Gaming Do you guys know any freeform space exploration/mining/trading sims?

[NTpspE]

Hi Guys,

I have looked around the forums and there probably is, but I can't seem to find any topics about this.

I've been practically bashing my head against the wall looking all over the internet for something like this. Perhaps it doesn't exist, or perhaps there are some that come close.

I'm looking for a space exploration game, more specifically, one that lets me do as I want. I've got Orbiter (obviously) but the only problem I'm having is finding something to do. I have also got the free Universal Combat, and that comes close to the things I'm looking for, but it's still pretty... lifeless.

I want to be able to mine planets, trade, fight other ships if/when I want/need to. It doesn't necessarily have to have missions. It definitely needs to have the ability to land on planets though, even better if I can exit the ship and walk on the planet, or perhaps drive a vehicle.
Universal combat does allow me to do this, but there's still nothing to do. Like perhaps ancient ruins on the planets, random NPC's, anything to give it more life.

From what I've heard, the space sim genre has been dead for a while, and perhaps that's why I can't find anything.
I've heard about the X series, and that doesn't seem to cover it, or Freelancer, Freespace e.c.t.

Preferably the game would be free, or at least have a demo.

Again I'm sorry if this has been posted (probably has) but I seem to be spending each day looking at the exact same pages on google and turning up nothing.

Kind Regards,
NT

 

[n122vu]

It doesn't quite have everything you're looking for, but you might take a look at Vega Strike over on SourceForge. It's based on Wing Commander: Privateer. It's free-form, in that you can accept escort missions, trade, etc. Not as linear as other space flight/combat sims. Plus there are a few mods, some that make it a completely different game from the base.

 

[jangofett287]

This is basically the short summary of EVE online. A massive free-form universe with mining, trading, pirates etc. The only problem is that EVE is a subscription game.

 

[orb]

http://pioneerspacesim.net/

 

[NTpspE]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Vegastrike looks like a definite yes for downloading (don't know how I managed to miss that one) so I'll get that downloaded when I get some more internet.

As for EVE, I should have mentioned that I'm not looking for an MMO (no griefers in space xD ) and I'm not a fan of subscriptions, but thanks anyway!

I'm downloading Pioneer now (got enough internet for that) though it's a shame the website doesn't have an 'about' page or 'features'

Also, I should mention that graphics don't bother me, as long as it's 3D and not ASCII (hurts my eyes :L )

Kind Regards,
NT

 

[jedidia]

It's based on Wing Commander: Privateer.

It's basically privateer with a newtonian flightmodel, yes (mind you, newtonian flightmodel does not mean gravity simulator. Vega Strike is basically I-War meets Privateer).

Pioneer, which Orb posted above, is still in relatively early development. It's a great sandbox already, but I think in its current state exactly not what the OP was looking for (not that much to do except sightseeing and practically no real interaction with the universe, which is not astonishing since the pioneer universe doesn't have politics yet...)

There would also be Evochron, not freeware but as an indy-title perfectly affordable. Although it allows you to do pretty much anything, the focus is clearly on combat with a newtonian flight model. When it comes to blowing stuff up, Evochron leaves Vega Strike miles behind and takes a comfortable seat in the front row with I-War and "I found her". Seriously, the combat is that good. The game world, on the other hand, suffers from general lifelessness the way universal combat does, at least it did in earlier versions. It may be that this got addressed in newer iterations.

 

[NTpspE]

It's basically privateer with a newtonian flightmodel, yes (mind you, newtonian flightmodel does not mean gravity simulator. Vega Strike is basically I-War meets Privateer).

Pioneer, which Orb posted above, is still in relatively early development. It's a great sandbox already, but I think in its current state exactly not what the OP was looking for (not that much to do except sightseeing and practically no real interaction with the universe, which is not astonishing since the pioneer universe doesn't have politics yet...)

Thanks for that Jedidia, it was taking a long time to download, and if there's no real interactivity at the moment then I think Orbiter is best for sightseeing

Kind Regards,
NT

 

[jedidia]

Thanks for that Jedidia, it was taking a long time to download, and if there's no real interactivity at the moment then I think Orbiter is best for sightseeing

Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say that. Pioneer has a very decent terrain engine, and a very flexible system generator that can throw really interesting stuff at you.

 

[Artlav]

Spaceway ( http://spaceway.1gb.ru ) meets the fly, land, walk, and drive requirement.
It's a procedural universe spanning from rocks on the planets to intergalactic flights in one continuous space.
Real physics, Orbiter-like spaceflight and controls.
And it's only 1Mb download (as of 120420 experimental).

However, there aren't much game elements in it, so you'll have to use the imagination for the rest.

 

[Spacethingy]

I like Transcendence. It's a cute little 2.5 D game where you travel between solar system "levels" and do tasks and missions to buy new stuff for your ship.

 

[jedidia]

Ah yes... transcendence. The innocent little game that makes you play a roguelike without realizing it :lol:

 

[Loru]

Elite 3 a.k.a. Frontier First Encounters. Little outdated graphics but still excellent gameplay IMHO. No walking on planets but lots of missions and spaceships.

 

[george7378]

I played an online game called Imperion a few years ago - it's pretty simple (it is based more on statistics and numbers than graphics/actual gameplay) but it's very addictive. I don't know if it is still running...

 

[icedown]

I know the X series doesn't allow for on planet operations but it is a very open ended and versatile game. You fight who you want, build what you want, trade what you want, and annihilate any one you don't like. The new X:Rebirth is in the works and even though we don't have a solid release date yet, the silence from the devs is somewhat hopeful.

EDIT: Evochron Mercenary does have some planet side interaction, and is completely open. It's quite a challenge also.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I had quite a ride with Freelancer. Very much like Wing Commander: Privateer. Hunting around for a Firefly mod for Freelancer is what made me find the link to the Grey Goose for Orbiter.

 

[Hielor]

www.hazeron.com

It's online, but you can situate yourself far enough away from everyone that you'll never see anyone else.

Unfortunately, the game's currently having some stability issues...

 

[icedown]

Is there an orbiter empire?

 

[garyw]

I had quite a ride with Freelancer.

I hated the ending of that. After the protagonist saves the galaxy he walks into a bar says hello to someone and they go 'oh, you must be new around here'. I would have loved it if he had shoved their face into the table and said 'you idiot, I'm the saviour of the galaxy, look I'm on TV' then walked out to closing credits.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I hated the ending of that. After the protagonist saves the galaxy he walks into a bar says hello to someone and they go 'oh, you must be new around here'. I would have loved it if he had shoved their face into the table and said 'you idiot, I'm the saviour of the galaxy, look I'm on TV' then walked out to closing credits.

Yes! My first mission "post-game" I said very much the same thing (with a bit of blue-language thrown in).
I liked the look of some of those ships, the big boys I mean, the capitol ships and merchies.

 

[Hielor]

Is there an orbiter empire?

I'm running the Holy Proban Empire, and if you're interested in joining let me know.

That said, I really think the best way to start is to start your own empire and at least get to the building-ships phase--it'll give you a much better understanding of how everything works than joining an existing empire. If you want to join up with me after that, no problem