Escape Velocity is a single-player role-playing space trading and combat video game series first introduced in 1996 by Ambrosia Software for the Macintosh.

Two other similar games based on the original, EV Override and Escape Velocity Nova, followed in 1998 and 2002 respectively, the latter of which is also available on Microsoft Windows.

Ambrosia Software, headed by Andrew Welch, managed marketing, registration, and distribution, as well as providing several external libraries used by the games.

Version 1.1.0 of EV Nova, released in December 2008, is a Universal Binary, and runs natively on Intel-based Macs.

There is also the character called 'Cap'n Hector' (named after Ambrosia's mascot and office parrot) who reminds the player to register.

In addition to the attacks by Cap'n Hector, certain ships and technologies cannot be obtained after the thirty-day trial ends, and even before then, the game's story lines stop about two thirds of the way through, and plug-ins are not supported.

Much of the game takes place in two-dimensional space, with the player flying a ship from a third-person overhead perspective.

A turbo boost can be acquired which, when activated, plays an audio clip from the introduction to the British television program Thunderbirds.

As noted earlier, the player may choose sides (or not) based on who they believe is right, who they believe is stronger, who they believe it is more profitable to support, or any other criteria.

According to the game, after winning the war with the aliens, the Confederation did not relinquish its naval power and began exploiting the resources of the outer worlds.

The Rebellion is in turn criticized for its aggressive nature, support of quasi-criminal organizations, and attacks on civilian shipping and liners.

The Cydonians of New Cydonia and Letheans of Lethe Prime occupy two systems in the galactic southeast of the galaxy and are also locked in a war over water rights at the start of the game; more specific information regarding the conflict is never provided.

The Artemis Group are a family run organization devoted to eliminating pirates as well as ensure the galactic order remains balanced.

There are a number of Pirates in the game, who immediately attempt to destroy any non-Pirate ship they spot, with the exception of the player once they have achieved a high combat rating.

Many subsequent games explicitly cite Escape Velocity as an or the primary influence on their design, such as 3030 Deathwar,[4] Endless Sky,[5] Gaia Beyond,[6] Space RPG,[7] and Naev.