Operation: Weather Disaster

Did You Know?

• The game is a clone of Myst and features 360-degree screens.
• FMV cutscenes are included in the game.

Development

Discovery Channel approached a video game development company to commission a science-based game about weather. The prototype from Human Code was considered too boring. Discovery Channel allowed software director Gary Gattis to prioritize fun over education. Gattis researched weather extensively for accuracy. Over 30 minutes of 3D animation was produced. In March 1996, Discovery signed a deal for a Spanish adaptation. The game was neglected by consumers upon original release, according to Newsweek, and was re-released in a new package in 1997.

Plot

A TV weatherman, bored after reporting 267 consecutive sunny days in Arizona, devises a plan to alter the world's climate. An emergency task force called Team Xtreme is formed to restore order and stop the madman.

Critical reception

Praised for its graphics, puzzles, and the subtle way it wove learning into the story, Operation: Weather Disaster earned a nod from Robert Coffey of World Village. Matt Barton, in his work on weather simulation in games, pointed to it as a thoughtful example of the topic. Feibel highlighted how naturally education blended with play. Boys' Life noted that the interactive parts made it feel far richer than a standard encyclopedia. The Austin Chronicle said it, like Nile: Passage to Egypt, appealed to all ages by mixing facts with action. The Sydney Morning Herald called it a strong mix of gameplay and education, and later recommended it, alongside Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego 3.0, for encouraging reluctant readers through its reading elements. The Tennessean described it as a science adventure for the whole family. The Courier-Journal found it packed with exciting, intense, and intellectual challenges. Natural History, which rarely covered games, was drawn in by its promise to sharpen meteorological skills. The Washington Post found the title not difficult. It won an EMMA Award and took Gold in New Media's Invision '96 category for Best Children's Title. PC Player, however, felt a sense of adventure game fatigue, noting the game shared a similar style and gameplay with its peers.