Anyone know any games that adhere to the kinda freedom of structure as elite? (trading and raiding etc.) The kinda game itself does not matter (Pirates!, Mount and Blade, Privateer,) as long as the game does both trading and raiding etc pretty well, so no games that focus on the one thing.

The X series picked up where Elite left off (or Privateer, if you wish). X3 - Terran conflict is really the pinnacle of the series. Not much to say really, it's an open-end space trading/fighting/station managing/doing whatever you feel like doing.

Even though it is oft compared to other style games, X really feels more like a money sim in space then a freelance kinda exploration game, mostly due to the high cost of everything. atleast thats my experience with it.

I do fairly like X though.

singe player competitive economic games are fine if your not in the mood to get fucked over when trading. however, competitive economics is all about fucking someone over, and fucking over a NPC is a dead and lifeless act in comparison to fucking over another human.

as a result there just isn't any money in single player side of things because EVE kinda killed this genre. It's sort of like the quake wars of competitive economists, so everyone is too busy throwing their money at it to have time for anything non-EVE.

*edit*

oh, your more into the "do what I want" style of game. take a look at a game called "SPAZ" (Space Pirates and Zombies), it's a top down 360 degree shooter with an extensive crafting system. I've heard it described as a free form 2D version of Homeworld: cataclysm. it's $14.99 on Impulse and GamersGate, but it's still in beta (so think of it as pre-ordering w/ beta access). if you don't mind the cynical brit, there is a pretty good video overview here

Huh... wouldn't happen to have any suggestions would you?

The port royal series would fit you requirements of both trading and raiding. Though I found the trading to be small scale compared to the money you could make from raiding, so you quickly just end up hijacking ships.

sorry, was referencing the "X" series of games and the associated style of gameplay. I was editing my post while you replied, check out "SPAZ" (as I ninja-ed into my prior comment).

Ok, thank you

EDIT: DO WANT, but i am seem to be short in terms of how much money i have at the moment, got 10$ atm but i will have more next week

The "Age of Pirates" games fit the bill.

Check out Space Rangers 2. Trading is not a huge element in the game, but it's got a dynamic economy and is a good way to earn money initially, especially since events can happen that affect demand and supply.

SR2 also happens to be one of my most favourite games.

yeah, I want it too but I'm also too short on cash to justify it. it should still be on sale untill the game actually "ships" as a final product.

Oolite (http://www.oolite.org/) is a free multi-platform port of Elite with modern graphics. You can add extra ships and missions via their extension packs (OXPs). I play it occasionally rather than fire up my BBC :)

I tried that, a very nice remake of Elite (sorry folks can't be the original)
Recreates the game wonderfully, and the OXPs are wonderful, beats most commercial Space sims dead in space. I have yet to see a game that handles mods as wonderfully as oolite (it's easier to use then the Bethesda games mods).

Vega Strike is another great one with lots of variety, the prebuilt campaign is pretty amazing for a freeware game and beats out most commercial titles. It also has some mods here and there, but it's not nearly as impressive as oolite in most regards.

I just got Evochron Mercenary and i will tell you guys what I think about this one.
Of all the Space Sims out there this one seems to adhere to the gameplay of Elite the most.

In development:

http://pioneerspacesim.net

Whilst I'm linking, I might as well throw these two into the mix:

http://fractalsoftworks.com/ - Starfarer

http://code.google.com/p/naev/ - Naev

If Pioneer is even remotely as interesting as it looks to be, then i will back it up as fully as i possibly can.