SimRefinery (found Chevron exclusive PC management simulation game; 1993)
The Game
In 1992, video game developed 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. 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 1990's. 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.[3]
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.
