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+#REDIRECT [[Space flight simulation game#Space combat game]]
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-'''Space combat simulators''',<ref name=gspottags>{{cite web |title=tags » space combat sim |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/tags/index.php?type=game&tags=space+combat+sim |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-26}}</ref><ref name=gspot_fsims>{{cite web | title =PC Games : Futuristic Combat Sims | publisher =[[GameSpot]] | url =http://www.gamespot.com/games.html?platform=5&category=Futuristic+Combat+Sims&type=games | format =HTML | accessdate =2007-11-26  }}</ref><ref name=gametunnel_genre>{{cite web | title =All Genres > Action > Space Combat Sim | publisher =[[GameTunnel]] | url =http://www.gametunnel.com/review_nav.php?gen_c=31 | format =HTML | accessdate =2007-11-26  }}</ref><ref name=gametunnel>{{cite web |title=SW3DG releases Evochron Renegades |publisher=[[GameTunnel]] |date=October 20, 2007 |url=http://www.gametunnel.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1675 |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref><ref name=scifi>{{cite web |last=Peck |first=Brooks |title=1999 E3 Science Fiction Game Preview |publisher=[[SciFi.com]] |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue110/games.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> or '''space combat games''',<ref name=gspotfreelancer>{{cite web |title=Freelancer |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/freelancer/index.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref><ref name=infomatics>{{cite web |last=Parkyn |first=Jonathan |title=Review: Darkstar One 3D space combat game |publisher=Infomatics Online |date=August 14, 2006 |url=http://www.infomaticsonline.co.uk/personal-computer-world/software/2162220/darkstar |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref><ref name=lucasarts>{{cite web |title=Star Wars Starfighter Brings LucasArts' Celebrated Air And Space Combat Legacy To Playstation 2 |publisher=[[LucasArts]] |date=May 10, 2000 |url=http://www.lucasarts.com/company/release/news20000510c.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref><ref name=apple>{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Brad |title=Vendetta Online: Have Starship, Will Travel |publisher=Apple.com |url=http://www.apple.com/games/articles/2004/10/vendettaonline/ |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref><ref name=gamershell>{{cite web |title=Space Force - Rogue Universe AU Release Date |publisher=GamersHell |date=July 2, 2007| url=http://www.gamershell.com/news/39672.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-16}}</ref> are a genre of [[space flight simulator game]]s which feature spaceship combat. They often feature an arcade-like simulation of [[space flight]], as opposed to the realistic simulation of space flight in [[space flight simulator]]s.
-Space combat simulators which feature trading in addition to combat, such as ''[[Elite (video game)|Elite]]'' or ''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]'', are called '''space trading and combat simulators'''.<ref name=gamezone>{{cite web |title=Evochron |publisher=GameZone |url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gamesell/p26068.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=gamingtrend>{{cite web |title=Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators |publisher=GamingTrend |url=http://www.gamingtrend.com/Reviews/review/review.php?ReviewID=545 |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=ignx3>{{cite web |title =X3: Reunion |publisher=IGN |url=http://pc.ign.com/objects/736/736739.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=gspyrangers>{{cite web |title=Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/space-rangers-2-dominators/697188p1.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref>
-Such games generally place the player into the controls of small, one-person [[dogfighting]] craft and bombers in a military force of similar and larger spaceships. The prominent ''[[Wing Commander (franchise)|Wing Commander]]'', ''[[Star Wars: X-Wing - Space Combat Simulator|X-Wing]]'' and ''[[Descent: FreeSpace - The Great War|Freespace]]'' series all use this approach. Exceptions include the first ''[[I-War (Independence War)|Independence War]]'' and the ''[[Star Trek: Bridge Commander]]'' series, which models the larger craft of ''[[Star Trek]]'' in a more tactical fashion.
-Space simulation video games, at one time popular, have been referred to as a "dead" genre.<ref name=mygamer>{{cite web |title=Space Interceptor: Project Freedom |publisher=MyGamer |date=November 9, 2004 |url=http://www.mygamer.com/index.php?id=550484&page=gameportal&mode=reviews |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=scifi>{{cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |title=DarkStar One |publisher=SciFi.com |date=September 26, 2006 |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/games/sfw13762.html |format=HTML |accessdate =2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=gamecritics>{{cite web |last=Weise |first=Matt |title=Freelancer |publisher=GameCritics |date=May 28, 2003 |url=http://www.gamecritics.com/review/freelancer/main.php |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=escapist>{{cite web |last=LaMosca |first=Adam |title=Lost in the Void |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |date=July 18, 2006 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_54/324-Lost-in-the-Void |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=esm_stf>{{cite web | last = Wen | first = Howard | title = What Happened To The Last Starfighters? | publisher = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | date = February 12, 2008 | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_136/2918-What-Happened-To-The-Last-Starfighters | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>
-==Examples==
-{{mainlist|List of space flight simulator games}}
-*''[[Descent: FreeSpace - The Great War]]''
-*''[[Star Wars: X-Wing - Space Combat Simulator]]''
-*''[[I-War (Independence War)|Independence War]]''
-*''[[Wing Commander (franchise)|Wing Commander]]'' series
-*''[[Allegiance (computer game)]]''
-*''[[X (computer game series)]]''
-*''[[Starlancer]]''
-*''[[Star Trek: Bridge Commander]]''
-*''[[Space Force: Rogue Universe]]''
-==Space trading and combat simulators==
-'''Space trading and combat simulators'''<ref name=gamezone>{{cite web |title=Evochron |publisher=GameZone |url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gamesell/p26068.htm |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=ignx3>{{cite web |title =X3: Reunion |publisher=IGN |url=http://pc.ign.com/objects/736/736739.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref><ref name=gspyrangers>{{cite web |title=Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/space-rangers-2-dominators/697188p1.html |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref>, also known as '''space trading and combat games'''<ref name=ignx3/><ref name=gamingtrend>{{cite web | title =Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators | publisher =GamingTrend | url =http://www.gamingtrend.com/Reviews/review/review.php?ReviewID=545 | format =HTML | accessdate =2007-11-24  }}</ref> or '''space trading simulators'''<ref name=igne4>{{cite web | last =McCarthy | first =Dave | title =Braben reveals more on The Outsider, Elite IV | publisher =IGN | date =October 25, 2007 | url =http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/830/830293p1.html?RSSwhen2007-10-25_113200&RSSid=830293 | format =HTML | accessdate =2007-11-17  }}</ref>, are a [[Computer and video game genres|genre]] of [[video game]]s characterized by trading, combat and exploration while piloting a spaceship in a simulated [[outer space|space]] environment.<ref name=ign_x3r>{{cite web | last = Brenesal | first = Barry | title = IGN: X3: Reunion Review | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = December 6, 2005 | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/673/673886p1.html | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref>
-Popular examples include ''[[Elite (video game)|Elite]]'', ''[[Wing Commander: Privateer]]'', ''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]'' and the ''[[X (computer game series)|X]]'' series.
-===Overview===
-The space trading and combat simulation genre is a sub-genre of [[space simulation]]. The general formula for the genre, which has changed little since its genesis, is for the player to begin in a small, outdated ship with little money or status and for the player to work his way up, gaining in status and power through trading, exploration, combat or a mix of different methods.<ref name=ign_x3r/><ref name=eg_x2tt/><ref name=gspy_hof/> Plot tends to play only a limited role and only a loose narrative framework tends to be provided (in certain titles of the ''X'' series, for instance, players may ignore the plot as long as they like and are even given the option to disable the plot completely and instead play in "sandbox" mode<ref name=ign_x3r/>).
-Games of this type often allow the player to choose among multiple roles to play and multiple paths to victory. This aspect of the genre is very popular, and some people have complained that, in some titles, the leeway given to the player too often is only superficial, and that, in reality, the roles offered to players are very similar, and open-ended play too frequently restricted by scripted sequences.<ref name=ign_x3r/> As an example, ''Freelancer'' has been criticised for being too rigid in its narrative structure<ref name=eg_x2tt/><ref name=eg_fl/>, being in one case compared negatively with ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]''<ref name=eg_fl>{{cite web | last = Fahey | first = Rob | title = Freelancer Review | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = April 11, 2003 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=4589 | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref>, another series heralded for its open-ended play.<ref name=eg_bfhog>{{cite web | last = Whitehead | first = Dan | title = Born Free: the History of the Openworld Game | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = February 4, 2008 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=91968 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>
-All space trading and combat games feature the core gameplay elements of directly controlling the flight of some sort of space vessel, generally armed, and of navigating from one area to another for a variety of reasons. As technology has improved it has been possible to implement a number of extensions to gameplay, such as dynamic economies, [[cooperative gameplay|cooperative]] online play and realistic flight models based on [[Newtonian physics]], but the core gameplay has changed little over the years. Some recent games have expanded the scope of the experience by including [[massively multiplayer online|thousands of simultaneous online players]] in what is commonly referred to as a "living universe"<ref name=cavg_elite/><ref name=gx_x3r/><ref name=ign_x3r>{{cite web | last = Brenesal | first = Barry | title = IGN: X3: Reunion Review | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = December 6, 2005 | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/673/673886p1.html | accessdate = 2008-05-20}}</ref><ref name=giw_x2tt>{{cite web | title = X2 The Threat | publisher = [[GameInfoWire]] | url = http://gameinfowire.com/game.asp?gid=1014 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>. This is a dream some have held since the genre's early beginnings.<ref name=gsw_gdc>{{cite web | last = Carless | first = Simon | title = GDC: Game Designers Rant On Making Games That Matter | publisher = [[GameSetWatch]] | date = March 5, 2008 | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2008/03/gdc_game_designers_rant_on_mak.php | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>
-===Control systems===
-Most modern space trading and combat games on the PC allow a player to utilise a combination of the [[WASD]] keys of the [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] and [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]] as a means of controlling the game (games such as Microsoft's ''Freelancer'' use this control system exclusively<ref name=eg_fl/>). By far the most popular control system among genre enthusiasts, however, is the [[joystick]].<ref name=escapist>{{cite web |last=LaMosca |first=Adam |title=Lost in the Void |publisher=The Escapist |date=July 18, 2006 |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_54/324-Lost-in-the-Void |format=HTML |accessdate=2007-11-17}}</ref> Most fans prefer to use this input method whenever possible<ref name=eg_fl/>, but expense and practicality mean that many are forced to use the keyboard and mouse combination (or gamepad if such is the case). The lack of uptake among the majority of modern gamers has also made joysticks a sort of an anachronism, though some new [[Game controller|controller]] designs<ref name=escapist/> and simplification of controls offer the promise that space sims may be playable in their full capacity on [[Video game console|gaming consoles]] at some time in the future.<ref name=escapist/> In fact, ''[[X3: Reunion]]'', part of one of the more cumbersome and difficult series of space simulations<ref name=gspot_x2tt>{{cite web | last = Peckham | first = Matt | title = Flatspace II: The Rise of the Scarrid | publisher = [[SciFi.com]] | date = March 7, 2006 | url = http://www.scifi.com/sfw/games/sfw12312.html | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=eg_x2ttr/>, was initially planned for the [[Xbox]] but later cancelled.<ref name=gspot_x3rxbox>{{cite web | title = X3: Reunion for Xbox | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/sim/x3reunion/index.html | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>
-===History===
-[[Image:BBC Micro Elite screenshot.png|thumb|right|200px|''Elite'', released in 1984, was one of the first titles to feature fully 3D graphics.<ref name=stvgewps_ls>{{cite journal | last = Scatteia | first = L. | title = Title: Space-themed videogames: an effective way to promote space | journal = The Electronic Library | volume = 23 | issue = 5 | pages = 553-566 | publisher = Emerald Group Publishing Limited | date = 2005 | url = http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem.do?contentType=Article&hdAction=lnkhtml&contentId=1528968 | doi = 10.1108/02640470510631272 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>]]
-The modern space trading and combat simulation genre emerged at the point when home computers became sufficiently powerful to draw basic wireframe graphics in real-time.<ref name=gspy_hof/> The game ''[[Elite (video game)|Elite]]'' is widely considered to be the breakthrough game of the genre (it has been cited as the initial title/inventor/definer of the genre<ref name=mmog_jgdd>{{cite web | last = Hartmeyer | first = Steve | title = Dev Diary: The Inspirations Behind Jumpgate Evolution | publisher = [[MMOGamer]] | date = February 13, 2008 | url = http://www.mmogamer.com/02/13/2008/dev-diary-the-inspirations-behind-jumpgate-evolution | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=gspy_hof>{{cite web | last = Willimas | first = Bryn | title = GameSpy.com - Hall of Fame: Elite | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | date = September, 2000 | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/halloffame/september00/elite/ | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=rpgv_eve/><ref name=gx_x3r/>), although it did have some precursors. ''Elite'' was so highly influential upon later games of its type (not to mention its effect upon gaming as a whole<ref name=gspy_hof/><ref name=eg_fl/><ref name=gx_x3r/><ref name=gsw_tsp>{{cite web | last = Carless | first = Simon | title = Telespiele 1972-2007 Picks Most Influential Games | publisher = [[GameSetWatch]] | date = August 26, 2007 | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/08/telespiele_19722007_picks_most.php | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>) that they are frequently called ''Elite''-clones<ref name=gzone_ss>{{cite web | last = Eberle | first = Matt | title = Star Sonata Review | publisher = [[GameZone]] | date = November 17, 2004 | url = http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25030.htm | accessdate = 2008-06-18}}</ref><ref name=eg_dso>{{cite web | last = Gillen | first = Kieron | title = Darkstar One Review | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = July 17, 2006 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=66067 | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref><ref name=vg_dso>{{cite web | last = Vandervell | first = Andrew | title = DarkStar One Review for PC | publisher = [[VideoGamer.com]] | date = August 16, 2006 | url = http://www.videogamer.com/pc/darkstar_one/review.html | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref><ref name=eg_xbtf>{{cite web | first = Gestalt | last= |title = X: Beyond The Frontier Review | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = October 21, 1999 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=59 | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref>. ''Elite'' is also one of the most popularly requested games to be remade<ref name=eg_x2ttr>{{cite web | last = Fahey | first = Rob | title = X2: The Threat Review | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = February 6, 2004 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=54475 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>, and some argue that it is still the best example of the genre to date, with more recent titles (including its sequel<ref name=cavg_elite/>) not rising up to its level<ref name=gx_x3r>{{cite web | first = Wolf | title = X3: Reunion review at games xtreme | publisher = [[games xtreme]] | date = January 25, 2006 | url = http://www.gamesxtreme.net/pc/game/x3-reunion/review.shtml | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref><ref name=eg_x2tt>{{cite web | last = Fahey | first = Rob | title = X2 - The Threat preview | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | date = September 30, 2003 | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=53366 | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref><ref name=gspy_hof/>. ''Elite'' to this day is one of the most ambitous games ever made, and yet resides in only 22 [[kilobytes]] of memory and on a single floppy disk.<ref name=cavg_elite>{{cite web | last = Shoemaker | first = Richie | title = Games that changed the world: Elite | publisher = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = August 14, 2002 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78368 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>
-''Elite'' has made a lasting impression on developers, worldwide, even into different genres. In interviews, senior producers of [[CCP Games]] cited ''Elite'' as one of the inspirations for their acclaimed ''[[EVE Online]]'' [[MMORPG]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050923/rossignol_01.shtml | title=Evolution and Risk: CCP on the Freedoms of EVE Online | publisher=Gamasutra | accessdate=2007-08-05}}</ref> Both Thorolfur Beck and Reynir Petursson have said that it was the prime motivator behind the game<ref name=rpgv_eve>{{cite web | first = Richard | last= Aihoshi | title = EVE Interview | publisher = [[RPGVault]] | date = August 1, 2000 | url = http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/interviews/eve.shtml | accessdate = 2008-06-19}}</ref><ref name=gi_eo>{{cite web | last = Breeden II | first = John | title = Keep Looking Up: Space-based Eve Online Enjoys Success | publisher = [[GamesIndustry]] | url = http://www.gameindustry.com/interview/item.asp?id=39 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>, and Thorolfur Beck credits ''Elite'' as the game that impacted him most on the Commodore 64<ref name=rpgv_eve/>. Developers of ''[[Jumpgate Evolution]]'', ''[[Battlecruiser 3000AD]]'', ''[[Infinity: The Quest for Earth]]'', ''[[Hard truck#Hard Truck Apocalypse|Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars]]'' and ''[[Flatspace]]'' all claim ''Elite'' as a source of inspiration.<ref name=mmog_jgdd/><ref name=moddb_iqe>{{cite web | last = Johnson | first = Joe | title = Infinity: Quest for the Earth | publisher = [[ModDB]] | date = February 9, 2006 | url = http://www.moddb.com/features/23760/infinity-quest-for-the-earth | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=dac_htaw>{{cite web | title = Hard Truck: Apocalyptic Wars interview | publisher = Duck and Cover | date = April 25, 2005 | url = http://www.duckandcover.cx/content.php?id=79 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=gt_intv>{{cite web | last = Carroll | first = Russell | title = Chat with Cornutopia about FLATSPACE by Game Tunnel | publisher = [[Game Tunnel]] | date = October 27, 2003 | url = http://www.gametunnel.com/articles.php?id=329 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=lg_bc3d>{{cite web | last = Bergman | first = Jason | title = Serious Brass Ones (A peek inside the world of Derek Smart) | publisher = [[looneygames]] | url = http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/feat/ | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref> ''Elite'' was named one of the sixteen most influential games in history at Telespiele, a German technology and games trade show<ref name=gsw_top16>{{cite web | last = Plunkett | first = Luke | title = German Journos Pick Their Most Important Games Of All Time | publisher = [[Kotaku]] | date = August 27, 2007 | url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/notag/german-journos-pick-their-most-important-games-of-all-time-293565.php | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>, and was exhibited as one of the twenty-five best video games ever at the [[Science Museum (London)|Science Museum]] in London<ref name=edge_gameon>{{cite web | title = What makes a true gaming classic? | publisher = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | date = October, 2006 | url = http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2006/10/what_makes_a_tr.php | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>. ''Elite'' was also named #12 on [[IGN]]'s 2000 "Top 25 PC Games of All Time" list<ref name=ign_top25_2000>{{cite web | title = The Top 25 PC Games of All Time | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = July 24, 2000 | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/082/082486p1.html | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>, the #3 most influential video game ever by the [[The Times|Times Online]] in 2007<ref name=to_mige>{{cite web | last = Moran | first = Michael | title = The ten most influential video games ever | publisher = [[The Times|Times Online]] | date = September 20, 2007 | url = http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/gadgets_and_gaming/article2455080.ece | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>, and "best game ever" for the BBC Micro by Beebug Magazine in 1984<ref name=beebug_elite>{{Citation | last = Fell | first = David | title = Elite - An Outstanding New Game from Acornsoft | newspaper = [[Beebug Magazine]] | year = 1984 | date = November 1984 | url = http://home.clara.net/iancgbell/elite/archive/a4110020.htm}}</ref>. <i>Elite</i>'s sequel, ''[[Frontier: Elite II]]'', was named #77 on [[PC Zone]]'s "101 Best PC Games Ever"<ref name=cavg_best>{{cite web | title = The 101 best PC games ever | publisher = [[PC Zone]] | date = May 12, 2007 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=163783 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref> list in 2007. ''Elite'' has been credited as opening the door for future online [[persistent world]]s, such as ''[[Second Life]]'' and ''[[World of Warcraft]]''<ref name=to_mige/>, and as being the first truly open-ended game<ref name=eg_bfhog/><ref name=cavg_chowg>{{cite web | title = The complete history of open-world games | publisher = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = May 24, 2008 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=189591 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref>. Similar praise has been bestowed elsewhere in the media from time to time.<ref name=gib_elite>{{cite web | title = THE HOT 100 GAME DEVELOPERS OF 2007 | publisher = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] | date = March 3, 2007 | url = http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4859&Itemid=2&limit=1&limitstart=2 | accessdate = 2008-06-20 | quote = David Braben is one of the old-time legends of British computer gaming – along with Ian Bell, he co-wrote the space simulator Elite, a hugely influential game often earmarked as one of the best ever made.}}</ref><ref name=gg_elite>{{cite web | first = Asterick | title = Presented in Retrovision: Elite | publisher = [[Gay Gamer]] | date = May 29, 2008 | url = http://gaygamer.net/2008/05/presented_in_retrovision_elite.html | accessdate = 2008-06-20 | quote = Elite is still one of the most influential games to date, having inspired EVE Online, Freespace, Jumpgate, Homeworld and a handful of other space titles.}}</ref><ref name=g4_ritf>{{cite web | last = Barrat | first = Andy | title = Racing Into The Future | publisher = [[G4techTV Canada]] | date = January 30, 2008 | url = http://www.g4techtv.ca/technews/AB/AB_20080130_racingintothefuture.shtml | accessdate = 2008-06-20 | quote = But [the BBC Micros] weren't just for learning on, a handful of games were actually released for the Beeb - two of the most influential games ever in fact – one of which was Revs. (...) The other super influential game [besides Revs] by the way, was Elite.}}</ref><ref name=cavg_xbtf>{{cite web | last = Shoemaker | first = Richie | title = PC Review: X - Beyond the Frontier | publisher = [[Computer and Video Games]] | date = August 13, 2001 | url = http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3667 | accessdate = 2008-06-20 | quote = If, however - like me - you consider Elite to be the best game ever made, X - Beyond The Frontier is by far its closest relation.}}</ref><ref name=cw_elite>{{Citation | last = Karlsson | first = Peter | title = Classic Commodore games on the web | newspaper = [[Commodore World]] | year = 2000 | date = Issue 8 | url = http://www.softwolves.pp.se/cbm/artiklar/gameweb | quote = In 1984, Ian Bell was the one of the authors of a game that by many still is regarded as the best game ever written, Elite (the other author was David Braben).}}</ref>
-Some tabletop and board games, such as ''[[Traveller (role-playing game)|Traveller]]'' or ''[[Merchant of Venus]]'', also feature themes of space combat and trade. ''Traveller'' influenced the development of ''Elite''<ref name=elite_trivia>{{cite web | last =Hooper | first =George | title =Elite Trivia | publisher =George Hooper | url =http://www.hooplah.com/encounters/trivia.htm | format =HTML | accessdate =2007-11-26  }}</ref> (the main character in ''Traveller'' is named "Jamison"; the main character in ''Elite'' is named "Jameson") and ''Jumpgate Evolution''<ref name=mmog_jgdd/>. ''[[Trade Wars]]'' and ''[[TradeWars 2002]]'' were early [[BBS door]] games that featured trading and combat set in outer space, and were influential in their own right<ref name=omgn_p>{{cite web | last = Rector | first = Charles | title = Interviews: Werner Bayer aka Bladefist of Pardus | publisher = [[Online Multiplayer Games Network]] | date = July 27, 2007 | url = http://www.omgn.com/interviews.php?Item_ID=32 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref><ref name=gz_tw>{{cite web | title = Classic BBS Game “Trade Wars®” Reborn (Press Release) | publisher = [[GameZone]] | date = May 4, 2006 | url = http://pc.gamezone.com/news/05_04_06_10_36AM.htm | accessdate = 2008-06-21}}</ref>.
-The seeming decline of the space trading and combat simulator in the late '90s coincided with the rise of the [[Real-time strategy|RTS]], [[First-person shooter|FPS]] and [[Role-playing video game|RPG]] game genres, with such examples as ''[[Doom (video game)|Doom]]'', ''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans|Warcraft]]'' and ''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]]''.<ref name=escapist/> The very things that made these games classics, such as their lack of a directed plot, powerful controls and attention to detail, have been cited as reasons for this decline.<ref name=escapist/><ref name=esm_stf/> Some recent franchises such as the ''X'' series<ref name=escapist/> and ''EVE Online'', however, appear to have broken this mold. The [[open source]] community has also been active, with recent projects such as ''FS2 Open'' and ''[[Vega Strike]]'' serving as platforms for nonprofessional efforts.<ref name=esm_stf>{{cite web | last = Wen | first = Howard | title = What Happened To The Last Starfighters? | publisher = [[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] | date = February 12, 2008 | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_136/2918-What-Happened-To-The-Last-Starfighters | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref> In an odd twist of fate, remakes of ''Elite'' and ''Privateer''<ref name=mw_pgg>{{cite web | title = Privateer Gemini Gold 1.02a Review | publisher = [[Macworld]] | date = January 9, 2008 | url = http://www.macworld.co.uk/macsoftware/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=2417 | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref> are being made using the ''Vega Strike'' engine.
-===Examples===
-{{mainlist|List of space flight simulator games}}
-*''[[Battlecruiser 3000AD|Battlecruiser]]'' series (1996-2003)
-*''[[DarkStar One]]'' (2006)
-*''[[Elite (video game)#Sequels|Elite]]'' series (1984-1995)
-*''[[Escape Velocity (computer game)|Escape Velocity]]'' series (1996-2002)
-*''[[Star Wraith (computer game series)#Other games in the StarWraith universe|Evochron]]'' series (2005-2007)
-*''[[Flatspace (computer game)|Flatspace]]'' series (2003-2006)
-*''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]'' (2003)
-*''[[Infinity: The Quest for Earth]]'' (in development)
-*''[[Space Force: Rogue Universe]]'' (2007)
-*''[[Space Rangers (video game)|Space Rangers]]'' series (2002-2004)
-*''[[SunDog: Frozen Legacy]]'' (1984)
-*''[[Tachyon: The Fringe]]'' (2000)
-*''[[Trade Wars]]'' series (1984-present)
-*''[[Wing Commander: Privateer]]'' (1993)
-*''[[X (computer game series)|X]]'' series (1999-2007)
-==See also==
-*[[Space flight simulator game]]
-*[[List of space flight simulator games]]
-==References==
-{{Reflist}}
-{{VideoGameGenre}}
-[[Category:Space combat simulators| ]]
-[[Category:Space trading and combat simulators| ]]
-[[Category:Video game genres]]