View source for Privateer 2: The Darkening

[[File:Privateer 2.jpg|thumb|Privateer 2]]'''''Privateer 2: The Darkening''''' is a space flight simulation game released in 1996 for MS-DOS and published by Electronic Arts under the [[Origin Systems]] brand.

It is a direct sequel to [[Wing Commander: Privateer|''Wing Commander: Privateer.'']] Developed in the period following the success of ''[[Wing Commander III]]'', ''Privateer 2: The Darkening'' was conceived as a cinematic evolution of the ''Privateer'' gameplay model. ''Privateer 2'' was developed in the UK by [[Erin Roberts]] and his team at EA Manchester with its full-motion video cutscenes filmed on sets built at Pinewood studios.

Set in 2790,''The Darkening'' takes place in a remote corner of the ''Wing Commander'' universe known as the Tri-System. Planet Anhur has been home to humans for some two thousand years, with the locals having independently developed faster-than-light drives from the Confederation. The futuristic setting lets players utilize advanced jump gates, short-range time travel devices and massive [[:Category:Cargo ships|cargo ships]]. The game puts the player in the shoes of Ser Lev Arris, a mysterious figure in search of his past.

Boasting an all-star cast, the game stars Clive Owen as Ser Arris, supported by Christopher Walken, David Warner, Jürgen Prochnow, Mathilda May, and John Hurt, among others. ''Privateer 2'' peppers the experience with random cinematic mini-plot missions. Certain upgrades are only available once these subplots have been completed, and entire character arcs are explored with recorded video cutscenes separate from the main story.

After the game's release, some members of the development team at EA Manchester went on to found Warthog Games, developer of the space simulator ''[[Starlancer (video game)|Starlancer]]''.

*A ''Privateer 2'' copy signed by [[Erin Roberts]], [[Nick Elms]] and [[Phil Meller]], a 3 1/2 ft physical model of The “Heretic” ship, nicknamed “Luftwaffe Pants” by the dev team, a giant limited Privateer 2 Poster used for advertising in the UK, a smaller advertising card, a number of original box art concepts as well as some original spacecraft concepts, were up for grabs during a [[Star Citizen]] competition.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/13438-Foundry-42-Opening-Contest|text=Foundry 42 Opening Contest|accessdate=2013-12-20}}</ref>