This GEARS game takes place in an immersive 3D environment where students enrolled in the four courses have the opportunity to interact with each other and share cross-curricular information while core concepts from their course materials are being reinforced. The environment is engaging and interactive, which allows for greater retention of the materials. Each student is a "specialist" in their field or the course they are enrolled in; applying their course materials to problem solving situations. Through a series of interconnected regions (levels), the students explore, make discoveries and experience the mystery and adventure of this virtual world while learning about the culture of a small Yucatan region under the precept of providing humanitarian aid following a natural disaster. Students are constantly in a monitored chat while in-game. The in-game environment is very mentor-based with more experience gamers mentoring the less-experienced. Friendships are made and strengthened. Often students will assist each other through the more difficult areas of the game where specific game-play skills are required. With the monitored and recorded chat room, the students are unable to share curriculum materials with each other. One of the most significant features of ARC: The Impending Gale is that the students are learning not only their own course concepts, but they are also learning about the physical region and the people and culture of the region while helping the locals find solutions to their political concerns.


ARC: The Impending Gale provides an additional benefit with non-curricular games that encourage students to return to the virtual world and explore it in greater depth at their leisure.


The Municipio Peninsula de Taxtapal is a small Central American peninsula which encompasses a port city, several smaller villages and a small Mayan ruins; Las Ruinas Ixtak. While the port city is modern and prosperous, the villages are economically depressed. The region grows staple crops and specialty peppers which grow well in the volcanic soil. Alliance Oil, an America Oil company has brought some labor-intensive jobs with their off-shore drilling operation, but a recent tsunami put them out of operation when the flotilla (crew ship) was damaged. The tsunami also caused destruction in a small fishing village. The summer hurricane season is coming and the nearby volcano has shown signs of minor activity.


The Municipio Peninsula de Taxtapal is a municipality in El Estado de Yaupul, the local state. The local government is headed by Sr. Juan Alameda, the Presidente Municipio, or Mayor. For over a century since the end of the Caste War of Yucatan, the region has continued to be embroiled in a struggle between the government and the indios, or indigenous indians. The indios see the city's growing wealth as a threat to their survival as they continue to sink into greater poverty.


The peninsula's population is a mix of mestizos; those of both Spanish and Indian descent, indios and foreigners. Quality of life varies throughout. In some areas, children go to school and in other areas, the children are day-laborers on the ejidos, government owned communal farms. In general, literacy is low, but is considerably better in the city.


As a new arrival as an ARC Specialists, you must become familiar with your new surroundings and equipment at the ARC Camp. You will meet Dr. Hope Esperanza, the ARC Director. Dr. Es, as she is usually called, chose to dedicate her life to humanitarian aid after her family was involved in an earthquake-related disaster. She has been instrumental in helping to set up Sistema de Alerta Sismica (SAS) Mexico's early warning system for geological disasters. You will also meet Quartermaster Jack at the Supply Depot, who has been a humanitarian aid volunteer for many years in his native Australia. Most importantly, you will learn skills that will prepare for the missions ahead.