chord, of course!
And the fact that they’re both 1980s classics
Find out more in batch #10 of my deep dives:
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #11 (last one!) soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
April 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
What links The Sentinel with "Every Breath You Take"?
Why, it’s the minor added 9th chord, of course!
And the fact that they’re both 1980s classics
Find out more in batch #10 of my deep dives:
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #11 (last one!) soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Why, it’s the minor added 9th chord, of course!
And the fact that they’re both 1980s classics
Find out more in batch #10 of my deep dives:
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #11 (last one!) soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Find out how the Sentinel thinks with my latest deep dives
Batch #9 covers enemy tactics, and following the gaze vector to work out what the player and enemies can see in the 3D world
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #10 (sound & music) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Batch #9 covers enemy tactics, and following the gaze vector to work out what the player and enemies can see in the 3D world
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #10 (sound & music) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Index of all deep dive articles - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Index of all deep dive articles about The Sentinel
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
April 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Find out how the Sentinel thinks with my latest deep dives
Batch #9 covers enemy tactics, and following the gaze vector to work out what the player and enemies can see in the 3D world
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #10 (sound & music) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
Batch #9 covers enemy tactics, and following the gaze vector to work out what the player and enemies can see in the 3D world
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #10 (sound & music) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #bbcmicro
New release: deep dives #37 to #40 for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game
This batch (#8) is a small release, covering the title screens, energy icons and scanner
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #9 is still in the oven, coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
This batch (#8) is a small release, covering the title screens, energy icons and scanner
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #9 is still in the oven, coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Index of all deep dive articles - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Index of all deep dive articles about The Sentinel
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
April 2, 2026 at 4:18 PM
New release: deep dives #37 to #40 for The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game
This batch (#8) is a small release, covering the title screens, energy icons and scanner
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #9 is still in the oven, coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
This batch (#8) is a small release, covering the title screens, energy icons and scanner
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #9 is still in the oven, coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
I've just completed 70% of my planned 50+ deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game
Batch #7 is now ready: 4 new articles about drawing the 3D landscape, ray-casting and quadrants
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #8 coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Batch #7 is now ready: 4 new articles about drawing the 3D landscape, ray-casting and quadrants
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #8 coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Index of all deep dive articles - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Index of all deep dive articles about The Sentinel
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
March 26, 2026 at 4:57 PM
I've just completed 70% of my planned 50+ deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game
Batch #7 is now ready: 4 new articles about drawing the 3D landscape, ray-casting and quadrants
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #8 coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Batch #7 is now ready: 4 new articles about drawing the 3D landscape, ray-casting and quadrants
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #8 coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
It is! It reminds me of when I realised that the code in Revs is literally shaped in memory like a racing car. Because the code has to fit around the track screen buffers, and they are shaped like the on-screen track that they buffer.
Mind. Blown.
Crammond! 🫡
revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Mind. Blown.
Crammond! 🫡
revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Drawing around the dashboard - Revs on the BBC Micro
A deep dive into drawing around the dashboard in BBC Micro Revs
revs.bbcelite.com
March 21, 2026 at 9:42 PM
It is! It reminds me of when I realised that the code in Revs is literally shaped in memory like a racing car. Because the code has to fit around the track screen buffers, and they are shaped like the on-screen track that they buffer.
Mind. Blown.
Crammond! 🫡
revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Mind. Blown.
Crammond! 🫡
revs.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/d...
Time for some more deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game!
Batch #6 is now ready: 3 new articles about screen buffers, panning, scrolling and dithering
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #7 (drawing the landscape) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Batch #6 is now ready: 3 new articles about screen buffers, panning, scrolling and dithering
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #7 (drawing the landscape) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Index of all deep dive articles - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
Index of all deep dive articles about The Sentinel
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
March 18, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Time for some more deep dives into The Sentinel, Geoff Crammond's epic #BBCMicro game!
Batch #6 is now ready: 3 new articles about screen buffers, panning, scrolling and dithering
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #7 (drawing the landscape) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
Batch #6 is now ready: 3 new articles about screen buffers, panning, scrolling and dithering
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives
Batch #7 (drawing the landscape) coming soon
Enjoy!
#retrocomputing #c64 #8bit
The highlight in this batch is the dive into the plate carrée equirectangular projection system used in The Sentinel.
Did you know it comes straight from Revs? So without Revs there would be no Sentinel?
Told you Revs was the GOAT. 🫡
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
Did you know it comes straight from Revs? So without Revs there would be no Sentinel?
Told you Revs was the GOAT. 🫡
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
The projection system - The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
A deep dive into the projection system in The Sentinel on the BBC Micro
thesentinel.bbcelite.com
March 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
The highlight in this batch is the dive into the plate carrée equirectangular projection system used in The Sentinel.
Did you know it comes straight from Revs? So without Revs there would be no Sentinel?
Told you Revs was the GOAT. 🫡
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...
Did you know it comes straight from Revs? So without Revs there would be no Sentinel?
Told you Revs was the GOAT. 🫡
thesentinel.bbcelite.com/deep_dives/t...