Mark Moxon
@markmoxon.bsky.social
Writer, walker, software archaeologist. Back in the day: Editor of Acorn User, Editor of h2g2.
I love analysing old code, and my aim is to create the best code disassemblies you have ever seen.
Purveyor of Elite/Lander/Revs hacks.
www.markmoxon.com
I love analysing old code, and my aim is to create the best code disassemblies you have ever seen.
Purveyor of Elite/Lander/Revs hacks.
www.markmoxon.com
Here’s an example - the iconic box art from the BBC Micro version, brought to life in-game.
And there’s a Commodore 64 version too. You can even swap files between the two, so you can create a scene on a Beeb, save it and play it on a C64.
I really enjoyed building this one, I have to say!
And there’s a Commodore 64 version too. You can even swap files between the two, so you can create a scene on a Beeb, save it and play it on a C64.
I really enjoyed building this one, I have to say!
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Here’s an example - the iconic box art from the BBC Micro version, brought to life in-game.
And there’s a Commodore 64 version too. You can even swap files between the two, so you can create a scene on a Beeb, save it and play it on a C64.
I really enjoyed building this one, I have to say!
And there’s a Commodore 64 version too. You can even swap files between the two, so you can create a scene on a Beeb, save it and play it on a C64.
I really enjoyed building this one, I have to say!
I've finally finished pimping my David Braben-signed BBC Micro B+, and it can now run more variants of Bell & Braben Elite than any other contemporary machine ever.
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I've finally finished pimping my David Braben-signed BBC Micro B+, and it can now run more variants of Bell & Braben Elite than any other contemporary machine ever.
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
The other one might be LK18? If so, it controls whether banks 4 and 5 contain sideways RAM or the two banks in a 32K ROM fitted into IC41. West indicates sideways RAM, which is the shippd position, so this one is also correct, I think?
October 16, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The other one might be LK18? If so, it controls whether banks 4 and 5 contain sideways RAM or the two banks in a 32K ROM fitted into IC41. West indicates sideways RAM, which is the shippd position, so this one is also correct, I think?
I can't tell what the link number for the top one is, the picture is a bit faded. Can you tell which one it is?
The bottom one looks like LK12, which is in position B in shipped Masters (according to the Advanced Master Reference Guide).
The bottom one looks like LK12, which is in position B in shipped Masters (according to the Advanced Master Reference Guide).
October 16, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I can't tell what the link number for the top one is, the picture is a bit faded. Can you tell which one it is?
The bottom one looks like LK12, which is in position B in shipped Masters (according to the Advanced Master Reference Guide).
The bottom one looks like LK12, which is in position B in shipped Masters (according to the Advanced Master Reference Guide).
I'm pleased to announce the #Elite Compendium for the #Acorn #Electron, containing three amazing hacked versions of Elite on one disc.
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
August 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I'm pleased to announce the #Elite Compendium for the #Acorn #Electron, containing three amazing hacked versions of Elite on one disc.
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
The incomparable @negativecharge.bsky.social recently converted the Commodore 64 Elite music to the Electron.
I've finally found time to add it to Electron Elite.
Here's the docking computer in all its one-channel glory.
Turn your sound on!
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #electron #bbcmicro #8bit
I've finally found time to add it to Electron Elite.
Here's the docking computer in all its one-channel glory.
Turn your sound on!
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #electron #bbcmicro #8bit
August 13, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The incomparable @negativecharge.bsky.social recently converted the Commodore 64 Elite music to the Electron.
I've finally found time to add it to Electron Elite.
Here's the docking computer in all its one-channel glory.
Turn your sound on!
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #electron #bbcmicro #8bit
I've finally found time to add it to Electron Elite.
Here's the docking computer in all its one-channel glory.
Turn your sound on!
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #electron #bbcmicro #8bit
Look at this little beauty! It's my new BBC Micro B+, signed by David Braben himself, and it’s the inspiration for my latest project:
"BBC Master Elite, backported to run on the unexpanded B+, and with lots of extra features"
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
"BBC Master Elite, backported to run on the unexpanded B+, and with lots of extra features"
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
August 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Look at this little beauty! It's my new BBC Micro B+, signed by David Braben himself, and it’s the inspiration for my latest project:
"BBC Master Elite, backported to run on the unexpanded B+, and with lots of extra features"
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
"BBC Master Elite, backported to run on the unexpanded B+, and with lots of extra features"
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
My new project is a version of BBC Master Elite, but with a twist.
Sure, it’s pretty niche, but this has never been done before, which is always fun.
Can you tell what it is yet? The clue's in the clip...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
Sure, it’s pretty niche, but this has never been done before, which is always fun.
Can you tell what it is yet? The clue's in the clip...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
July 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
My new project is a version of BBC Master Elite, but with a twist.
Sure, it’s pretty niche, but this has never been done before, which is always fun.
Can you tell what it is yet? The clue's in the clip...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
Sure, it’s pretty niche, but this has never been done before, which is always fun.
Can you tell what it is yet? The clue's in the clip...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro #8bit #elite
It's done! I have just released the Compendium version of #Elite for the #Acorn #Electron.
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
July 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It's done! I have just released the Compendium version of #Elite for the #Acorn #Electron.
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
Today's addition to #Acorn #Electron #Elite is the energy bomb animation from the Apple II, BBC Master and NES.
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
July 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Today's addition to #Acorn #Electron #Elite is the energy bomb animation from the Apple II, BBC Master and NES.
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
The Compendium version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite now has missions - three of them, in fact.
Here's the briefing for the Constrictor mission, backported from the #BBCMicro; I've also ported the Thargoid plans mission, and the Trumbles from the #C64 and #NES. 🫡
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
Here's the briefing for the Constrictor mission, backported from the #BBCMicro; I've also ported the Thargoid plans mission, and the Trumbles from the #C64 and #NES. 🫡
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
July 5, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The Compendium version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite now has missions - three of them, in fact.
Here's the briefing for the Constrictor mission, backported from the #BBCMicro; I've also ported the Thargoid plans mission, and the Trumbles from the #C64 and #NES. 🫡
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
Here's the briefing for the Constrictor mission, backported from the #BBCMicro; I've also ported the Thargoid plans mission, and the Trumbles from the #C64 and #NES. 🫡
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
My new version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite is feature-complete! Now for some testing.
Here's the feature list. It’s big! Big enough that this is effectively a Compendium version of Electron Elite; to sit proudly alongside the #BBCMicro Compendia. 🫡
Not long now!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
Here's the feature list. It’s big! Big enough that this is effectively a Compendium version of Electron Elite; to sit proudly alongside the #BBCMicro Compendia. 🫡
Not long now!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
July 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
My new version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite is feature-complete! Now for some testing.
Here's the feature list. It’s big! Big enough that this is effectively a Compendium version of Electron Elite; to sit proudly alongside the #BBCMicro Compendia. 🫡
Not long now!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
Here's the feature list. It’s big! Big enough that this is effectively a Compendium version of Electron Elite; to sit proudly alongside the #BBCMicro Compendia. 🫡
Not long now!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
The enhanced version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite continues to grow. I've now added the ship hangar, which gets shown when you dock.
This feature was only in the BBC and NES versions, and not the Commodore 64 or Apple II, so that's a one-up for the Elk. 🫡
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
This feature was only in the BBC and NES versions, and not the Commodore 64 or Apple II, so that's a one-up for the Elk. 🫡
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
July 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The enhanced version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite continues to grow. I've now added the ship hangar, which gets shown when you dock.
This feature was only in the BBC and NES versions, and not the Commodore 64 or Apple II, so that's a one-up for the Elk. 🫡
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
This feature was only in the BBC and NES versions, and not the Commodore 64 or Apple II, so that's a one-up for the Elk. 🫡
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit
It's #Thargoids Thursday in the enhanced version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite.
Here's me misjumping into witchspace and being ambushed by Thargoid motherships and their Thargon drones.
Electron commanders can now join in the bug-hunt - at last!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Here's me misjumping into witchspace and being ambushed by Thargoid motherships and their Thargon drones.
Electron commanders can now join in the bug-hunt - at last!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
July 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM
It's #Thargoids Thursday in the enhanced version of #Acorn #Electron #Elite.
Here's me misjumping into witchspace and being ambushed by Thargoid motherships and their Thargon drones.
Electron commanders can now join in the bug-hunt - at last!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Here's me misjumping into witchspace and being ambushed by Thargoid motherships and their Thargon drones.
Electron commanders can now join in the bug-hunt - at last!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Enhanced #Elite on the #Acorn #Electron now has 31 different ship types (compared to just 11 in the original).
Here's a little clip showing an encounter with a Krait and a Mamba on the way to the sun.
Coming soon... Thargoids!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Here's a little clip showing an encounter with a Krait and a Mamba on the way to the sun.
Coming soon... Thargoids!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
July 2, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Enhanced #Elite on the #Acorn #Electron now has 31 different ship types (compared to just 11 in the original).
Here's a little clip showing an encounter with a Krait and a Mamba on the way to the sun.
Coming soon... Thargoids!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Here's a little clip showing an encounter with a Krait and a Mamba on the way to the sun.
Coming soon... Thargoids!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro #8bit
Ha, I thought of doing that, but that's how it is in the original BBC Micro version, so I thought I'd leave it that way. Here it is in the original - oof!
I can't be going around changing the quirkiness of this classic. I could accidentally break the magic... 😀
I can't be going around changing the quirkiness of this classic. I could accidentally break the magic... 😀
June 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Ha, I thought of doing that, but that's how it is in the original BBC Micro version, so I thought I'd leave it that way. Here it is in the original - oof!
I can't be going around changing the quirkiness of this classic. I could accidentally break the magic... 😀
I can't be going around changing the quirkiness of this classic. I could accidentally break the magic... 😀
Enhanced #Elite on the #Acorn #Electron now has proper docking computers.
Good to see they're as nail-bitingly dodgy as all the other versions!
Next on the list is to add 21 additional ship designs with spawning and tactic logic. That might take a while...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
Good to see they're as nail-bitingly dodgy as all the other versions!
Next on the list is to add 21 additional ship designs with spawning and tactic logic. That might take a while...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
June 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Enhanced #Elite on the #Acorn #Electron now has proper docking computers.
Good to see they're as nail-bitingly dodgy as all the other versions!
Next on the list is to add 21 additional ship designs with spawning and tactic logic. That might take a while...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
Good to see they're as nail-bitingly dodgy as all the other versions!
Next on the list is to add 21 additional ship designs with spawning and tactic logic. That might take a while...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
I've also implemented fuel scooping, so those fuel scoops can finally be used for... well, scooping fuel, and not just cargo canisters.
Don't leave home without them! (3/3)
Don't leave home without them! (3/3)
June 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I've also implemented fuel scooping, so those fuel scoops can finally be used for... well, scooping fuel, and not just cargo canisters.
Don't leave home without them! (3/3)
Don't leave home without them! (3/3)
Approaching the sun through a minor asteroid belt.
I've always loved flying towards the sun in BBC Micro Elite, so it's good to see it on the Electron. That ball of flickering fire hanging in the blackness of space always has such a feeling of remoteness and grandeur. (2/3)
I've always loved flying towards the sun in BBC Micro Elite, so it's good to see it on the Electron. That ball of flickering fire hanging in the blackness of space always has such a feeling of remoteness and grandeur. (2/3)
June 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Approaching the sun through a minor asteroid belt.
I've always loved flying towards the sun in BBC Micro Elite, so it's good to see it on the Electron. That ball of flickering fire hanging in the blackness of space always has such a feeling of remoteness and grandeur. (2/3)
I've always loved flying towards the sun in BBC Micro Elite, so it's good to see it on the Electron. That ball of flickering fire hanging in the blackness of space always has such a feeling of remoteness and grandeur. (2/3)
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!
(In enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite, that is.)
The speed isn't bad, considering the sun is probably the most screen-memory-intensive (i.e. slow) feature of #BBCMicro Elite.
More clips in thread. (1/3)
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
(In enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite, that is.)
The speed isn't bad, considering the sun is probably the most screen-memory-intensive (i.e. slow) feature of #BBCMicro Elite.
More clips in thread. (1/3)
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
June 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!
(In enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite, that is.)
The speed isn't bad, considering the sun is probably the most screen-memory-intensive (i.e. slow) feature of #BBCMicro Elite.
More clips in thread. (1/3)
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
(In enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite, that is.)
The speed isn't bad, considering the sun is probably the most screen-memory-intensive (i.e. slow) feature of #BBCMicro Elite.
More clips in thread. (1/3)
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #8bit
On the left: original #Acorn #Electron #Elite.
On the right: Electron Elite using the #BBCMicro sun code to show variable sized stars on the system chart.
Now I just have to hook this up to the solar system, so Electron Elite can finally have suns and fuel scooping...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
On the right: Electron Elite using the #BBCMicro sun code to show variable sized stars on the system chart.
Now I just have to hook this up to the solar system, so Electron Elite can finally have suns and fuel scooping...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
June 5, 2025 at 1:06 PM
On the left: original #Acorn #Electron #Elite.
On the right: Electron Elite using the #BBCMicro sun code to show variable sized stars on the system chart.
Now I just have to hook this up to the solar system, so Electron Elite can finally have suns and fuel scooping...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
On the right: Electron Elite using the #BBCMicro sun code to show variable sized stars on the system chart.
Now I just have to hook this up to the solar system, so Electron Elite can finally have suns and fuel scooping...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
#Elite on the #Acorn #Electron is slow - way slower than on the #Commodore64, for example.
But how does the enhanced 16K SRAM version cope?
Turns out enhanced Electron Elite is faster than the #C64! Sure, it can't compare on colour or music. But... result! 🚀
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcelite
But how does the enhanced 16K SRAM version cope?
Turns out enhanced Electron Elite is faster than the #C64! Sure, it can't compare on colour or music. But... result! 🚀
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcelite
June 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
#Elite on the #Acorn #Electron is slow - way slower than on the #Commodore64, for example.
But how does the enhanced 16K SRAM version cope?
Turns out enhanced Electron Elite is faster than the #C64! Sure, it can't compare on colour or music. But... result! 🚀
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcelite
But how does the enhanced 16K SRAM version cope?
Turns out enhanced Electron Elite is faster than the #C64! Sure, it can't compare on colour or music. But... result! 🚀
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcelite
Latest features in enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite:
* Proper disk access menu
* Military lasers
* Extended system descriptions (edible poets!)
* System search
* Planetary details (meridians/equators and craters)
* Fast, flicker-free graphics
Looking good!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
* Proper disk access menu
* Military lasers
* Extended system descriptions (edible poets!)
* System search
* Planetary details (meridians/equators and craters)
* Fast, flicker-free graphics
Looking good!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
June 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Latest features in enhanced #Acorn #Electron #Elite:
* Proper disk access menu
* Military lasers
* Extended system descriptions (edible poets!)
* System search
* Planetary details (meridians/equators and craters)
* Fast, flicker-free graphics
Looking good!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
* Proper disk access menu
* Military lasers
* Extended system descriptions (edible poets!)
* System search
* Planetary details (meridians/equators and craters)
* Fast, flicker-free graphics
Looking good!
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
Overall the speed improvements aren’t too bad.
They don’t quite reach the speed of the #BBCMicro shown here, as screen memory and zero page are still accessed at 1MHz, so there's a limit to what's possible.
But hopefully it’s enough to support Thargoids, suns, planetary details and more! (4/4)
They don’t quite reach the speed of the #BBCMicro shown here, as screen memory and zero page are still accessed at 1MHz, so there's a limit to what's possible.
But hopefully it’s enough to support Thargoids, suns, planetary details and more! (4/4)
May 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Overall the speed improvements aren’t too bad.
They don’t quite reach the speed of the #BBCMicro shown here, as screen memory and zero page are still accessed at 1MHz, so there's a limit to what's possible.
But hopefully it’s enough to support Thargoids, suns, planetary details and more! (4/4)
They don’t quite reach the speed of the #BBCMicro shown here, as screen memory and zero page are still accessed at 1MHz, so there's a limit to what's possible.
But hopefully it’s enough to support Thargoids, suns, planetary details and more! (4/4)
The second speed-up is to replace the loop-based multiplication and division routines of the original with the log-based routines from the #C64 and 6502 co-pro versions.
You can see the speed increase here: loop normal routines on left, log-based routines on right. (3/4)
You can see the speed increase here: loop normal routines on left, log-based routines on right. (3/4)
May 27, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The second speed-up is to replace the loop-based multiplication and division routines of the original with the log-based routines from the #C64 and 6502 co-pro versions.
You can see the speed increase here: loop normal routines on left, log-based routines on right. (3/4)
You can see the speed increase here: loop normal routines on left, log-based routines on right. (3/4)