Ubisoft Harpoon 4 source code

Eyebiter · 10-23-09, 04:29 PM

It's been six years since Ubisoft canceled Harpoon 4. Back in late 2003 there were rumors a third party might license the H4 source code to continue development.

Was there any progress on that front? Or was the H4 source code too far gone to salvage?

Herman · 10-23-09, 04:41 PM

According to the AGSI site, H4 was canceled in 2001 and then again in 2003 and the code was returned to them.

http://www.computerharpoon.com/about...f-harpoon.html

I've heard that it was such poor quality that they decided not to pursue the matter any further with UbiSoft.

Seeadler · 10-23-09, 06:45 PM

H4 was originally developed by Ultimation Inc. the creators of SHII/DC and based on the engine of SHII/DC. Then Ubisoft has himself taken over the development and transfers the code to the later developers of SHIII in Romania.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubisoft on SimHQ

Ubi Soft: The team taking over the development of Harpoon 4 is a Ubi Soft internal studio located in Romania. They recently launched Chessmaster for the PS2 and are responsible for future development of the entire Chessmaster franchise. They have also taken on the support of the Silent Hunter franchise. A large percent of the Romanian team are hardcore simulation gamers and they were thrilled to get the Harpoon project into their group.

A little later, the project was canceled. The code is probably still legally in the hands of Ubisoft.

Sonarman · 10-24-09, 01:46 AM

Actually, I believe the game was originally being developed by Crusader studios (formerly they were known as Software Sorcery developers of Jutland/ Aegis Guardian of the Fleet / Sea Rogue/Fast Attack) then passed to Ultimation when Software Sorcery were dropped as the developer by SSI.

Interestingly James R Jones CEO of Crusader/Software Sorcery and an ex-US naval officer went on to develop the boringly titled naval game "Joint Chiefs Online" which I think promptly sank without a trace. You can still see a press release relating to that game here

GlobalExplorer · 10-24-09, 05:01 AM

I think I remember that at some point Ubisoft Romania refused to finish the code.

Sonarman · 10-24-09, 05:54 AM

Looking back ...
Found a couple of old articles relating to the game over at Combatsim including one by our own Jim Cobb...

Article 1
Article 2

Herman · 10-24-09, 06:18 AM

Ah, H4: The Game that Might have Been....

... instead, we have ANW.

Robsoie · 10-29-09, 06:10 PM

Wow, i never saw any screenshot of the Harpoon 4, but those ones in combatsim article look frankly good.

I wonder what was so "poor quality" in this game that got it cancelled.

Blacklight · 11-01-09, 09:21 PM

The closest we're going to get to what Harpoon4 was going to be is probably going to be Global Conflict Blue.

10-23-09, 04:29 PM	#1
Eyebiter Watch Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 22 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ubisoft Harpoon 4 source code It's been six years since Ubisoft canceled Harpoon 4. Back in late 2003 there were rumors a third party might license the H4 source code to continue development. Was there any progress on that front? Or was the H4 source code too far gone to salvage?

10-23-09, 04:41 PM	#2
Herman Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,187 Downloads: 273 Uploads: 1046	According to the AGSI site, H4 was canceled in 2001 and then again in 2003 and the code was returned to them. http://www.computerharpoon.com/about...f-harpoon.html I've heard that it was such poor quality that they decided not to pursue the matter any further with UbiSoft. __________________ Guidelines for ScenShare scenarios: 1) Enjoy creating it 2) Enjoy playing it 3) Enjoy sharing it 4) Enjoy helping others create them The PlayersDB - The Harpoon Community's #1 Choice. Harpoon3 Frequently Asked Questions

10-24-09, 01:46 AM	#4
Sonarman The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayr,Scotland,UK Posts: 1,392 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 0	Actually, I believe the game was originally being developed by Crusader studios (formerly they were known as Software Sorcery developers of Jutland/ Aegis Guardian of the Fleet / Sea Rogue/Fast Attack) then passed to Ultimation when Software Sorcery were dropped as the developer by SSI. Interestingly James R Jones CEO of Crusader/Software Sorcery and an ex-US naval officer went on to develop the boringly titled naval game "Joint Chiefs Online" which I think promptly sank without a trace. You can still see a press release relating to that game here __________________ "The action is simulated...the excitement is real!" Microprose Simulation Software. Last edited by Sonarman; 10-24-09 at 06:05 AM.

10-24-09, 05:01 AM	#5
GlobalExplorer Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,015 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	I think I remember that at some point Ubisoft Romania refused to finish the code. __________________

10-24-09, 05:54 AM	#6
Sonarman The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ayr,Scotland,UK Posts: 1,392 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 0	Looking back ... Found a couple of old articles relating to the game over at Combatsim including one by our own Jim Cobb... Article 1 Article 2 __________________ "The action is simulated...the excitement is real!" Microprose Simulation Software.

10-24-09, 06:18 AM	#7
Herman Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,187 Downloads: 273 Uploads: 1046	Ah, H4: The Game that Might have Been.... ... instead, we have ANW. __________________ Guidelines for ScenShare scenarios: 1) Enjoy creating it 2) Enjoy playing it 3) Enjoy sharing it 4) Enjoy helping others create them The PlayersDB - The Harpoon Community's #1 Choice. Harpoon3 Frequently Asked Questions

10-29-09, 06:10 PM	#8
Robsoie Machinist's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 130 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wow, i never saw any screenshot of the Harpoon 4, but those ones in combatsim article look frankly good. I wonder what was so "poor quality" in this game that got it cancelled.

11-01-09, 09:21 PM	#9
Blacklight Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,507 Downloads: 145 Uploads: 0	The closest we're going to get to what Harpoon4 was going to be is probably going to be Global Conflict Blue. __________________ Be my friend or be a mushroom cloud. "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes !"