Matrix Games Forums

Posted: **Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:34 am**

It's been a little over 20 years since I used to sit in server chats with the guys who ended up developing this game.. Mike Myk, Ragnar, and of course D. At that time we were trying to improve Harpoon 2/3. We went through the old flame wars that mostly destroyed the Harpoon community and made myself back out for awhile. When I came back CMANO was new and I was really proud of the guys for what was really a huge step above Harpoon...I had so often pushed for actual moving land units and Ragnar and D and Mike had helped create some shortcuts in Harpoon but CMANO was miles ahead in that. Now CMO is so far ahead of CMANO.
I opened Harpoon this week...first time in years. I give it credit for throwing the team that made this game together, but it is worlds behind CMO.
CONGRATULATIONS devs on years of work here.

Posted: **Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:41 am**

Agree completely.

I started playing Harpoon when it was a set of paper rules, and using 1/1200 scale models; graduating to the computer version when it appeared.

There is absolutely no doubt that naval warfare simulation has come a long way in that time.

Congratulations devs. You have done a mighty job.

Posted: **Sat Oct 18, 2025 7:08 pm**

Same here. I've been playing Harpoon since it came out for the computer. I am actually the last person to win the Pooner (in 2012).

CMO is amazing. And it keeps getting better. Thank you.

Posted: **Sun Oct 19, 2025 12:43 pm**

Played the original Harpoon on my old Amiga 500 wow showing my age, I was an Instructor at Submarine School Groton Ct. at the time. A new dad who spent entirely too much time in the GIUK Gap instead of helping my wife with our first child.

Thank the developers of this game for continuing and expanding on the Harpoon legacy.

Posted: **Sun Oct 19, 2025 2:56 pm**

I started playing Harpoon paper rules in early 1989. I remember working through a simple starter scenario with a friend; we were not very good at it. I still have that original boxed set tucked away.

When I saw a computer version of Harpoon being advertised, I think it was in USNI Proceedings, I had to have it. Got it as a Christmas gift in 1989. I ran it on an IBM PS-2. Upgraded my rig over the years and enjoyed all versions of Harpoon that came to be.

Years past and I had to take some time away from Harpoon but, when I was ready to get back into it CMO was there. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Many thanks to all the folks who keep this going.

Posted: **Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:26 am**

I guess I am a bit younger than many of the others here; I started out with Jane's Fleet Command bought on sale for $10 in a 3-pack with USAF and 688i from Babson's with my allowance. I've been hooked on this genre ever since.

Posted: **Wed Oct 22, 2025 4:38 pm**

Harpoon was the first game for my brand-new 286. It's been a journey. Well done to everyone involved.

B

Posted: **Wed Oct 22, 2025 4:52 pm**

I still have the config.sys and autoexec.bat files I used to get my old DOS machine over the Harpoon hump.

Posted: **Wed Oct 22, 2025 5:27 pm**

Gunner,

I started in 1982(?) with the Harpoon paper rules when it first came out. I still have a pristine version of that game that I can see siting in my closet. I made contact with Larry Bond at that time, and I worked with him on various games from that point on. As time went on everyone moved on to the computer, and the paper game sort of ceased to exist.

That said, CMANO/CMO left Harpoon in the dust. Congrats to the team on a great game/simulation.

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:47 pm**

I can please ask how old are the oldest amongst us?

I am 53 and I would intuitively place myself in the 66th percentile of this group

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 3:29 pm**

Knightpawn wrote: Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:47 pm I can please ask how old are the oldest amongst us?

I am 53 and I would intuitively place myself in the 66th percentile of this group

RTFM. You can generally count the rings and tell how old someone is.

Mike

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 3:59 pm**

rvseydlitz wrote: Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:34 am It's been a little over 20 years since I used to sit in server chats with the guys who ended up developing this game.. Mike Myk, Ragnar, and of course D. At that time we were trying to improve Harpoon 2/3. We went through the old flame wars that mostly destroyed the Harpoon community and made myself back out for awhile. When I came back CMANO was new and I was really proud of the guys for what was really a huge step above Harpoon...I had so often pushed for actual moving land units and Ragnar and D and Mike had helped create some shortcuts in Harpoon but CMANO was miles ahead in that. Now CMO is so far ahead of CMANO.
I opened Harpoon this week...first time in years. I give it credit for throwing the team that made this game together, but it is worlds behind CMO.
CONGRATULATIONS devs on years of work here.

Every team after us has done an amazing job with CMO as have the community designers (like Mark). I have no worries going forward and enjoy what this has become. Development is hard, more so in a public space. I'm very proud it has spooled into careers for many and hope it only unlocks many more opportunities for others. I still hope it helps with what is likely ahead for the US and its allies. I also hope to have it when the kids are off to their adults lives, and I'm retired and can play all day.

Thank you!

Mike Myk

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 7:50 pm**

Knightpawn wrote: Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:47 pm I can please ask how old are the oldest amongst us?

I am 53 and I would intuitively place myself in the 66th percentile of this group

I'm 66. Command is one of the things (along with anime, horror movies, good scotch, etc.) keeping me busy in retirement so I don't annoy my wife too much. Probably one reason I have survived to my 33rd wedding anniversary (today).

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 8:35 pm**

I must be one of the younger ones among us. I've been part of the Command player base for almost 11 years now, though I never did play Harpoon before that (I'm 32). In terms of officially logged hours, Command is definitely my most played game, with a combined around 4,000 over both versions (CMANO and CMO)

I have tried to try out some of the older Harpoon games, but it's so low-tech and clunky by comparison that I've just not devoted the time to learn it. My 'pie in the sky' dream though is for all the old Harpoon scenario content to be rebuilt in Command, as just from the scenario descriptions I've read online and in older books, there seems to be a lot of fun content there.

Posted: **Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:45 pm**

BDukes wrote: Thu Oct 23, 2025 3:59 pm
rvseydlitz wrote: Sat Oct 18, 2025 9:34 am It's been a little over 20 years since I used to sit in server chats with the guys who ended up developing this game.. Mike Myk, Ragnar, and of course D. At that time we were trying to improve Harpoon 2/3. We went through the old flame wars that mostly destroyed the Harpoon community and made myself back out for awhile. When I came back CMANO was new and I was really proud of the guys for what was really a huge step above Harpoon...I had so often pushed for actual moving land units and Ragnar and D and Mike had helped create some shortcuts in Harpoon but CMANO was miles ahead in that. Now CMO is so far ahead of CMANO.
I opened Harpoon this week...first time in years. I give it credit for throwing the team that made this game together, but it is worlds behind CMO.
CONGRATULATIONS devs on years of work here.
Every team after us has done an amazing job with CMO as have the community designers (like Mark). I have no worries going forward and enjoy what this has become. Development is hard, more so in a public space. I'm very proud it has spooled into careers for many and hope it only unlocks many more opportunities for others. I still hope it helps with what is likely ahead for the US and its allies. I also hope to have it when the kids are off to their adults lives, and I'm retired and can play all day.

Thank you!

Mike Myk 49

Matrix Games Forums

Looking back

Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back

Re: Looking back