Harpoon Classic '97 Steam?

[aviator]

Steam is apparently launching this soon. I just fail to see the point.

There already is a tremendous amount of work already laid down by the Harpgamer community and fragmenting the effort do not seem like a good idea.

[TonyE]

Thank you for pointing that out.  The first conspiracy that comes to mind is perhaps Microprose bought the Alliance Interactive rights and will re-publish HC97 as a thirst trap for the new MicroProse Sea Power?  

But I agree of course, would be much better to publish our updated HC to Steam.  I admit I've never pushed Matrix Games to do that nor even gauged their interest for whatever minor influence I might have.

[TonyE]

The connecting thread may be Interactive Magic (HC97) and Bill Stealey (Microprose and later Interactive Magic) and Microprose.  iEntertainment Network - Wikipedia

That's just me Googling, no special access or knowledge here.

[aviator]

I took a quick look at the steam forums and there was this person asking for a GOG version, obviously not familiar with the Matrix version. 

 

Lately Steam has made it abundantly clear that you do not own the games purchased on Steam, you are basically renting them at their leisure. Hence they can apparently remove the game and/or your access to it.

[mack]

Seems like a cash grab because of Sea Power. Which looks interesting but very micro heavy and limited in scenario size and UI flaws.

So it's going to be based on the pre-HULL, pre-HCE, pre-HUC 1.6 edition that came out in what, late 96 or early 97?

[TonyE]

10 hours ago, mack said:

<snip>

So it's going to be based on the pre-HULL, pre-HCE, pre-HUC 1.6 edition that came out in what, late 96 or early 97?

That's the way it looks

[mack]

This released on the weekend. It's H97 version 1.60.

[TonyE]

An item to keep in mind, if you already own Harpoon Ultimate, you have Harpoon 97 already (and a lot of other versions) via the 20th Anniversary launcher pictured below.

[timewind]

On 8/25/2025 at 7:29 AM, mack said:

This released on the weekend. It's H97 version 1.60.

They updated it quickly to 1.63D. Still, it's puzzling they did not bother to check that beforehand. My theory is today's Microprose is a very small team. They keep adding games to their portfolio and it may be hard to keep an eye on everything for them. Just a guess on my side.

I wonder why, from all versions, they have selected 97 to release after all? Why not repackage CE version, stick the latest patch from TonyE and market it as the latest, updated version, better than Matrix one etc. ?

[TonyE]

Yes, MicroProse is a small operation at present.  You also hit upon an important additional consideration, they are not as intimately knowledgeable about Computer Harpoon as many of their consumers.  The next six months or so should be informative, how they handle the growth in their catalog, communication with players about roadmap, etc. but in my dealings so far there has been positive intent and a desire to learn.