On the other hand, Elite The New Kind is easier than Elite that I
played 20 years ago on ZX Spectrum. I started then with cheated status
(Harmless, but full equipment and 50000 credits). I played together
with two my cousins and finished as Competent with 30000 Cr, after
many weeks of play.
Now I play Elite TNK without cheating (except that I save status in
every station). I started from Lave, 100 Credits, and after three hours
of the game I had Docking computer, Large Cargo Bay and ECM, with
status Poor. Next day I had Beam lasers, Fuel scoops and Energy unit
with Above Average, and third day I have got two Military and one
Mining lasers, Energy bomb, Escape Pod, status Competent with 20000
credits.
The reason why this version is easier is in trading engine (I think
that OOLITE has the same), usage of hard disk, and colors that help you
recognize ships and asteroids. This trading engine allows you to get a
lot of money in one turn without selling narcotics. Usually travel from
Lave to Zaonce then to Isinor then to Qutiri then to Isinor then to
Qutiri then to Isinor then to Qutiri (visit Tionisla only for buying
Military laser) ... Putting as much furs and liquers as you can carry
on the agricultural planet and as much computers and machinery on the
industrial planet gives you gain of up to 800-1400 credits per travel.
After about 10 sucessfull landings you will have about 2000 credits,
enough to buy Docking computer and still have enough money to continue
trading. In the begining don't attack inoncent ships and if you are
attacked and destroyed, don't worry, load the saved game from hard disk
and maybe in the next try there will be no pirates at all.
Even the landing without docking computer is no longer horror. If your
front laser cross is in the center of the planet and small green circle
in the centre of the white circle make the 180 degrees looping. Now
approach to the station and you will not miss the station entrance.