At Ars Orbiting HQ, we have a deep love for games—ranging from the latest releases to ancient classics. To share our passion, we've teamed up with GOG.com to present a store page that showcases a handpicked collection of our preferred games from GOG's library. We'll refresh this collection monthly, removing some games while adding new selections, maintaining a lineup of around 50 titles. Twice each month, we release a personal reflection on one of these games, spotlighting either a nostalgic favorite or a modern gem you might have overlooked. GOG ensures these games are available DRM-free. Feel free to explore our earlier articles in this series! While today’s article is the sole C:\ArsGames entry for December, we will return to our regular schedule in January. Wishing you happy holidays!
Since the release of Wing Commander: Privateer in 1993, I've used it as an unconscious benchmark for judging games based on the immersive experiences it offers.
Platforms like Steam and PlayStation, which I frequently use, have adopted annual summary features similar to Spotify Wrapped. According to these summaries, my top-played games in 2025 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
- Unreal Tournament
Apart from Civilization VII and Unreal Tournament, most of these games involve exploring vast, open environments that immerse players in otherworldly realms.
My appreciation for open-world experiences began in the early 1990s with Wing Commander: Privateer. This game taught me to enjoy crafting my own fictional journey more than following a pre-defined storyline.
Privateer does contain a narrative with missions, but the real thrill lies in discovering new systems, admiring stunning CG artwork, understanding and upgrading your ships, and mastering an intricately modeled economy.
Credit: GOG The CG-rendered planetary backdrops from Privateer captivated me in the '90s, and they continue to enchant me, likely spurred by nostalgia.
The main narrative in Privateer is the one players construct in their imagination. This element of fantasy is still central to the games I cherish today.
Privateer’s Legacy and Impact
Immensely influential, Privateer's legacy continues to resonate. While it built on the foundation laid by 1984's Elite, adding the universe and mechanics of Wing Commander, it introduced a meticulously crafted setting that revolutionized gameplay. Although Elite laid groundwork in the mid-'80s, it now appears more like a precursor to future innovations than a fully realized game.