Delphian: Core Design Veteran Revives Unreleased C64 Space Trader for ZX Spectrum Next

Renowned developer and Core Design alum Sarah Jane Avory is spearheading the revival of Delphian, her previously unreleased Commodore 64 (C64) space trading game, adapting it for the modern yet nostalgic ZX Spectrum Next platform.

Avory, whose impressive résumé includes work on classic titles such as Thunderhawk, Jaguar XJ220, Soulstar, and Fighting Force, has embarked on what promises to be one of the most technically ambitious projects for the Spectrum Next to date. Sarah Jane Avory’s career spans some of the most respected names and franchises in the gaming industry.

From her tenure at Core Design between 1991 and 2003 to contributions on major releases like Elite: Dangerous, Zoo Tycoon, Kinect: Disneyland Adventures, and Without Warning, Avory has continually showcased her talent for blending technical mastery with creative design.

In recent years, she has been recognized for her independent projects Zeta Wing, Zeta Wing II, and the Briley Witch Chronicles—titles celebrated for revitalizing the shoot 'em up and RPG genres on retro hardware. Delphian represents a significant milestone in both Avory’s career and the ongoing legacy of 8-bit computing.

Originally developed in the 1980s for the C64 and featuring gameplay that allowed players to land on planets and explore their surfaces, the game was completed but never officially released.

In a recent social media update, Avory shared: “Back in the 80s, I wrote a C64 space trader game named Delphian, which used software resizing sprites.

You could land on planets and walk around.

The game was finished but not released.

Now, I’m coding Delphian for Spectrum Next, using 256 color resizing sprites.” The new ZX Spectrum Next iteration of Delphian will leverage the hardware’s advanced features to replicate effects once thought exclusive to consoles like the SNES, such as the famed Mode 7-style visual techniques.

This technical innovation underscores Avory's commitment to pushing vintage hardware beyond its original boundaries, offering seasoned and new players alike an upgraded retro experience. Avory has also hinted at the possibility of further projects for the Spectrum Next.

She remarked on social media that suggestions for developing titles inspired by arcade classics—or even revisiting Soulstar—are under serious consideration, reflecting her ongoing enthusiasm for the platform's untapped potential. For updates on Delphian’s development and other upcoming projects, fans and industry watchers are encouraged to follow Sarah Jane Avory’s official channels.

The revival of Delphian not only shines a light on the enduring appeal of retro gaming but also highlights the passion and expertise that continues to drive innovation in the world of indie game development.

ZX Spectrum C64 ZX Spectrum Next Core Design developer Spectrum Next Spectrum Delphian Sarah Jane Avory Thunderhawk Jaguar XJ220 Soulstar Fighting Force Elite: Dangerous Zoo Tycoon Kinect: Disneyland Adventures Without Warning Zeta Wing Zeta Wing II Briley Witch Chronicles