SimRefinery (found Chevron exclusive PC management simulation game; 1993): Difference between revisions
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|status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | |status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
|datefound=05 Jun 2020 | |datefound=05 Jun 2020 | ||
|foundby= | |foundby=Anonymous | ||
}} | }} | ||
In 1992, video game developer Maxis, known most notably for ''SimCity'' and other simulator games, developed a simulator in conjunction with Chevron to be used as a training module for chemical engineers at a California oil refinery called '''''SimRefinery'''''. The game was considered lost for many years as it was relatively unsuccessful and an incomplete prototype with a limited release, causing it to be discontinued and never fully finished or implemented.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/06/a-lost-maxis-sim-game-has-been-discovered-by-an-ars-reader-uploaded-for-all/ Arstechnica article on the rediscovery of ''SimRefinery''.] Retrieved 05 Jun '20</ref> | In 1992, video game developer Maxis, known most notably for ''SimCity'' and other simulator games, developed a simulator in conjunction with Chevron to be used as a training module for chemical engineers at a California oil refinery called '''''SimRefinery'''''. The game was considered lost for many years as it was relatively unsuccessful and an incomplete prototype with a limited release, causing it to be discontinued and never fully finished or implemented.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/06/a-lost-maxis-sim-game-has-been-discovered-by-an-ars-reader-uploaded-for-all/ Arstechnica article on the rediscovery of ''SimRefinery''.] Retrieved 05 Jun '20</ref> | ||
==Discovery== | ==Discovery== | ||
On January 5th, 2020, Ars Technica reported that a user from their website had a copy of ''SimRefinery'' they had received from a friend that served as a chemical engineer at Chevron in the 1990s. The user was apparently unaware of the notoriety of ''SimRefinery'', making an account on Ars Technica in response to a previous article written by the publication on the status of the lost game.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/05/the-sprawling-must-read-history-of-maxis-former-serious-games-division/ Arstechnica article on the history of Maxis' former Business Simulations division.] Retrieved 05 Jun '20</ref> ''SimRefinery'' was converted from its original 3.5 inch "floppy" disc format into an installer package and uploaded to archive.org on June 5th, 2020 and is available for download. | On January 5th, 2020, Ars Technica reported that a user from their website had a copy of ''SimRefinery'' they had received from a friend that served as a chemical engineer at Chevron in the 1990s. The user was apparently unaware of the notoriety of ''SimRefinery'', making an account on Ars Technica in response to a previous article written by the publication on the status of the lost game.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/05/the-sprawling-must-read-history-of-maxis-former-serious-games-division/ Arstechnica article on the history of Maxis' former Business Simulations division.] Retrieved 05 Jun '20</ref> ''SimRefinery'' was converted from its original 3.5-inch "floppy" disc format into an installer package and uploaded to archive.org on June 5th, 2020 and is available for download. | ||
==Physical Description== | ==Physical Description== | ||
The original 3.5 inch disc of ''SimRefinery'' seems relatively unremarkable, with no kind of unique art, font, or other physical properties. The disc itself is a light-gray color with a plain white label on its front. The label reads "SimRefinery(TM)" in Times New Roman font near the top with a plain black Maxis logo in its bottom left corner. Given that this game was an unfinished prototype with a very narrow use, the plain look of the disc is unsurprising. | The original 3.5-inch disc of ''SimRefinery'' seems relatively unremarkable, with no kind of unique art, font, or other physical properties. The disc itself is a light-gray color with a plain white label on its front. The label reads "SimRefinery(TM)" in Times New Roman font near the top with a plain black Maxis logo in its bottom left corner. Given that this game was an unfinished prototype with a very narrow use, the plain look of the disc is unsurprising. | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
[[File:SimRefinery.jpg|thumb|center|The original ''SimRefinery'' floppy disc.]] | [[File:SimRefinery.jpg|thumb|center|The original ''SimRefinery'' floppy disc.]] | ||
== | ==See Also== | ||
*[ | *[[SimCity (found build of cancelled NES port of PC city-building simulation game; 1991)]] | ||
*[[SimCity 3000 (lost pre-release 3D version of city simulator; 1997)]] | |||
*[[SimCity 4 (lost alpha and beta builds of simulation game; 2002)]] | |||
*[[SimCopter 64 (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64DD remake of PC game; 1997-1999)]] | |||
*[[SimMars (lost build of cancelled strategy/simulation game; 2000)]] | |||
*[[The Sims 4 (unresurfaced prototypes of simulator game; 2008-2014)]] | |||
*[[SimsVille (lost build of cancelled "SimCity" and "The Sims" PC crossover game; 2000-2001)]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Found media]] | [[Category:Found media]] | ||
[[Category:Found video games]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:19, 8 April 2023
Title screen.
Status: Found
Date found: 05 Jun 2020
Found by: Anonymous
In 1992, video game developer Maxis, known most notably for SimCity and other simulator games, developed a simulator in conjunction with Chevron to be used as a training module for chemical engineers at a California oil refinery called SimRefinery. The game was considered lost for many years as it was relatively unsuccessful and an incomplete prototype with a limited release, causing it to be discontinued and never fully finished or implemented.[1]
Discovery
On January 5th, 2020, Ars Technica reported that a user from their website had a copy of SimRefinery they had received from a friend that served as a chemical engineer at Chevron in the 1990s. The user was apparently unaware of the notoriety of SimRefinery, making an account on Ars Technica in response to a previous article written by the publication on the status of the lost game.[2] SimRefinery was converted from its original 3.5-inch "floppy" disc format into an installer package and uploaded to archive.org on June 5th, 2020 and is available for download.
Physical Description
The original 3.5-inch disc of SimRefinery seems relatively unremarkable, with no kind of unique art, font, or other physical properties. The disc itself is a light-gray color with a plain white label on its front. The label reads "SimRefinery(TM)" in Times New Roman font near the top with a plain black Maxis logo in its bottom left corner. Given that this game was an unfinished prototype with a very narrow use, the plain look of the disc is unsurprising.
Gallery
See Also
- SimCity (found build of cancelled NES port of PC city-building simulation game; 1991)
- SimCity 3000 (lost pre-release 3D version of city simulator; 1997)
- SimCity 4 (lost alpha and beta builds of simulation game; 2002)
- SimCopter 64 (lost build of cancelled Nintendo 64DD remake of PC game; 1997-1999)
- SimMars (lost build of cancelled strategy/simulation game; 2000)
- The Sims 4 (unresurfaced prototypes of simulator game; 2008-2014)
- SimsVille (lost build of cancelled "SimCity" and "The Sims" PC crossover game; 2000-2001)
References
- ↑ Arstechnica article on the rediscovery of SimRefinery. Retrieved 05 Jun '20
- ↑ Arstechnica article on the history of Maxis' former Business Simulations division. Retrieved 05 Jun '20