General

It has been a while since I worked on an update due to life and diversions, but I have a new inspiration so a new update will be out in a few weeks at most. The big inspiration moving this forward is Larry Bond's acceptance of my offer to use SimPlot to referee a scenario at the Origins Game Fair in June. Each of the sides (USSR and NATO) will have a paper planning map made from my new SimPlot GIUK map (not yet uploaded to Harpgamer). Larry and I will then take orders from the players and run the turns in SimPlot. Players will update their paper maps accordingly and make decisions. This is a "hybrid" game idea, which blends a computer with a live convention setti…

I posted a video of a SimPlot screenshot showing the new turn replay feature. The game running in it is a re-creation of the Origins 2019 Dance of the Vampires scenario that was run by me and Larry Bond. The original turn files are not compatible with the SP2 update, so I had to run the game all over again using the original turn files as guides. The end result looks just like it happened at the convention. The Undo Turn and Undo Move buttons at the bottom right looked fine in the Win version, but as you can see they aren't right in the Mac version. I will have to fix that. They do, however, work very good. The update is nearing completion. I want to spend…

I created a simple plotter (SimPlot) program that automates the process of moving units on a simple x,y coordinate system. The objective is to get myself to play H4 paper rules more often by eliminating the problems of graph paper or Neptune's Cat attacks for tabletop games. SimPlot will track time and motion of units. It will also provide range and bearing info to other units. Units can automatically follow other units that are selected as "targets." Unit movement tracks and times can be displayed in case you want to see where you have been. How about a few screenies? I was hoping to show the unit tracks, but it looks like Photobucket may hav…

Just learned how to use SimPlot, wonderful program I was wondering if there will ever be an option to use MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) or Lat/Long (Decimal or Degrees) coordinate systems instead of the usual X and Y, I personally run cross domain Kriegspiel campaigns so either system (But especially MGRS! Is critical for successful integration with ground. That and a world map would be lovely! I recognize that you could in theory already do Lat/Long Decimal Degrees by using X and Y and just syncing up reference points somewhere, but to me MGRS is a lot more useful.

I have discovered that the in-map text (place names, etc.) tends to look good even when displayed at different zoom levels, except for any text that is within the background area (the black area if you are using default colors). I think this may be because I am using a transparent background (so that users can select whatever color they want). I think the text I add to the maps looks better when drawn on a colored area. This might be due to anti-aliasing. I do have some (not published) maps with a black background instead of transparent that make the text look good all over. The caveat is the background color cannot be changed from within SimPlot. I would like to…

Hi there, I just joined this community. I have played Harpoon since early '80s, starting with Version 1 and running the Resolution 502 campaign when the supplement came out. I have not been playing for many years and with lockdown I resumed and started a remote play campaign again, which is now halfway. In order to handle the campaign I built a series of scripts to handle movement, radar and sonar searches, aircraft launch and land, using a simplified ruleset. You may have a look at the attached image. Now I see this fantastic new edition of Harpoon V and the SimPlot tool, which is vastly superior respect to my homegrown Python scr…

Kevin, this is a request, Can be added a 1 sec time advance, I know it is not necessary but I've been thinking about it, and the accuracy and possibilities it brings to the program. Thank You. Will we see an updated Simplot when H5 is released?

I was wondering if there's any plans to update simplot since I have been using it a lot recently and there's some quality of life that I'd like added. Specifically, A way to put an aircraft into a loitering state without waypointing the same circle 20 times as well as a way to give orders to a bunch of selected units instead of one unit at a time.

I uploaded a new version of the User Guide. I finally filled in the missing procedures, and made corrections to obsolete information. This guide is compatible with the current version of SimPlot 2.0. It is still somewhat incomplete, but the section on creating and modifying units is complete. That is the area I get the most questions for, anyway. The file is available in the Downloads section.

Work on upgrading SimPlot Viewer has been delayed but I am expecting to resume work on it shortly. Here is a list of things I will do: Fix range circle problems that may not have been visible to players, such as having multiple circles of the same radius even for different units. Creating a new circle like that would sometimes be rejected. I will add a "Visible" checkbox to the range circle form so a player can create range circles but have the option to turn them off until that specific circle is needed (instead of deleting and re-creating it later). As an option, I may also create range circle categories such as radar, sonar, air weapons, surface weapons, and subsur…

So looking at making some maps for some scenarios to do. Curious how you go about that (making sure it's the right scale etc)?

Just received sitrep 31 and Naval Review 2003. I already own Naval Review 2009 Looking over the new air rules, gonna try them this weekend. Just looking them over quickly, I may use parts of both. I like the randomness of disengaging from a dogfight. Also, I am not sure if it is appropriate to use pilot quality for air to air missile combat. Definately for guns. Seems much less complicated to end a dogfight. I am guessing that the dogfight is no longer "sticky".

Issue #37 arrived today. Just in time to rebuild some more harpoon interest prior to the upcoming MBX. Includes gaming the Iranian air defense. It vaguely reminds me of my attempt to tweak the Kola flow chart a number of years ago, but obviously greater thought, effort and research went into this. Wished for an update on Harpoon and how it is developing in line with the Trilogy harmonization process.

Just got this today. I see Mr. Epps has some pictures in there.

Does anyone know when this is due to be released?

I'm looking toward employing my MEKO-140 and Halcon Corvetter/Large Parol Craft minis. Internet searches have not been very fruitful. I did find that the MEKO 140 is/was in use with the Argentinian Navy as the Espora Class an I have sufficient info on that. The Halcon is a different story. I have found that they were built by Spain for Mexico, and perhaps Argentina. What I have found on the Mexican Halcos is that the are armed with 40mm gun(s) and perhaps have the ability to launch a Bo-105 helo. Any additional information on the Halcon would be appreciated as they may make an appearance in a hypothetical scenario I'm brewing up. Thanks

Is it feasible to run a scenario solo, knowing where all the units are located and their strengths? Or is it kind of like trying to play chess against yourself where you have to try and forget what strategy you were using against the other side. Are there any good scenarios specifically set up for soloing or are they all slanted towards playing an opponent? Steve

Read the rulebook and was trying to work through the Jumpstart: Guardian scenario as an attempt to learn with some guidance, when I realized that a lot of the examples in the scenario are out of date of the current errata, so I have some questions. The rulebook only mentioned the evaporative duct as being usable by ships, and yet the scenario has a helicopter using the duct to extend its radar horizon. Can aircraft use the duct? If so, where is that rule located? I think I figured this out by going through errata documents, but can someone confirm that the sensor type modifier for RF FC solutions no longer exists? As I understand it, instead of a modifier, n…

Where you put the frequencies VLF-HF and VLF-MF in the table on the Base Classification Probality (4-11) ?

Ah, it feels good to be back. I have a Klasse 122, with its MF hull-mounted DSQS-21B sonar and its Lynx Mk88 helo with its HF AQS-18 Dipping Sonar. Due to their respective MF and HF frequencies, while they can potentionally detect a Quiet Project 877 Kilo SS, neither would be unable to classify the target. So is going active the only way to classify a detected target with this types of sonar kits? Is active classification complete, i.e. No equivalent 4.4.8 for active sonar? Does a hull sonar only search one depth level. Would a dipping sonar be any different? I would think it would be at least close to omnidirectional. Thanks