Since 1993, one gamer has been unconsciously judging nearly every game by how well it captures the feeling evoked by Wing Commander: Privateer. According to the gamer's year-in-review summaries from Steam and PlayStation, their most-played games in 2025, in order of hours logged, were No Man's Sky, Civilization VII, Assassin's Creed Shadows, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, World of Warcraft, Meridian 59, Tainted Grail: Fall of Avalon, and Unreal Tournament.
The gamer, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that with the exceptions of Civilization VII and Unreal Tournament, every one of those games is some kind of open-world experience that immerses the player in a far-flung land or galaxy. "I like what I like, and my knowing that's what I like began in the early 1990s with Wing Commander: Privateer," they said.
Wing Commander: Privateer, released in 1993, was a departure from the linear, story-driven gameplay of the main Wing Commander series. It allowed players to take on the role of a freelance pilot, choosing their own path as a mercenary, trader, or pirate in a vast, explorable galaxy. This freedom to forge one's own destiny resonated deeply with the gamer. "Privateer taught me that I love games that are spaces for living out whatever fictional life I create for myself much more than anything else," they explained.
The impact of Privateer can be compared to the influence of Elite, a pioneering space trading and combat game from the 1980s. Both games offered players unprecedented freedom and a sense of agency, allowing them to shape their own narratives within a dynamic game world. While Elite laid the groundwork, Privateer refined the formula with improved graphics, a more engaging storyline, and a greater emphasis on character development.
The gamer's preference for open-world experiences aligns with a broader trend in the gaming industry. Games like Grand Theft Auto, The Elder Scrolls, and No Man's Sky have achieved massive success by offering players vast, explorable worlds and a high degree of freedom. These games build upon the foundation laid by titles like Elite and Wing Commander: Privateer, demonstrating the enduring appeal of player-driven narratives and emergent gameplay.
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