Most things <em>Privateer</em> did have been done better, but it's still a classic.
See full article...
See full article...
In the ’90s, Wing Commander: Privateer made me realize what kind of games I love
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
Wing Commander and Ultima 7 basically hooked me on PC gaming as a kid. Privateer was such a work of art, giving the illusion of character progression and self determination in a game. It set the bar for PC gaming for me.
God I miss Origin Systems, Inc.
God I miss Origin Systems, Inc.
Upvote
64
(64
/
0)
100% hard agree. Most of my gaming life after Privateer was (mis-)spent trying to recapture the feeling of Privateer (and to a lesser extent Pirates!). Games I spent the most time with have been sandboxes where I could tell my own stories (most recently Crusader Kings 3). I barely game anymore, but your article made me daydream of Privateer. Thank you for that.
Upvote
36
(36
/
0)
I actually played more Privateer 2 than the OG Privateer. That's because Privateer was very demanding and particular when it came to memory management, and our DOS PC wasn't robust enough to get it to reliably launch. By the time we had a better computer, the sequel was out, with its ensemble cast, FMV, and 3d graphics. However, the classic WC graphics are definitely a point of nostalgia given the countless hours I sank into WC, WCII, and the expansions.
Upvote
23
(23
/
0)
I was never a Wing Commander enthusiast. But I feel this fits with most of the games from the old days I still love. And despite that so much of it has been done better it is remarkable how many of the games hold up because of their unique mix of things that no newer game has fully captured.
Upvote
9
(9
/
0)
Thinking back to Wing Commander, Tie Fighter, etc, always gives me the feels. Rebel Galaxy Outlaw is the most recent game that gives me that same nostalgia. It’s not perfect, but the bones for a classic are there.
Upvote
21
(21
/
0)
Riel Downer
Smack-Fu Master, in training
I'll never forget as a kid playing Ultima VII & watching in amazement as the guards actually went round and lit the lanterns on a night time, clearing out a tower of enemies and watching the guards move in and actually baking bread...
And realising that Wing Commander had a branching storyline depending on how successful you were...I actually felt part of the crew of the Tiger's Claw...
Those worlds really felt alive in a way that I've struggled to find replicated and I genuinely don't believe it's just nostalgia or rose tinted glasses.
(I do also remember Ultima 7 being an absolute pain to get running on my computer at the time and I had several boot disks for it
)
Upvote
31
(31
/
0)
I absolutely loved Privateer, but I can't say I agree with the author about the storyline. To me, that was by far the most engaging element of the game. It kept me fighting for more, made me feel like a cross between a detective and a privateer. The storytelling felt fresh at the time and its twists and turns surprising and entertaining.
The one thing that still stands out, after all these years, was the sound of the "egg" (the Steltek Ship) penetrating my shields and hitting the hull while I was desperately trying to make it to a jump point.
While games are so much better in almost every way today, I do miss the way (some) games in the mid-90s felt so fresh, for lack of a better word. Privateer, Doom, Descent. Just brilliant.
The one thing that still stands out, after all these years, was the sound of the "egg" (the Steltek Ship) penetrating my shields and hitting the hull while I was desperately trying to make it to a jump point.
While games are so much better in almost every way today, I do miss the way (some) games in the mid-90s felt so fresh, for lack of a better word. Privateer, Doom, Descent. Just brilliant.
Upvote
28
(28
/
0)
I spent countless hours playing Elite on the C64 and then on the Amiga. By the time Elite Dangerous and then No Man’s Sky came out, I had backed away from this genre of games...but Everspace?! Not exactly in the same lineage, but compelling in the same way for me as the original Elite. I might have to fire up Dangerous and No Man's Sky again and give them another chance after reading your article.
Upvote
10
(10
/
0)
Upvote
23
(24
/
-1)
I loved that game. I think no individual/company is responsible for more hardware spend than Messers Roberts and Garriott The 386 to properly play the original Wing Commander, the Gravis Joystick that was absolutely required to enjoy properly flying, then a Roland SSC-1 for the score in Privateer and its expansion, Righteous Fire.
Origin Systems really made us buy stuff. Remember Strike Commander? Maybe it runs ok on a Ryzen AI - who knows - and then the mother of all CPU buy triggers: Ultima VII.
The 386 to properly play the original Wing Commander, the Gravis Joystick that was absolutely required to enjoy properly flying, then a Roland SSC-1 for the score in Privateer and its expansion, Righteous Fire.Origin Systems really made us buy stuff. Remember Strike Commander? Maybe it runs ok on a Ryzen AI - who knows - and then the mother of all CPU buy triggers: Ultima VII.
Upvote
20
(20
/
0)
I played it clunkily on my 386, you are popping my long-held illusion that on a 486 it would have been ok. Didn’t manage to convince the parents that we needed a 486 for Microsoft Works.
Upvote
14
(14
/
0)
Clonk. Yes!
I was suffering a minor depression once I realised the scripted parts were over and it was now just this simulated (empty) galaxy and I. No more Tayla showing up with more missions.
The integration of a seemingly open galaxy with commerce, random encounters, pirates, kilrathi, and seemingly naturally appearing story missions… it felt pretty new and exciting back then.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
wtf is up with that first link to Gog : www. kqzyfj. com /click-8984087-15232592?url=https://www.gog.com/en/game/wing_commander_privateer
how sus looking is that "kqzyfj.com", affiliate tracking or not.
on topic:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_Commander_III:_Heart_of_the_Tiger
is my favorite entry in the Wing Commander series
how sus looking is that "kqzyfj.com", affiliate tracking or not.
on topic:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_Commander_III:_Heart_of_the_Tiger
is my favorite entry in the Wing Commander series
Upvote
3
(3
/
0)
Oh, it ran well on my 486/66, as long as you had some memory management magic on your side, the right joystick, didn't blow on it too hard, and absolutely never pressed the M key in flight (the CD version would crash if you had any cargo). Just be sure to save often, just in case, especially if you plan to jump out-system.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
I’m an old grumpy git who basically just plays Kairosoft sims or simple roguelikes on his phone these days, but the 90’s for me was pretty special. Probably the only time I had proper exposure to PC gaming, so Origin Systems ranks* pretty high on my list as well (probably second only to LucasArts). Ultima Underworld II was probably my first western RPG. Privateer, System Shock, Bioforge and Crusader No Remorse/Regret all got immense playtime.
*Special mention to Novalogic. Their Commanche helicopter series taught me how to edit autoexec.bat and config.sys files.
Last edited:
Upvote
19
(19
/
0)
Does anyone remember this? I remember that bunny thing intro so many times, never got very far in a cousin's hand me down computer because I had no idea what was going on but this was one of my earliest games, and I remember the idea
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNccY9fDPbE
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNccY9fDPbE
Upvote
3
(4
/
-1)
Slightly off topic: this got me to look at No Man's Sky and it reminded me of an old DOS game from the 90s where you could land on various planets, explore the native flora and fauna...my last memory of it was landing stranded on a planet without fuel to take off.
Anybody remember title?
Anybody remember title?
Upvote
0
(0
/
0)
I never played Privateer but I got the same thing from Escape Velocity Nova. Start with a ship, trade stiff between stars, dodging pirates and aliens along the way. Upgrade your ship and your equipment as you go. Start taking specialized missions, or diplomatic missions, or become a pirate yourself, or start taking over star systems. The universe was huge and full of exotic things to discover, explore, and meet. Loved that game and never found another one with the basic gameplay EVN had.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
Upvote
3
(3
/
0)
God, Elite burned up entire weekends for a friend and myself on his C64!
I got into WC late, but Privateer 2 is still one of my all time favorite games. Hell, I still even have my original DOS CD's for it!
Funnily enough, I just built a DOS/Win 3 x machine and loaded those up this last week - definitely going to be playing some WC and Privateer this weekend!
I got into WC late, but Privateer 2 is still one of my all time favorite games. Hell, I still even have my original DOS CD's for it!
Funnily enough, I just built a DOS/Win 3 x machine and loaded those up this last week - definitely going to be playing some WC and Privateer this weekend!
Upvote
6
(6
/
0)
WC1 & 2 were my first introduction to space sims, spent many hours on these games but no Privateer.
Interesting to see mention of 1984 Elite and Elite Dangerous but not the 90’s Frontier Elite 2 and First Encounters, those were the games that hooked me on open world games, maybe they weren’t very popular though
Interesting to see mention of 1984 Elite and Elite Dangerous but not the 90’s Frontier Elite 2 and First Encounters, those were the games that hooked me on open world games, maybe they weren’t very popular though
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
This is exactly my experience - Privateer is my gaming benchmark.
Like the author I've played Elite: Dangerous, No Man's Sky, Everspace 2, and a bunch of other games that pull from Privateer, but I've never gotten the same feeling as I got when playing that game. I'm sure some (a lot) of that was being 13, but I also think that Privateer did a better job than any of those games of creating the experience of being a space trucker/bounty hunter.
The friction was part of the experience, too. One of my most indelible memories of gaming is triggering a jump point, and watching my ship get pummeled as the camera zoomed out, hoping that I didn't blow up before the jump and that the damage was less than the value of my cargo. That experience I had as a player was exactly the same feeling I imagined the character in the ship would be having - call it ludonarrative harmony.
I don't need dynamically simulated economies, or dozens of interacting game systems, or a quadrillion planets to explore. I just want something that makes you feel like a working class stiff, trying to survive and maybe retire in a well realized, rough-around-the-edges galaxy.
Like the author I've played Elite: Dangerous, No Man's Sky, Everspace 2, and a bunch of other games that pull from Privateer, but I've never gotten the same feeling as I got when playing that game. I'm sure some (a lot) of that was being 13, but I also think that Privateer did a better job than any of those games of creating the experience of being a space trucker/bounty hunter.
The friction was part of the experience, too. One of my most indelible memories of gaming is triggering a jump point, and watching my ship get pummeled as the camera zoomed out, hoping that I didn't blow up before the jump and that the damage was less than the value of my cargo. That experience I had as a player was exactly the same feeling I imagined the character in the ship would be having - call it ludonarrative harmony.
I don't need dynamically simulated economies, or dozens of interacting game systems, or a quadrillion planets to explore. I just want something that makes you feel like a working class stiff, trying to survive and maybe retire in a well realized, rough-around-the-edges galaxy.
Upvote
10
(10
/
0)
Armada was a great (if slightly limited) game. I can't think of any other have that had the turn based nature of conquering systems, producing fleets, then going hands on stick to lead the attack.
Upvote
2
(2
/
0)
Every time an article like this skips Starflight... that may have been it too.
My nostalgia for this period is very strong. You never knew what really was in or not in a game and your mind was happy to fill in the blanks generously. That, and the developers hadn't grown up playing games and unconsciously (and consciously) copying them into genre coherent sameness like now.
Upvote
5
(5
/
0)
From the original article when they announced it (https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025...ica-gog-store-page-lets-buy-some-retro-games/) it's an affiliate link, though ironically a different affiliate link than the original article used. This is the partner link to go directly to the page they setup:
https://www.gog.com/en/partner/ArsTechnica
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
C64/128 Elite and Sid Meier's Pirates! got me hooked on this type of game...still want a pirate game that scratches that itch. Freelancer series got real close.
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
Starflight 1 + 2 are on the GOG Arstechnica list, so I imagine an article will show up eventually as they work through the list.
https://www.gog.com/en/partner/ArsTechnica
Meanwhile, here's this old Arstechnica article on those games:
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/masterpiece-starflight-for-pc/
Upvote
8
(8
/
0)
Another upvote for Rebel Galaxy Outlaw from me. If you liked Privateer, it's well worth the $6 price of admission.
Upvote
8
(8
/
0)
Upvote
3
(3
/
0)
Chris Roberts is a pro at:
1) making "3D space games" feel 2D
2) never finishing any project he starts
1) making "3D space games" feel 2D
2) never finishing any project he starts
Upvote
10
(11
/
-1)
Honestly, that was par for the course for Origin games back in the late '80s and early '90s. I think I spent as much time tweaking config.sys as I did playing the games.
Upvote
11
(11
/
0)
Upvote
-3
(2
/
-5)
I got this game free from a friend whose computer wouldn't run it, and was sucked in to messing around in its sandbox world. I don't think I got terribly far in the main story, and got about as far as when you start doing bombing runs, torpedoing capital ships, when I finally got too frustrated to continue.
I tried replaying it several years back and, IMO, it doesn't hold up terribly well. You start the game with no warp drive, so you're stuck in a small star system with only a few planets to (attempt to) trade between, or just do combat missions until you have enough money to leave. Then you find you need to buy starmaps in order to navigate to other star systems, which in retrospect is inconceivable in an era of ubiquitous mapping software and free online data sources. If you want your reticle to show where to lead your target, you have to shell out for an upgraded targeting computer.
The cockpit fills most of the screen, obscuring your field of view, with freighters taking up more real estate; this is to simulate bulky hulls obscuring your windscreen, presumably since large flatscreen displays connected to cameras don't exist in that future (despite Star Trek depicting that). Combat is pretty janky IMO, with it being frustrating to line up shots. This is compounded for torpedoes, which have no guidance yet do by far the most damage, so are essentially mandatory when fighting capital ships.
All that said, when you do finally go interstellar, the game opens up and gameplay loops emerge which the subgenre was built off of, but unless you enjoy its combat, the game will be a slog. The game got a series of open-source efforts at a fan-based remake/port to a polygonal 3d engine for the in-space sections, using the original 2d art for space stations.
I tried replaying it several years back and, IMO, it doesn't hold up terribly well. You start the game with no warp drive, so you're stuck in a small star system with only a few planets to (attempt to) trade between, or just do combat missions until you have enough money to leave. Then you find you need to buy starmaps in order to navigate to other star systems, which in retrospect is inconceivable in an era of ubiquitous mapping software and free online data sources. If you want your reticle to show where to lead your target, you have to shell out for an upgraded targeting computer.
The cockpit fills most of the screen, obscuring your field of view, with freighters taking up more real estate; this is to simulate bulky hulls obscuring your windscreen, presumably since large flatscreen displays connected to cameras don't exist in that future (despite Star Trek depicting that). Combat is pretty janky IMO, with it being frustrating to line up shots. This is compounded for torpedoes, which have no guidance yet do by far the most damage, so are essentially mandatory when fighting capital ships.
All that said, when you do finally go interstellar, the game opens up and gameplay loops emerge which the subgenre was built off of, but unless you enjoy its combat, the game will be a slog. The game got a series of open-source efforts at a fan-based remake/port to a polygonal 3d engine for the in-space sections, using the original 2d art for space stations.
Upvote
-2
(2
/
-4)
I loved Wing Commander: Privateer and spent many hours playing that game (as well as the other Wing Commander titles). That and the X-Wing & TIE Fighter series commanded the lions share of my PC gaming when I was a kid.
I've never really ever found any other flight sim that captured my interest like the OG games. I still have all of them via GOG and regularly go back and play them. The graphics are very dated but the gameplay and novelty of the games remains the same.
I've never really ever found any other flight sim that captured my interest like the OG games. I still have all of them via GOG and regularly go back and play them. The graphics are very dated but the gameplay and novelty of the games remains the same.
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
Before Wing Commander, I played Hard Nova (the sequel to Sentinel Worlds I: Future Magic), and before that, Captain Blood (1988) by Exxos.
Hard Nova:
Captain Blood:
I found out about Elite (1984) much later.
Hard Nova:
Captain Blood:
I found out about Elite (1984) much later.
Last edited:
Upvote
8
(9
/
-1)