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Glimpses of Harpoon 4

by Jim "Bismarck" Cobb

Article Type: Interview
Article Date: August 26, 2002

Product Info

Product Name: Harpoon 4
Category: Naval Combat Simulation
Developer: Ultimation
Publisher: Ubi Soft
Release Date: Q1 2003
Sys. Spec: Click Here
Files & Links: Click Here

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Through mods and open-source re-works, the Harpoon series still reigns as the supreme modern naval strategy game. The next commercial release version will be Harpoon 4 published by Ubi Soft. As with any other sequel, the developers must make decisions about how much of the old, charismatic game should be retained versus the introduction of state-of-the-art graphics and game play innovations. Gamers can be very prickly about modifying one of their paradigms.

Carl Norman, executive producer for Ubi Soft, and Shawn Storc, producer for Harpoon 4, graciously agreed to address these issues through questions from COMBATSIM.COM. For the purpose of this interview, we'll refer to both Carl and Shawn as Ubi.


James Cobb (J.C.) Other than yourself, who is working on Harpoon 4? Do any of them go back to the original Harpoon or Harpoon II?

Carl and/or Shawn (Ubi.) Of the team members, two key individuals have had a long relationship with the Harpoon line: Carl Norman is the Executive Producer for Ubi Soft and Darrel Dearing is handling a multitude of database and coding issues for Ultimation. Both of these gentlemen bear the scars [of] previous versions of Harpoon.


J.C. Harpoon I and Harpoon II took divergent tracks on graphics and interface yet both remain popular. Will H4 follow one or the other or will it chart its own course?

Ubi. Harpoon 4 includes both a 2D and 3D display. The graphics are a significant improvement over the previous versions of Harpoon. Harpoon II had a more austere display that simulated actual tactical displays. We went for a more stylized and colorful map display for Harpoon 4.

Veteran gamers will see the differences between the main screen of Harpoon 4 and its predecessors

J.C. What similarities in scale and interface between H4 and the earlier games can we expect?

Ubi. The interface has changed greatly. We have attempted to make it easier to control your units and issue orders while managing the flow of information.


J.C. Will graphics be equally emphasized as gameplay?

Ubi. While the 3D views are new to the Harpoon series, they will not usurp the core game play from the tactical overview.

Combat scenes take full advantage of modern graphics

J.C. What time period will H4 cover? Will scenarios go back to the Cold War or will it only cover current situations?

Ubi. The main campaign game is set in the time frame of late Cold War. Single scenarios are planned to cover a wider date range for variety.


J.C. What weapon platforms have been added? Will platforms now in the development stage be represented? If so, which ones?

Ubi. The database contains platforms up to the year 2000.

Weapons seem as detailed as the graphics.

J.C. How detailed will unit capabilities be represented, i.e., will flaws in present weapon systems be represented?

Ubi. The capabilities of weapons and sensors are based upon the Harpoon 4 paper rules set and from open sources within the defense industry.


J.C. What geographical areas will be covered? Will there be control over the ground side of amphibious operations?

Ubi. The campaign focuses on the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) gap. Right now, we are weighing the CD space consequences of including more/all other maps. As far as the ground side of amphibious operations are concerned, the player only controls the amount of troops put ashore. Amphibious operations are not very heavily detailed.

“By the light of the silvery moon…”

J.C. What, in your opinion, will be the two most significant advances in gameplay over H4's predecessors?

Ubi. Graphics and command & control.

That must hurt.

J.C. How much documentation can we expect? Will it be printed?

Ubi. We are planning a full user manual (electronic format) and quickstart guide (printed).


J.C. What forms of multiplayer features will be included?

Ubi. Co-op and head to head.


J.C. Will there be an editor? If so, how extensive will it be?

Ubi. Yes, we are planning on shipping the same editor being used to create all the game scenarios.


J.C. What are the system requirements?

Ubi. The min specs are currently:
  • PIII 450
  • 128 mb ram
  • 32 mb video card
  • sound card
  • DX 8.1


J.C. Would you care to predict a release date?

Ubi. Q1 03


J.C. Thank you.


From these answers and the screenshots, Harpoon 4 seems to balance the old charm with new innovations. Gamers anxiously await the finished product.



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