Origin has now taken Privateer impressively into the second generation since your departure. Well, I think that The Darkening improved a lot in graphics and technology over the original Privateer, and, of course, added the cinematic element that the Wing Commander franchise is based on now. However, I think that The Darkening lost more than it gained when compared to the original. For example, you are reduced to flying constant escort missions instead of being a merchant, the forced combat around jump points is incredibly repetitive, and the AI never puts up a good fight. The bottom line is that the game itself is a fairly mundane interlude between gorgeous cinematics.
Ares Rising takes the exact opposite approach.
As much as Wing Commander concentrates on movies, we concentrate on what happens in space, from the AI to the equipment choices to the different tactics to the multi-player missions. Everything is managed in real-time, with instructions being given through the communications system, just like they would be in real life. We designed a system for creating mission packages for the wingmen on your base, but it became very complicated very quickly, and required the player to spend a lot of time before each mission in his war room. We felt that it was far better to allow the player an interface in space flight that gave him a much better ability to respond to each situation as it arose. For example I had always thought it would be great fun to play Privateer as a Retro, but to my disappointment, it simply was never an option.