The Adrenaline Vault previews X - Beyond the Frontier looking ahead at this upcoming space sim that's still on the way in the US, in spite of the impression it may be out already, since there's been a version out in Europe for a while now (not to mention that X benchmarking tech demo release oh-so-long ago). The preview describes an open-ended game that allows for differing styles of play:

For example, you know you have to make money -- so, you can become a legitimate businessperson, buying and selling goods from the many outposts and factories scattered throughout space and playing for profit within X's fully functional model of supply and demand. If you're so inclined, you can even purchase factories and refineries, hire ships to provide it with raw materials and haul goods, and become a corporate mogul. On the other hand, it's also possible to operate on the fringes of society, preying on above-board trade as a bloodthirsty pirate. Or, you can do something in between.