The original devs released the rights to the public in the 90s I think. I have been following this "game" for a decade at least, and it's still where it is, which is sad. The fanbase is there.
Truly one of the best games of the 80s; as I recall one of the first games to employ dynamic generation that wasn't a roguelike.
I also really liked the Genesis port of Buck Rodgers: Countdown to Doomsday. Not as much of a classic as Starflight, but a really nice upgrade from the many years older PC game.
Hell yeah I lost so many hours to the Genesis version of Starflight. I loved upgrading my little lander so it could "dig in" during storms. Also, logging planets, mining for obscure minerals, and just generally exploring. People love to praise Star Control II for that, but it's bush league when compared to the depth of this game.
Buck Rogers was awesome too. I remember spending hours leveling my
team to max and gearing them up with lunarian weapons just to see if I could beat this one specific optional fight that I don't even think the designers intended you to win. It's on some prison ship where you actually fight with Buck and you're hilariously outgunned. I think I actually did beat it but I can't remember with 100% certainty.
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