Privateer Press

Privateer Press is a tabletop games production and publishing studio based in Bellevue, Washington. Its activities have included role-playing games, miniature wargames, board games, card games, collectible miniatures, acrylic hobby paints, painted display models, and associated fiction and periodical publishing. The company operates in a sector where rules systems, miniature design, setting development, painting, organized play, and distribution are closely connected, and it has generally presented its products as premium, setting-driven alternatives to more generic fantasy and science-fiction games. The company was formed in 2000 by Matt Wilson, Brian Snoddy, and writer Matt Staroscik to publish their own d20-system supplements. Miniatures specialist Mike McVey joined the partnership early as Miniatures Director. Wilson and Snoddy contributed cover and interior artwork to the company's first Iron Kingdoms adventures, which began appearing in 2001. These early publications established the Iron Kingdoms as a distinctive steampunk-fantasy world combining firearms, machinery, magic, and industrial visual design. Privateer Press's principal commercial breakthrough came with Warmachine: Prime in 2003. Warmachine adapted the Iron Kingdoms setting into a miniatures-based tabletop wargame centered on heavily armed warjacks, warcasters, and competing factions. Hordes later expanded the same broad setting concept through armies built around warbeasts and powerful warlocks. Together, Warmachine and Hordes became the company's signature product family and supported miniatures, rulebooks, fiction, hobby materials, organized play, and related games. The company subsequently broadened its catalogue beyond its flagship wargames. Its products included Iron Kingdoms role-playing games and adventure board games, the Grind miniature sports game, High Command deck-building games, Monsterpocalypse collectible miniatures, Level 7 science-fiction games, Riot Quest, Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika, and smaller board and card titles. Formula P3 acrylic paints and Privateer Press Masterworks painted statues extended the brand into hobby supplies and premium collectibles. The company also published No Quarter, a house magazine that served as a channel for rules, fiction, previews, and community material before publication ended in 2018. Privateer Press maintained manufacturing and distribution operations in the United States and licensed manufacturing capacity in the United Kingdom to support international demand. In 2017 it established Black Anchor Heavy Industries as an in-house production team focused on large-based models and production-cost control. The company also explored digital expansion: in 2009 it partnered with WhiteMoon Dreams on a proposed console adaptation of Warmachine. Privateer Press has been associated with a strong art direction, substantial production values, and rules-oriented game design. Its products received industry recognition including Origins Awards and ENnie Awards, with the company cited as an overall Best Publisher in 2001. It has also supported Child's Play, including participation in a 2009 charity auction that led to the creation of a Warmachine-themed downloadable song for Rock Band; proceeds from that track were directed to the charity. In June 2024, Privateer Press sold the Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron Kingdoms brands to Steamforged Games. That transaction changed ownership of several of the company's most recognizable intellectual properties while leaving Privateer Press's own corporate identity and historical role as a tabletop publisher distinct from the acquiring company. The available reference material does not establish a complete current product catalogue or the company's full post-transaction operating structure.

Privateer Press was established in 2000 by Matt Wilson, Brian Snoddy, and writer Matt Staroscik. The founders initially focused on publishing their own d20-system role-playing supplements. Mike McVey joined the partnership early as Miniatures Director, bringing specialist experience relevant to the company's later emphasis on sculpted figures and miniature-based games. Wilson and Snoddy produced artwork for the company's first Iron Kingdoms adventures, which were published beginning in 2001. The Iron Kingdoms became the creative foundation for Privateer Press's most important product line. The setting combined fantasy magic with industrial technology, firearms, steam-powered machinery, and a visually distinctive military aesthetic. In 2003 the company released Warmachine: Prime, a miniature wargame set in that world. The game focused on warcasters and warjacks, giving players a faction-based system built around tactical positioning, characterful machines, and detailed miniatures. Hordes extended the setting and rules environment with armies centered on warlocks and warbeasts. The two lines became closely associated with the Privateer Press identity and supported a broad ecosystem of miniatures, rulebooks, fiction, hobby products, and organized play. Privateer Press also developed products outside its central wargames. Its catalogue included Iron Kingdoms role-playing games, the Undercity and Widower's Wood adventure board games, Grind, High Command, Riot Quest, Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika, Monsterpocalypse, the Level 7 science-fiction series, and several smaller board and card games. Formula P3 acrylic paints served miniature painters, while Privateer Press Masterworks offered painted display pieces. The company also published No Quarter, a bimonthly house magazine containing material connected with its games and settings. The company maintained headquarters and a U.S. factory and distribution center in Bellevue, Washington. It also licensed a factory in the United Kingdom to increase production capacity for global markets. In 2009, Privateer Press partnered with WhiteMoon Dreams on a console adaptation of Warmachine, reflecting an attempt to extend the property beyond physical tabletop play. On October 20, 2017, Privateer Press formed Black Anchor Heavy Industries, an internal production group designed to create large-based models while helping manage manufacturing costs. In September 2018, after twelve years, the company announced the end of No Quarter. These changes reflected a continuing adjustment of production and publishing activities around the company's game lines. Privateer Press received industry recognition for its presentation, art direction, and game design, including Origins Awards and ENnie Awards. It was also connected with Child's Play, a charity supporting children in hospitals. In 2009, the company won an item in the charity's holiday auction and used it to commission a downloadable Warmachine song for Rock Band. The track premiered at PAX in 2010, and proceeds were donated to Child's Play. In June 2024, Privateer Press sold the Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron Kingdoms brands to Steamforged Games. The transaction transferred several of the publisher's best-known properties but does not, on the available evidence, establish that Privateer Press itself ceased to exist. The company's current catalogue, ownership arrangements beyond the stated sale, and executive structure require further verification.

• 2024

  Three major brands are sold to Steamforged Games

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Steamforged Games acquires the Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron Kingdoms brands from Privateer Press.

• 2018

  No Quarter publication ends

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  The company announces the end of its bimonthly house magazine after twelve years.

• 2017

  Black Anchor Heavy Industries is created

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Privateer Press establishes an in-house production team for large-based models and manufacturing-cost management.

• 2010

  Warmachine charity song premieres

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  A Warmachine-themed song connected to the Child's Play charity initiative premieres at PAX and is later made available for Rock Band.

• 2009

  Warmachine video-game partnership is announced

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Privateer Press partners with WhiteMoon Dreams on a console adaptation of Warmachine.

• 2003

  Warmachine: Prime is released

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Warmachine: Prime introduces the company's signature miniature wargame in the Iron Kingdoms universe.

• 2001

  First Iron Kingdoms adventures are published

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Privateer Press begins publishing Iron Kingdoms adventures, establishing the setting that later supports Warmachine and Hordes.

• 2000

  Privateer Press is founded

  [1]Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Matt Wilson, Brian Snoddy, and Matt Staroscik form the company to publish d20 role-playing supplements; Mike McVey joins the early partnership as Miniatures Director.

A setting-led tabletop games publisher emphasizing detailed miniatures, distinctive industrial-fantasy and science-fiction worlds, premium presentation, and rules-focused play.

• Miniature wargame · 2003

  Warmachine

  Privateer Press's flagship miniature wargame, Warmachine is set in the Iron Kingdoms and centers on warcasters commanding mechanized warjacks and faction armies. Its identity combines tactical tabletop play with industrial-fantasy worldbuilding, detailed miniatures, faction rules, and a broader ecosystem of publications and hobby products. Warmachine: Prime, released in 2003, established the core game line. The Warmachine brand was sold to Steamforged Games in 2024.

• Miniature wargame

  Hordes

  Hordes is a companion miniature wargame associated with the Iron Kingdoms setting. Instead of emphasizing mechanized warjacks, its armies are built around warlocks, warbeasts, and other faction forces. The line broadened Privateer Press's central tabletop system and offered a contrasting play style while remaining connected to the company's signature setting and miniature design approach.

• Role-playing game setting and game line · 2001

  Iron Kingdoms

  Iron Kingdoms is Privateer Press's steampunk-fantasy universe, combining magic, firearms, industrial machinery, and competing military powers. The setting began with role-playing adventures in 2001 and later became the shared fictional foundation for Warmachine and Hordes. Privateer Press also released Iron Kingdoms role-playing games and adventure board games, including Undercity and Widower's Wood. The Iron Kingdoms brand was sold to Steamforged Games in 2024.

• Acrylic hobby paint

  Formula P3

  Formula P3, also known as Privateer Press Paint, is a line of acrylic paints intended primarily for painting tabletop miniatures and models. It extended the company's role from game publisher and miniature producer into the hobby-supplies market, supporting the finishing and customization of figures used in its games and other miniature systems. The brand was sold to Steamforged Games in 2024.

• Collectible miniatures game

  Monsterpocalypse

  Monsterpocalypse is a collectible miniatures game in which players use large monsters and supporting forces in battles with a cinematic giant-creature theme. The line demonstrates Privateer Press's expansion beyond the Iron Kingdoms and its willingness to combine collectible product formats with tactical miniature gameplay. A licensed Voltron standalone set was also associated with the broader Monsterpocalypse catalogue.

• Miniature wargame

  Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika

  Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika is a science-fiction miniature game in Privateer Press's catalogue. It applies the company's experience with faction-based miniature combat to a high-tech setting distinct from the fantasy-industrial Iron Kingdoms. The available reference material identifies it as a major game line but does not provide enough detail to describe its complete rules structure or current availability.

• Miniature skirmish board game

  Riot Quest

  Riot Quest is a miniature skirmish board game set in an alternate timeline connected to events following the Warmachine and Hordes period known as Oblivion. It uses a more compact and character-driven format than the company's principal massed miniature wargames and draws on the wider Privateer Press setting and character library.

• Deck-building card game

  High Command

  High Command is a deck-building card game line based on Privateer Press properties. It translates factional conflict and unit development into a card-driven format, allowing the company to extend its settings and characters beyond miniatures. The available source identifies the line but does not specify all editions, release dates, or current distribution status.

• Science-fiction board game series

  Level 7

  Level 7 is a science-fiction board game series that includes Level 7: Escape, Level 7: Omega Protocol, and Level 7: Invasion. The games represent Privateer Press's efforts to publish standalone science-fiction tabletop experiences alongside its miniature wargames and fantasy role-playing products.

• Painted miniature statues

  Privateer Press Masterworks

  Privateer Press Masterworks is a line of painted statues and display miniatures. It reflects the company's emphasis on sculpting, painting, and premium presentation, offering finished collectible pieces rather than only unpainted gaming figures or rules products.

• 2009Child's Play charity auction and Warmachine song

  United States

  Privateer Press supported Child's Play by bidding in the charity's holiday auction and winning an item donated by Harmonix. The result was an arrangement to commission a downloadable Warmachine song for Rock Band, written by Jerry Holkins. The song premiered at PAX in 2010 and was later released for download.

  Outcome. Proceeds from the track were donated to Child's Play, extending the company's charitable association into a game-related music release.

  Source

• 2024

  Sell Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron KingdomsM&A

  Background

  Privateer Press transferred ownership of three prominent brands associated with its core wargaming, hobby-paint, and setting businesses.

  Action taken

  In June 2024, the company sold the Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron Kingdoms brands to Steamforged Games.

  Aftermath

  Steamforged Games became the owner of the named brands. The available material does not state the transaction value or fully explain Privateer Press's remaining operations.

  Source

• 2018

  End publication of No QuarterOther

  Background

  After twelve years, Privateer Press reassessed its bimonthly house-magazine publishing activity.

  Action taken

  The company announced that it would discontinue No Quarter.

  Aftermath

  The magazine ceased to be part of the company's ongoing publication programme; the available source does not describe a replacement publication.

  Source

• 2017

  Create Black Anchor Heavy IndustriesStrategy

  Background

  Privateer Press sought an internal production structure for the manufacture of large-based models while addressing production costs.

  Action taken

  The company established Black Anchor Heavy Industries as an in-house production team on October 20, 2017.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not quantify the team's output or provide detailed financial results.

  Source

1. 1Privateer Pressen.wikipedia.org