In December of 2000, a newly founded company combined an unprecedented level of professional talent with the goal to embrace creativity in the pursuit of designing quality gaming products. Pulling from a variety of disciplines and experiences within the games industry, Privateer Press was born. With their very first product, they established themselves as a creative powerhouse.

In January of 2001, the initial offering from Privateer Press introduced a new world and brand—The Iron Kingdoms™—through a series of unparalleled role playing game (RPG) adventures dubbed the “Witchfire Trilogy.” These three books were The Longest Night, Shadow of the Exile, and The Legion of Lost Souls, and they immediately achieved critical acclaim, garnering several industry awards that highlighted everything from high production value and quality of artwork to the ingenuity and originality of this new setting. Following the “Witchfire Trilogy,” another award-winning RPG blockbuster entitled the Monsternomicon set a new standard for many publications to follow. It was a product that propelled Privateer into a position to execute the next phase of their publishing agenda.

After nearly two years of development in the midst of fending off detractors who would insist that the hobby game market was overburdened, Privateer Press presented the industry with a new phenomenon in tabletop miniatures battle games—WARMACHINE™. The new tabletop game, set in the already popular world of the Iron Kingdoms, took the industry by surprise, selling off the shelf as quickly as it could be stocked. WARMACHINE’s instant success immediately established Privateer as a leading manufacturer of miniatures hobby games. Over the first few months of the game’s availability, thousands of members joined the online WARMACHINE fan forums almost overnight and, eight months later, the game’s popularity continues to escalate, its product demand still outpacing Privateer Press’ capacity to supply.

The appeal of Privateer’s products is worldwide. By 2004, their games will be available in over a half-dozen languages. Distribution reaches every corner of the globe, on every continent with a game store. The Iron Kingdoms and WARMACHINE brands continue to build momentum and market awareness as Privateer strategically negotiates licensing opportunities to support their product lines in various media and platforms.

The founders of Privateer Press are not newcomers to the gaming industry. They understand that games are but one aspect of cross-media development. Privateer set out from day-one to create an original property, appealing to a new generation of fantasy fans who have come of age in an era of high-octane entertainment. Attention to detail, a strong connection, personal interaction with their customer base, and an absolute dedication to producing only the highest quality products ensures Privateer’s games a place on the shelf alongside the most successful properties of our time.

Key to the success of Privateer’s mission is its three founding members, whose veteran status as talents in the hobby game arena long preceded the origin of Privateer Press. The combination of experience and skill is the catalyst for a creative synergy found in few fledgling companies.

Mike McVey spent thirteen years as a painter and sculptor of miniature models for the world renowned Games Workshop, publishers of the popular Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40K battles games. McVey is credited as one of the elite artists who took the miniatures hobby to an art form, and is responsible for authoring countless articles and publications promoting the popular pastime and tutoring legions of hobby enthusiasts in the fine art of his craft. McVey also spent three years as the director of 3D production for the game industry mogul, Wizards of the Coast, before joining the Privateer crew as an executive member. At Privateer, McVey directs the 3D department, known as Rivet Head Studios, and is responsible for the production of every miniature produced for Privateer’s game line.

Twelve years as a freelance illustrator has earned Brian Snoddy, one of the original three founders, celebrity status in the fantasy art arena. Snoddy has experienced every form of illustration media from television animation to video games, to high profile game product covers, and more. He is credited on such products as the Battletech and WildCats cartoon series, the critically acclaimed Girl Genius comic series, and the popular Magic: the Gathering and Legend of the Five Rings collectible card games. As one of the original creators for the Iron Kingdoms setting, Brian Snoddy has brought life to the magnificence of this new world in literally hundreds of illustrations, visually describing in painstaking detail the inhabitants and landscapes of a place that only imagination can take you.

Matt Wilson guides the development of Privateer’s Iron Kingdoms and WARMACHINE properties. In addition to a prolific career as a fantasy/sci-fi illustrator, Wilson has held positions as art director and artist for several companies, including Wizards of the Coast, AEG, and the former publisher of Shadowrun and Battletech, FASA. His credits include being one of the original game designers and the art director responsible for setting the look of the critically acclaimed Legend of the Five Rings collectible card game, and he spent three years as the lead concept illustrator for the world popular, Magic: the Gathering published by Wizards of the Coast. Wilson’s paintings are found on the covers of dozens of magazines, hobby games, video games, and novels, for such publishers as Harper Collins, White Wolf, and Wizards of the Coast. Armed with a decade of experience and success, Matt Wilson designs the games for Privateer Press, guiding them through creative concept to final execu tion, managing the development of the products both intellectually and visually.

Overall, Privateer Press has been met with resounding applause in the game industry. Still new, the company is rapidly expanding as their product lines reach greater heights of awareness with fantasy enthusiasts. Additional products are scheduled in the near future, created with the same quality and dedication that has made their role playing games and miniatures already so popular. The world of the Iron Kingdoms and WARMACHINE will be further explored through multiple media platforms and licensing ventures. Motivated by the creative drive of a group of people committed to their craft, this new property is a promising mainstay of the fantasy game industry for years to come.