The framework in which Braben’s ambitions will be realized is a political thriller with elements of 24 and The Fugitive - but, as he insists, the plot itself is very much down to you, and not just in the “choose the good or evil path” way that we’re more than used to by now. You take on the role of an unnamed CIA operative who’s placed in the frame for murdering the President in the very opening minutes of the game. What happens next is your call - you can clear your name, wreak revenge on the perpetrators, or even join them and bring down the whole US government. Or just wander round shooting indiscriminately - this game won’t tell you what to do, and it won’t push you in any direction via pre-scripted cut-scenes. Whatever happens, happens - and you’re in control.

The thing is, you can’t doubt that Frontier really cares about making a superb, momentous game more than any other developer - Braben is a great believer in gaming as an art form, more akin to great cinema than a fun pastime. And bearing in mind that the earliest release date is the end of 2008, you can be sure that not one second of gameplay will escape quality control until it’s absolutely ready to escape. Just imagine what it’ll look like after another 18 months of painstaking work.