Uncharted Waters

Uncharted Waters, originally released as Daikoukai Jidai (大航海時代, Daikōkai Jidai; "Great Age of Sailing"), is a Japanese business simulation/strategy/role-playing video game series produced by Koei under its "Rekoeition" brand, themed around seafaring adventures during the Age of Discovery. In the games, the player takes up the role of a captain (or commodore in some translations) and manages a seagoing fleet to participate in trades, privateering, treasure hunting, exploration and plain piracy. Even though the series is largely open-ended, there is still a loose plot which requires the player to follow certain paths, and deviating from these paths may stall the progress of the story.

In East Asia, the series has a large cult following, but it has not received much recognition outside the region. It has been compared to the earlier Sid Meier's Pirates! in gameplay and theme.

Historical background

In Japan, the term "daikoukai jidai" refers to the Age of Discovery, the period between the 15th century and the 17th century when European explorers sailed the seas to open new alternative ways to Asia when the Ottoman Empire blocked the land routes.

This period was characterized by the rivalry between Spain and Portugal, the advent of colonization, and general exploration. In later games, other countries are also involved. Some historical events during the Age of Discovery, like the Treaty of Tordesillas, were mentioned.