Hehe well I discovered the new installer when I was writing the Skyrim post, then found the original links had gone, so I figured it was a good time to chip in! :)

Doing Daggerfall next.

Edit: Daggerfall post has been updated!

Haha, Bently, I was actually going to update this post togeter with Daggerfall seeing as Skyrim has just been released. Despite the age of both games they are still excellent games to play. You don't get the same interactivity, but the story, the monsters, the magic and the travelling are there. Thanks for updating the post for me.

Just updating the links for The Elder Scrolls: Arena.

Official Download - Bethesda Software
Elder Scrolls: Arena website - Direct download

Additionally, a very kind person has simplified everything into a single installer! Ancestral Ghost at theelderscrolls.wiwiland.net has combined the download from Bethesda, above, with DOSBox 0.74, and some extras from the community. This installer will let you include or exclude the extras, as you please.

From the website:

ArenaSetup was created to install an easy, ready-to-play Arena on modern Windows Systems.

The game is version 1.07 (CD Version) and works with a pre-configured DosBox.

Like any Windows Setup, you can install Arena anywhere on your computer. The setup can add a shortcut on your desktop, a folder in your start menu and a quick launch icon. Off course, you can uninstall Arena as easily as you can install it.

Some of the options are a French translation (Project French Arena), French (AZERTY) keyboard, windowed mode, and graphics smoothing to make it a little easier on the eyes.

Run the game in a Window

Open the DosBox.conf file with a text editor and change fullscreen=true for fullscreen=false.

When you are playing, you can change screen mode with ALT + ENTER.
Smooth graphics

You can play with Arena default graphics, but you can also use a filter for have a smoother Arena. Open the DosBox.conf file with a text editor and change the following :

* Search the line output=Surface and replace surface with ddraw, opengl or openglnb.
* Search the line fullresolution=original and replace original with your screen resolution (1024x768 by example).
* Search the line scaler=normal2x and replace normal2x with normal3x, advmame2x, advmame3x, hq2x, hq3x, 2xsai, super2xsai, supereagle, advinterp2x, advinterp3x, tv2x, tv3x, rgb2x, rgb3x, scan2x or scan3x (You can see examples here).
* Save and exit "dosbox.conf".

The Elder Scrolls: Arena - Installer for modern PCs
Just click 'Download: ArenaSetup.exe (30Mo)'

And some screenshots :)

I checked the last link above and came across at least one game of the style you're looking for called Gate88, plus I found one more for you. there's probably more, but I've already taken out a big chunk of my morning finding the games for you, so will have to leave any more for later. (The search did turn up some more games that I think are suitable for the weekday games thread, so it worked in my favor as well). :)

I know DOSBox is a pain to get running, but when you do, the games are that much sweeter. I keep having trouble with the box, but it seems so sporadic I can't explain why sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. There's quite a few settings that you can fiddle with, which may help to solve the problem; but i'm hoping some kind soul, whose got some time and the inclination, to post some fixes.

Actually, at least one of the games I posted in the Space Shooters link (above) called Gate 88 is a space strategy game. The following is quoted from the download page:

Gate 88 is a interesting spaceshooter/RTS game. The graphics have an abstract retro feel to them. The music is a smooth techno beat, which really goes with the gameplay. There's a good interactive tutorial that really helps to get you into the strategy of the game. After that, you can play the practice mode to hone your skills. Still, the real fun comes when you play online, against other people.
You control a small ship in space.The aim of the game is to, (after building it), protect your base and destroy the others. With resources, you can build factories, to help generate resources faster.
You can also build research labs, in which you will be able to research on 3 areas:

General Research- Extends to 4 braches. Battery, which upgrades your ship's batter power, (improving it's ability to shoot continuously).
Heavy materials, which upgrades your ship's hp. Mechanics, which increases your ship's speed. Weapon pod, which gives your ship a weapon pod, thus shooting an extra laser. Energy decreases faster though.

Advanced Research- Two branches. Signals, which enables ability to build signal stations. Mini turret, which adds a turret to your ship that can aim on it's own.

Ship Config Research- You can switch your ship's mode after completing research on it. Stealth mode enables cloaking. Heavy mode gives your lasers closer-range heavy power. Regeneration gives your ship the ability to regenerate itself and others with a regenerating laser.

So, here's the main four menus: Research menu, Build menu, Ship orders menu, and ship config menu. You gain resources by time and the aid of your factories and also by destroying your enemy and his buildings.

Playing online is really fun. You can create alliances (and break them XD). You can chat and Private Message. Try it, I definitely recommend it!

Gate 88 Download page:

http://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f1818.html

Here's another one that i'll need to add to the other thread I think:

Space Baron:

Quote:

A strategic Space shooter + shop

This is one of the kind of games you can play for hours or even days. The game never ends which is a shame for such a great game.
Take your time, attack the enemy ships you want in order to collect goods and money. Sell your goods and upgrade your ship or buy a better one.
Personally I loved to fight in the environment of the space dock. Because it's a good place to hide when there are too much enemy ships. They cannot touch you when you are on the space dock ;)

Basics:
Space is a dangerous place! Navigate through space, defend yourself and collect goods, cash and other bonuses. You can enter the space dock by positioning your ship over the centre of the space dock, entering is automatic as long as the doors are open. Inside a menu lets you buy and sell goods.
With enough money you can puchase new ships, upgrades, warp fuel and gate passes. When you wish to travel to another sector use the mouse or number keys to select the sector (that you have a pass for) that you want to warp to. Then travel towards the warp gate, and as longs as you have fuel you will warp to that sector. Each sector is different, and is usually a little more dangerous than the last, but often availability and costs of goods and ships are different in each sector.

Controls:
F1 - Help
F2 - Toggle Radar (on or off , if available)
F3 - Toggle Statistics (% or value)
F4 - Toggle Full Screen Mode
F5 - Save Game
F6 - Load Game
F7 - Display Ship Inventory
1...8 - Select Warp Destination
Ctrl - Fire
Left - Turn ship left
Right - Turn ship right
Up - Main Thrusters
Down - Retro Thrusters
P - Pause
Esc - Exit game
In shop: Mouse

How I played the game:
By the start go left down untill you see the space dock (shop). Don't move a wait untill a gray enemy ship appears. Shoot it down. If it left money or a cargo pick it up and enter the shop. Enter the Goods Market. Look at the cost price of the items. When they are cheap, try to buy it. When expensive try to sell it.
eg. You got $40 and you can buy Mineral Ore for $10. Buy 4 items.
Click on "Back", then Exit Space Port.
If you are not good in fighting, just wait on the space dock untill it opens again. Look at the cost prices and sell the cargo if you can do some profit.
eg. Sell your 4 items Mineral Ore at $14. So you got $64.
Try to buy some other cheap items etc..
Of course you will become faster rich if you can shoot more than one ship down, but be careful: You are weak.
Try to buy as soon as possible the "Auxillary Generator". With that you will become much powerful.
Later, when you got more money you will be able to buy a better space ship. Just don't forget to sell your cargo first before buying a ship! For each new ship you have to buy a new "Auxillary Generator" and maybe a "Radar" too.
Good Luck!!!

Download page:

http://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f2971.html

Thanks for the links, but do you know of any other good space trader games in browser or freeware that don't involve DOSbox? I tried it and it froze several times before I got rid of it. Anyway, I'm more of the casual gamer, so I'd usually stick to browser games that I can pick up quickly off the internet and not have to install(several programs on the DOSbox side) any extra software. I'd also look at some freeware that doesn't need DOSbox(and even as I say that I acknowledge that I'll probably end up trying it again just to try some of those games again) or if there is any abandonware that's a bit newer and doesn't require DOS. Tall order I know, I'll be looking for some and I'll let you know if I find any.

Hi Albesir,

Here are some more free space trader games:

Elite:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/113/Elite.html

Elite Plus:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/386/Elite+Plus.html

Whales Voyage:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/532/Whales+Voyage.html

Others you may be interested in :

Star Reach:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/936/Star+Reach.html

Wing Commander:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/137/Wing+Commander.html

BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks inception:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/86/BattleTech+-+The+Crescent+Hawks+Inception.html

BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks Revenge:

http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/977/BattleTech+-+The+Crescent+Hawks+Revenge.html

And, if that’s not enough check out the Space shoot em ups thread for loads of other space orientated games that include freeware, free commercial games, abandonware and browser games:

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2724

I really enjoy the type of games like Riftspace, where you make money to upgrade ships. I usually do more of the trading systems and travel between places to make money to upgrade. If you've ever played some of the Tradewinds games, they are much more of that(merchants of the high seas during the age of pirates), and also have a combat system, but the ones I played didn't allow you to control your ships in combat. I also enjoy different typhoon games, so if you've found any of those I'd love to see some of them. I did find an online game where you trade between different star systems, and you can also fight space pirates(2D graphics, and much easier I think), commanding large fleets of ships, and conquer the universe under your own name. It's called Flash Trek, and it's based on Star Trek, so any fans of that show I'm sure would love to check it out. Personally it's one of the best games I've found online. Thanks again for the great free finds.

http://www.onlineflashgames.org/18-miscellaneous-games/2144-flash-game-flash-trek-2/play.html

These look more interesting than some of the priceier games.

Thanks Stephen. Your time and effort in finding these games for us is really appreciated.

Glad you're happy. I thought more would have been interested in such a title considering it's pedigree. 'Cest la Vie'

I've just come across another RPG game that's now free that's even earlier than Elder Scrolls. I remember buying it through one of those games clubs where you could buy the latest releases as a bargain proce. (though they still cost the earth back then, lol). I played it exclusively for several months, then had cause to reinstall it only to find one of the floppies it was on had becomne corrupted. That was annoying. Despite it's age I spent several hours playing it the other day and was just as enthralled.

regards

Stephen

Great work as usual mate. Thanks for Elder Scrolls.. I used to have this game but lost it. Now I can have fun again.

Okay; I’ve got several game for Mondays free games for the Weekday project. . I’m posting it a little early as I want to immerse myself in my favorite game tonight. I’ve included a series of space shooters and one more RPG to continue the theme of the past few days. The RPG I’ve included has spawned what is probably the best of the genre called Oblivion. I found the original one called Elder Scrolls I: Arena has been made abandonware. The graphics are ancient by today’s standards, but the game play offers all the aspects that you get in later Elder Scrolls games and it’s less than 2Mb in size. The three space shooters speak for themselves:

Arena: Elder Scrolls I

This is the very first of the award winning Elder Scrolls series which has culminated in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which is my favorite game of the moment. This first one retains all the scope of the later games without all the pretty graphics. Ensure you get DOSBox installed first though as otherwise you wont get the game to run (I’ve included a download link to both the game and the DOSBox.

I’ve included the instructions for installation below. You can find more detailed instructions within the data folder of the installed game. It’s recommended that you install the game directly to the root directory C:\

Installation of The Elder Scrolls: Arena

1. Run the file “Arena106.exe”
2. This will open a new window, which will offer to extract Arena. The default destination is C:\. This is the best location to use. When you click the install button, it will create the folder C:\Arena and extract the files to that folder.
3. Next, run the installer for the DOSBox DOS Emulator. Proceed through its installation as prompted. Once DOSBox is installed, continue on.
4. Click Start, then Run. In the “Run” box, type “command” (without the quotes) and click OK. This will open a Command Prompt window.
5. At the command prompt, type “CD\ARENA” (again, without the quotes) and push Enter. If your command prompt is logged on to a drive other than C:, please type “C:” and push enter, then “CD\ARENA”, followed by Enter.
6. Once you have entered the Arena folder, type INSTALL and push Enter. This will launch the configuration program for Arena.
7. Select “Configure Game”.
8. Select “Select Sound Card”. A list will appear. Select “Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible)”
9. Select “Select Music Card” and do the same.
10. In yellow letters near the top of the screen, it should say:
“Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) IO:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1” for both Sound and Music. If it does not, please enter the info in under both “Change Sound default” and Change music default.
11. Select Done, and then Exit.
12. Next, start the DOSbox Emulator. It should open it’s own window, logged into the Z:
13. At this prompt, type “MOUNT C C:\” and push enter. Then type “C:” and push Enter. Then “CD \ARENA”. Finally, “ARENA” to start the game.

Download Arena:

http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/downloads_arena-redirect.htm

Download DOSBox:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,49494-order,1-page,1/description.html

You will need to create a shortcut so that you can start DOSBox from either the desktop or start menu. There’s a tutorial in the games discussion thread (around page 5 I think) on how to create shortcuts to both the desktop and the start menu.

The game does work, so if you have any problems starting it up, please post here and I’ll try and figure out how to get it to work for you.

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Starwraith and Riftspace:

Starwraith: Shadows of Orion (9.5Mb)

Star Wraith 3 is an outstanding 3D Space Combat Simulator by StarWraith3D Games. There are different missions and campaigns. Lot of battle modes and environments

Embroiled in a brutal civil war, forces of the Alliance and Federation are unaware of the approaching danger until it's too late. The Lexington and its crew are alone and must face this new threat in the midst of uncharted space. You must use your wits, combat skills, and leadership ability to guide your squadron through several possible mission paths that will either lead to a climactic victory or complete destruction. Long-time enemies must become new allies and advanced experimental technology will be the standard in combat as the epic battle unfolds while you pilot the most powerful and elusive starfighters of the future...

Multiplayer
Star Wraith: Shadows of Orion features a versatile multiplayer system allowing players to join together from all over the world for action-packed 3D space combat. Gameplay is taken to a whole new level when real players are united in the game's universe. New elements of teamwork, strategy, and skill are introduced to the game through several custom environments and features that are only available in the multiplayer mode.

A must download if you like flightsims ;)

Download Link:

http://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f3062.html

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Starwrath: Reviction (11.2Mb)

Star Wraith 4 brought new features, gameplay, and effects to the game. This was the first game to feature a mining and tractor beam along with new mission objectives to go along with it (pilot rescue and asteroid mining). Capture-the-Sphere was added to multiplayer (requiring a player to retrieve the opposing team's sphere from their base and return it to their own). The campaign in this game was linear, consisting of just over 25 missions. Beam weapons were added to capital ships, which frequently engaged each other in battle while other conflicts were taking place. Control binding options were improved along with new textures for ships, larger asteroid fields, improved planetary terrain, and enhanced HUD graphics.</blockuote>

Download link:

http://www.gamershell.com/download_22755.shtml

Screenshots:

http://www.gamershell.com/pc/star_wraith_4_reviction/screenshots.html

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Riftspace (9.5Mb)

Choose your role in true freeform gameplay spanning over 20 planetary systems, buy better ships, weapons, and even pilots as you manage a team of mercenaries.
Pursue your fortune by negotiating contracts, assigning objectives to wingmen in your squadron, traveling in search of the best prices, hunting for the most loyal and highly skilled pilots to join you, customizing your ships with a variety of weapons, and exploring system hotspots for the most profitable contracts.
RiftSpace puts you in command and gives you the freedom to explore, trade, recruit, assign, negotiate, and battle for your success.

System Requirements:

- Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP or better operating system
- 64 MB RAM or more
- 32 MB 3D accelerated video card or better
- 40 MB Hard Drive Space
- 700 MHz processor minimum (900+ recommended)
- Note: DirectX 8.1 or higher is required

Reference: http://demonews.com/download-1251.html accessed 1st Oct 08

Download Link

http://www.gamershell.com/download_22753.shtml

or all three games can be downloaded from the following address:

http://starwraith3dgames.home.att.net/go.htm

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