Message from Larry Bond

[CV32]

From Matrix Forums

 

"Chris Carlson and I are the original creators of Harpoon, and Don Gilman and his company AGSI is the licensed holder of the computer rights for Harpoon. Chris and I created Harpoon over twenty-five years ago, and since then have released four editions of the print game, along with many supplements. Don Gilman has worked with us on computer implementations of Harpoon for over twenty years. Darrel Dearing and Dale Hillier have contributed fifteen and five years’ of design experience respectively, including working on earlier versions of the game, and have a deep understanding of modern naval warfare.

 

The Harpoon player community is very active and for the most part eager to participate in improving the product. We are grateful to everyone who has participated with us in the past, and we encourage continued communication as we introduce each improvement. Feedback is vital to improving the Harpoon system, and user-created scenarios enrich the entire gaming community.

 

However, Harpoon is a large, complex, data intensive simulation. Unlike many other popular games, it is constrained because it has to model real-world processes. No Zurgs allowed. It is inevitable in such an ambitious project that programming bugs will occur. Gamers have a right to expect a quality product, but most are also sophisticated enough to know that bugs happen.

 

On some discussion boards, a few players have attacked AGSI and Matrix Games personally and professionally because of programming bugs. This unhelpful behavior says much more about the attacker than it does about AGSI’s quality control. Providing AGSI with complete information about any problems is the best way to correct them.

 

Others in the gaming community have made self-serving claims to speak authoritatively for the game system. The only official source of information for the Harpoon game system is Chris Carlson and myself, and we will work through Don Gilman, who is the only computer rights holder.

 

Anyone who attempts to distribute or profit from original or modified code without authorization is violating the law. We will act to protect our copyrights. Anyone who distributes Harpoon code or data without AGSI’s approval is at best wrong, or in violation of the aforementioned law.

 

We categorically denounce flame wars or negative posts concerning the quality of one version of the game over another. Chris and I founded Harpoon as a collegial enterprise, with the twin goals of enjoyment and education. We have always shared information freely, including our physical models and databases, and in return have received valuable support and information from the Harpoon community.

 

Anyone with ideas or suggestions about the game is welcome to contact AGSI or Chris or me. We do not have a monopoly on information, the laws of nature, or imagination. Even after twenty-five years, there’s still plenty of work to do, but for the community to benefit, we have to work as a team.

We work closely with Don and AGSI regarding improvements to the computer game, and feedback provided by Don and his team also influences design of the print game. We are committed to continuously improving both products.

 

We look forward to the upcoming improvements that lie ahead. Our goal is a nothing less than a totally superior product, one that everyone can enjoy. And we will achieve this goal if we all treat each other with respect and work through our disagreements in a constructive, respectful manner.

 

If you have questions or comments, please contact us, either through AGSI or Clash of Arms, our print publisher."

 

Larry Bond and Chris Carlson

January 2007"

 

***

 

Note from the HarpGamer Admin:

 

We at HarpGamer are working alongside AGSI to produce the latest and greatest version of Harpoon Classic - Harpoon Commander's Edition - and players can look forward to even more features from this stalwart version of Harpoon. As well, just as we have done with efforts like the Harpoon 3 ANW server and a dedicated subforum here at HG for Harpoon 4 paper rules, we will continue to fully support all versions of Harpoon. Lets hope that the greater community doesn't just pay lip service to this message from Larry and Chris, but rather takes it to heart.