In 1578, a sailor named Francis Drake changed the world. For nearly a hundred years, Spain had monopolized planetary commerce as galleons heaped with treasure sailed from the Caribbean to Cadiz under the protection of King Phillip's warships. The most powerful empire on earth was invincible, ...at least for a while.

Drake made history on a voyage aboard a tiny vessel named 'The Golden Hind.' He and his crew of privateers outwitted the Spanish navy and made off with 26 tons of gold, silver and jewels. The news spread like fire. Spanish domination was over.

400 years later, my own voyage began after discovering 'the game of outrageous fortune.' I played it with my friends and they wanted their own copies, so I began manufacturing them in my garage. Soon, complete strangers were asking for them and by 1985 over 8,000 had been sold. The game reminded me of Drake's voyage, so I called it 'Privateer.' The growing cadre of fans called it something else. Their name stuck.

It occurred to me that a great game should be produced by a great manufacturer, so I contacted Parker Brothers. They weren't interested. Neither was Milton Bradley. Discouraged, I decided to leave the game business behind.

One day ten years later, I discovered my children playing it. "Dad," they said, "This is a cool game." I contacted the big game companies again, and was surprised to find both at the same address. Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley had been acquired by Hasbro and united into the most powerful game company on earth. Their answer didn't change, it jus got a lot bigger.

Pirateer was officially introduced by Mendocino Game Company in July of 1995. That year, it bested new games from Hasbro for 'Game of the Year' from the the Wisconsin State Journal. In 1996, we beat Hasbro again for 'Best New Mind Game' from American Mensa. Nearly 75,000 copies have been distributed in twelve countries and eight languages. It's like a dream come true.

Yet the most important part of this success story is you. When you buy Pirateer -- and other independently produced games -- it's a reminder to companies like Hasbro that great products aren't made by factories, they're made by customers.

Thank you for supporting free trade.

Scott Peterson

© Copyright 1999, Mendocino Game Company, Inc.
"Pirateer" is a registered trademark of Mendocino Game Company, Inc.
All rights reserved.