[JClark]

Cross-posted from the Matrix Forums, as requested by Don Gilman:



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



Larry, Chris, and Don have my total cooperation in this matter. I will
support this 100%. If you have something to say, make it positive. Send me a
flame, it will go in the round file with no explanation. If you have a
question, please feel free to post it.



People, this is about keeping the game we've played for a long, long time
ALIVE. If you want it dead, then keep bitching about it. If you want it dead
then keep building an "empire" for yourself on the back of the game. You
empire builders" know who you are. I got one message for you: Shut the hell
up, and let the people who are working to keep this game alive work. Just
remember, if you kill this game with your BS, you won't have an empire. For
the rest of you, thank you! And keep on working. We've kept a game alive
that should have died so many times it isn't funny. I intend to keep it
around a good while longer with YOUR help.



Byron Audler,

Moderator, HULL