Theme Hospital
Build and run a hospital treating comical fictional diseases.
Theme Hospital is a business simulation game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1997 for MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows PCs. Players design and operate a privately owned hospital, curing patients of fictitious comical ailments. The game is the thematic successor to Theme Park and the second installment in Bullfrog's Theme series.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Bullfrog Productions (MS-DOS, Windows), Krisalis Software (PlayStation)
- Publisher
- Electronic Arts
- Designer
- Mark Webley
- Artist
- Gary Carr
- Writer
- James Leach
- Sean Masterson
- Neil Cook
- Platforms
- MS-DOS
- Windows
- PlayStation
- Genre
- Business simulation
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The player builds an environment to attract patients with comical diseases and treats them while tending to their needs. The game has a dark sense of humour similar to Theme Park. Diseases include Bloaty Head, King Complex, and Alien DNA. Starting with an empty hospital, the player builds rooms and hires doctors, nurses, handymen, and receptionists. Staff have statistics affecting performance, and doctors can be trained. Rooms such as GP's Offices, Psychiatric rooms, Operating Theatres, and Pharmacies are built by placing a blueprint, assigning doors and windows, and adding furniture. The player can also place benches, fire extinguishers, and plants in corridors. Time is given to build before patients arrive. Patients see a GP for diagnosis or are sent to specialised diagnosis rooms; once diagnosed, they receive treatment. Some rooms must be researched. The Inflator room treats Bloaty Head and contains machines needing regular maintenance; if neglected, they explode. Doctors need specialist skills for certain rooms. Staff-only rooms include the Staff Room and Training room; patients require toilets.
Development
Theme Hospital took over two years to develop. Peter Molyneux and journalist James Leach conceived the idea while discussing Theme Park; Leach suggested a hospital. Designer Mark Webley selected Theme Hospital from a list of possible games. Webley and artist Gary Carr visited the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Frimley Park Hospital for research. Carr initially disliked the project, having left Bullfrog due to doubts about Theme Park, but returned expecting to work on Dungeon Keeper. Real diseases were replaced with fictional comedic afflictions because the team felt realism would be distasteful and hospitals were less colourful than theme parks. During a hospital visit, after being ordered out of an operation, they decided on made-up illnesses and cures. Carr considered death sad and illness unpopular, and said made-up illnesses gave creative freedom. James Leach was hired during early programming to write text and devise diseases. Molyneux was not directly involved due to his work on Dungeon Keeper.
Reception
Theme Hospital received positive reviews. Critics praised the strong gameplay, detailed graphics, comedic tone, and voice acting, but were divided on the music, repetition, artificial intelligence, and user interface. PC Gamer's Steve Owen praised the challenge and cute graphics but criticised the interface. Frederick Claude of Coming Soon Magazine complimented the highly detailed graphics and simple interface, but criticised repetitiveness and lack of multiplayer support. GameSpot's Trent Ward lauded the fantastic graphics, realistic voice acting, and humour, but found the AI flawed. Bonnie James of The Electric Playground liked the graphics and opening sequence but called the music horrible. Computer and Video Games' Alex Huhtala described graphics as large and colourful, noting humour wears off. Dawn Jepsen of Computer Gaming World praised the humour and wacky illnesses, calling the game delightful and absorbing. Jeuxvideo.com lauded the colourful graphics. Next Generation praised the humour but criticised missing multiplayer. PC Power said ailments enabled hilarious cures, and praised engrossing gameplay and cheerful graphics. Edge complimented the balance of patients and illnesses against resources. PC Zone commended the detail, awarding it PC Zone Classic. Éric Ernaux of Génération 4 called the quality remarkable for its genre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Theme Hospital?
Theme Hospital was developed by Bullfrog Productions (MS-DOS, Windows), Krisalis Software (PlayStation).
What platforms is Theme Hospital available on?
Theme Hospital was released for MS-DOS, Windows and PlayStation.
Who composed the music for Theme Hospital?
The music for Theme Hospital was composed by Russell Shaw and Adrian Moore.
More in Electronic Arts Games of the 1990s
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