When was the last time “HARPOON” was played?

[HerbertTarkel]

I’m watching the Netflix show, “The Diplomat” which is, frankly, very entertaining. Actually, surprisingly entertaining.

One of the episodes made me think of the game, “Harpoon”. I have never played it. I’ve heard it is tedious in the way the 1980s were before Tetris.

But seriously? Is there something like Harpoon that is playable? A genuinely serious and maybe even terrifying simulation of all those Tom Clancy novels?

[Cory]

Last time I played was fifteen or so years ago, fan generated computer assists that work on smart phones make the game play very fast. I think the players who like that sort of thing naturally gravitated away from tabletop to computers.

[HerbertTarkel]

Last time I played was fifteen or so years ago, fan generated computer assists that work on smart phones make the game play very fast. I think the players who like that sort of thing naturally gravitated away from tabletop to computers.

Pretty much what I thought… it really did need computers, didn’t it?

[carlos marighela]

It was 'playable'. More of an open question as to whether it was particularly enjoyable. To be fair it had its moments.

I last played it probably thirty years ago. For a while we used it quite heavily. My gaming group at the time ran the Falklands campaign twice.

For small scale engagements it wasn't too bad but because it was stats intensive it overloaded quite easily, so less was definitely more. We did have some epic and honestly quite nail biting sub hunts using Harpoon and the fairly abstracted air rules got used independently once or twice to establish air superiority for land based games.

Harpoon is also a game that's quite resource intensive as you really, really, do need an umpire.

Not long after, the first decent computer games started to come out and the most naval focussed drited towards that. Modern naval combat is so intense in terms of force managment and C3/C4 that computer games are really the best option. I still have all the supplements and the rules but I doubt if it will ever get played again, For starters I would need to find a 1980s/90s era Casio Scientific calculator and those have become chic amongst hipsters.

There's a new computer game, Sea Power with a vast database, extremely cool graphics and a editable scenario engine that looks like it is about to sweep the gaming world and due out this month. I've been watching the beta testing games on You Tube. Not sure my laptop would have the necessary grunt so  it would be an expensive outlay but it sure looks like a lot of fun and really well researched. It 's not just late Cold War either the scenarios run the gamut from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Gulf.





Definitely the way to do Cold War naval warfare if you have the computing power or the dosh.

[Rick]

The big problem I found with modern naval tabletop wargames is that both sides set up, steam toward each other as fast as possible and unload everything as soon as there's a whiff of a firing solution. These games need to be scenario driven and controlled by (semi?) 'realistic' rules of engagement - the closest I've found is the Freeplay 88 supplement for the 'Shipwreck' rules. They have multiple scenarios and, given that the action occurs in busy North Sea shipping lanes, strict RoE's for both sides - well worth a look (wargames vault I think). Other than that, yes - most modern naval games need computer control/umpiring and it still has many problems.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

For what it may be worth, I played many enjoyable games of Seastrike in the 1980’s without feeling the need for either computer or calculator.

[Cat]

Had a great time playing in an umpired campaign way back when.  The umpire was ace at calculating movements and reporting engagements without a computer.  Submarine warfare at its finest!
 
Wouldn't want to try it without an ump...

[pixelgeek]

I have never played it. I’ve heard it is tedious in the way the 1980s were before Tetris.

It is an old-school naval simulation which assumes that there is an umpire as well as teams for larger games. If two or three people sit down to play it would be a nightmare. It accurately simulates naval combat in that it is tedious for quite some time and then quickly escalates into chaos.

We played it a few times in the late 80s and it was good for small encounters but there is a reason why people who liked those types of games quickly moved into computer-based simulations.

[pixelgeek]

The big problem I found with modern naval tabletop wargames is that both sides set up, steam toward each other as fast as possible and unload everything as soon as there's a whiff of a firing solution.

I suspect that this is just because people don't play with a full scale of potential threats on the table. It is also why these types of games are better with an umpire who can do things like check the disposition of subs and aircraft that aren't detected at the start of the game.

[ErikB]

I loved the video game back in college.

Given the range of sensors and weapons as well as how crowded the map is, I cannot see playing modern naval war on the table.