Within the ’90s, Wing Commander: Privateer made me notice what sort of video games I really like

Ever since 1993, I feel I’ve unconsciously judged virtually each recreation by how effectively it could seize how Wing Commander: Privateer made me really feel.

Steam and PlayStation (the 2 platforms I take advantage of probably the most) have been doing a year-in-review abstract akin to the wildly widespread Spotify Wrapped for the previous few years. Based on these, I can report that my most-played video games in 2025 had been, from most hours down:

1. No Man’s Sky
2. Civilization VII
3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows
4. The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
6. The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind
7. World of Warcraft
8. Meridian 59
9. Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon
10. Unreal Tournament

With the exceptions of Civilization VII and Unreal Tournament, each a type of video games is a few type of open-world expertise that’s all about immersing you in a far-flung land (or galaxy).

I like what I like, and my understanding that’s what I like started within the early Nineteen Nineties with Wing Commander: Privateer.

Privateer taught me that I really like video games which can be areas for dwelling out no matter fictional life I create for myself far more than I really like video games which can be guiding me by an authored story and a collection of fastidiously designed challenges.

Yes, it has a narrative and story missions, however they’re hardly the purpose, partly as a result of they’re not likely that good. What’s thrilling about this recreation is exploring new techniques, seeing the attractive CG art work for his or her settlements, studying about your ships’ capabilities and upgrading them slowly over time, and attaining mastery of the pseudo-simulated economic system.

The story that issues in Privateer is the story I’m telling myself in my head. To today, the video games I most love provide at the least a style of that have.

Privateer‘s far-reaching (and drama-laden) legacy

To say this recreation was influential on later titles could be an understatement, however we, in fact, should acknowledge that this components was initially popularized by 1984’s Elite. Privateer simply married that components with Wing Commander‘s universe and flight mechanics, with a far more hand-crafted setting. That setting is key, though. I like the original Elite, and this certainly wasn’t the case again within the mid-’80s, however right this moment, it performs like a tech demo for what’s to return.