A classic space sim conceived by Star Citizen's creator just got an unofficial sequel after 15 years of development: 'The project was based on the crazy idea that Microsoft "axed" Christ Roberts' Freelancer'

Before he spent thirteen years struggling to finish Star Citizen, Chris Roberts spent six years struggling to finish Freelancer. Digital Anvil's third-person space-sim was conceived by Roberts in the late nineties. But after blasting through both Freelancer's budget and its planned two-and-a-half-year development cycle, Digital Anvil was acquired by Microsoft. Roberts left the company shortly after the buyout—though he remained involved with Freelancer as a creative consultant.

Freelancer eventually released in 2003...