From: robear@access4.digex.net (Robear)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic
Subject: Harpoon Classic - New Scenarios and Units
Date: 30 Dec 1995 18:34:35 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
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Xref: news.primenet.com comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic:136012

I haven't seen this mentioned yet, so I'll post it.

I got a flyer in the mail from a new outfit called "Advanced Scenario
Design Workshop", which is really a Mr. Hutchinson, who did the scenario
designs for Harpoon Classic and some of the H2 battlesets.  He has started
his own company to support Alliance Interactive's version of Harpoon; this
is a pretty worthwhile thing, I think, so I'll pass on the info for his new
products.

First, contact info:  Harpoon User's Group, 1910 Church St., Nashville, TN
37203.  Phone 615-322-9564 vox, 615-329-1256 BBS.  70733,123@compuserve.com
is the email address.

They offer a Harpoon cap, a quarterly newsletter (each $20 US) and a new
scenario set, "EC 2000".

EC 2000 will contain 48 new scenarios and should be out in the next month
or two.  Mr. Hutchinson did not want to give a date, insisting he would not
release until the bugs were out.  He felt there was some history of this
with Harpoon and desires to avoid it.  :-)

Anyway, the scenarios will include lots of new units.  These include: B1B
bomber, B-2, E-8 JSTAR, A-10, IL-78, U-2R, SR-71, AH-64, SU-25UTG, MH-53
variants and 4 C-130 variants.  SCUD, SCARAB, ATACMS, MLRS and Al Husan
theatre missles, Russian WIG vehicles, the T-AGOS platform, military barges
and even cruise ships will be included.

Note the emphasis on ground attack and surveillance platforms.  Mr. Hutchison
has added the capability for using ground-based SAMS, both on land and on
barges (to simulate mobile coastal defenses).  This, combined with the use
of "bases" to simulate ground unit targets, will allow much more simulation
of attacks on land-based assets.  The maps are being redesigned to add lots
of bases for scenarios.  

One ability of the new units is to allow the SAM threat to be modeled.  An
SA-8 or SA-10 site won't light up until it discovers targets, so the only way
to safely find it will be the use of recon (recce) assets.  Hence the SR-71
and the like.  JSTARS and similar strategic platforms will be primarily used
as juicy targets to protect or attack, essential to a ground campaign.  The
special-ops units can serve as pinpoint or deep assault units, helping to
destroy C3I assets or take out important defenses just before a strike.

Needless to say, I think he's added a new dimension to the game.

ASDW is looking at doing other scenario sets.  One possibility is a 1975
Cold War in Europe disk, with scenarios based on a Soviet invasion.  Another
would be a look at changing weapons systems from the mid-60's to the late
'70's through Middle Eastern and other scenarios.  A big possibility is a
disk which examines an expansion of the Vietnam war to China, Russia, and
North Korea, with F-4's as the primary aircraft for the West.

The scenario disk is $25 US.  Mr. Hutchinson really wants as much feedback
as possible on future projects, so feel free to call and order and discuss
the future.  I think this is a worthy cause.  He's done good work with 
Alliance, and the additions he's put into the new scenarios should be quite
good.  I hope this is one of those small companies like Novastar that can
add greatly to what is already a good game.

I have no connection with these folks other than an interest in the game.
Hope this is useful information.  I found it exciting.

David Pipes
.