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[[File:Wing Commander Privateer cover.jpg|thumb|Wing Commander: Privateer cover]]'''''Wing Commander: Privateer''''' is an adventure space trading and combat simulator computer game released by [[Origin Systems]] on September 23 1993.

[[Chris Roberts]] was executive producer, devised the original concept and did a lot of the initial design while [[Erin Roberts]] was associate producer.<ref name=":0">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9FmVWiUoFo Happy Hour Museum: Wing Commander Privateer], Star Citizen, YouTube, 31 mars 2017</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/HJsap-vZgiE?feature=shared&t=192 Star Citizen - Overview, Star Citizen], YouTube, 9 february 2014</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/RpHGEtOXFvE?feature=shared&t=219 10 For the Chairman Episode 25. June 16th, 2014], Star Citizen, YouTube</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/ezrghcBRcSk?feature=shared&t=1161 10 for the Chairman: Episode 70], Star Citizen, YouTube, 17 nov. 2015</ref>

The player takes the role of Grayson Burrows, the eponymous privateer who travels through the Gemini Sector, one of many sectors in the [[Wing Commander (series)|''Wing Commander'' universe]]. Unlike ''Wing Commander'', the player is no longer a navy pilot, but a freelancer who can trade, pirate, be a mercenary as he wishes. The player can adventure on his own between plot missions or after finishing the plot.<ref name=":0" />

The game takes place about 2 years after the events in [[Wing Commander II|''Wing Commander II'']] and at the same time as the events of [[Wing Commander III|''Wing Commander III'']].<ref name=":0" />

While Chris Roberts earlier Wing Commander games were more black and white, Privateer has a more complex, vibrant and nuanced world allowing more opportunities for the different professions. Nevertheless Chris Roberts still felt that if there was more intrigue and tension in the structure of the ruling government, having different potential threats on the borders, the game would be more interesting, which later influenced the choice to use the [[Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|decline and fall of the roman empire]] for [[Star Citizen]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/live/6-MF7xYMB0A?feature=shared&t=2788 Star Citizen: 4th Anniversary Livestream], Star Citizen, YouTube, 18 nov. 2016</ref>

Unlike other games in the Wing Commander series, the gameplay is primarily a sandbox.<ref name=":0" />

Privateer took its inspiration from Han Solo and the the whole idea of being the smuggler. It's all about moving and building your own spaceship and being a commercial smuggler privateer fighter. The player builds up a custom ship over time and you get to customize it, what the weapons are, the engine and the shields. While in combat has to manipulate to manipulate those things, which was way ahead of it time<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnmesmZETO8 The Making of Wing Commander, BioForge & Ultima Online - Starr Long Interview (Origin Systems]), Arcade Attack Retro Gaming Network, YouTube, Aug 11, 2024 </ref>. [[Wing Commander: Privateer|''Privateer'']] was Chris Roberts' first game to feature shield management.<ref>{{Cite RSI|url=https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/14489-Design-Shields-Management|text=Design Notes: Shields & Management|accessdate=2015-02-07}}</ref>

This was the last series to be based on the Wing Commander engine before Origin made the transition to full 3D for its flight sims. It came with an optional speech pack.<ref>[https://www.pixsoriginadventures.co.uk/day-95-wing-commander-privateer/ Day 95 – Wing Commander: Privateer], pixsoriginadventures.co.uk, October 13, 2008</ref>

Basic gameplay consists of flying and fighting with the ship in a star system, jumping from system to system via jump points, landing on bases or planets, interacting with people (mainly talking) and buying or selling equipment or commodities. Most star systems have planets or bases that may be visited.

The game is mostly played in first person view for immersion, playing from inside the cockpit or to talk with people.

For a while ''Privateer'' was the best selling OEM game ever, often shipped with a new computer or a new sound card.<ref name=":0" />

After the success of Privateer a direct sequel was to be done at Origin by the same team, alongside Privateer III and a Privateer TV serie, however it ended up not happening. In 1995-1996 Erin Roberts was working at Warthog in the UK on a game called first Darkside, then The Darkening, which Electronic Arts decided to call Privateer The Darkening due to its similarity with Privateer before naming it Privateer II.<ref name=":0" />

Following the sucess of Ultima Online, also by Origin, numerous attempts at a Privateer Online were made.<ref name=":0" />

After Tony Zurovec left Origin with Chris Roberts to create Digital Anvil, the team from the Crusader games went on to work on Privateer III but it ended up being cancelled.<ref name=":0" />

in 2006-2007 Electronic Arts did a ''Wing Commander Arena'' top down shooter for X-box live arcade for which [[Ben Lesnick]] did some lore, wrote the manual, and brought it in line with the [[Wing Commander (series)|''Wing Commander'']] continuity. There were plans for a ''Privateer'' DLC which did not come to fruition.<ref name=":0" />