Gaming Evolution to Eve-Online from BBC Micro to PC

Growing up I used to love playing computer games. Among my favourite was Elite, a simple game that provided months of entertainment.

Originally published in 1984 for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron computers, it was later released on the Atari 512. What I liked most about Elite was the open-ended game model, which meant I didn't have to follow a set path or do what the developers wanted. I could go where I want and do what I want. I did not, however, like those Thargoids. Unfortunately, it was quite dated when I got into Elite. However, a new version was coming very soon.

By the time I got hold of Frontier, I had an Amiga 500, which could play better games thanks to its superior hardware. Frontier brings Elite's open-ended gameplay into a better galaxy and extends the gameplay. There wasn't a plot to Frontier; instead, you could explore space, trade (legally or illegally), carry out missions for the military, ferry passengers from system to system, engage in piracy or any combination of the above. Consequently, Frontier could not be completed - you decide what to aspire to and set out to achieve it.

I have probably clocked up more hours playing Frontier than any other game.

I stopped playing Frontier because I upgraded from the Amiga to a PC, and the PC version of Frontier was utter trash. It wasn't all bad, however, because I was introduced to the Wing Commander series around this time, specifically Privateer. Like Elite, Privateer follows an open-ended design in which you are a freelancer and can be a pirate, a merchant, a mercenary or any of the above in combination. It did feature a built-in plot, but you were free to adventure on your own, even after the plot had been completed.

I had to wait until 2003 before returning to space trading, but it was worth the wait. Freelancer was a space trading and combat simulation game from Microsoft. While the game featured open-ended gameplay, it was closely tied to the main plot. Between storyline missions, you can do whatever you want: exploration, trading, mining, mercenary work, piracy or working for the police. The problem with Freelancer was that there wasn't much left once you had completed the story. Just more of the same. And it now seems like the space trading and combat simulator has ceased to be.

Fast forward to 2010, and I have just been introduced to EVE Online. Like Elite back in the 80's, this game is open-ended, and you can do whatever you want. You can work in several careers: mining, exploration, piracy, merchant, mercenary, manufacturing, hauling, business, and so much more. EVE is an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), which means that there are tens of thousands of other players with whom to interact in the game. Some, like me, are just starting, while others have been playing for years.