Stardock's: The Political Machine

[DRoseDARs]

I bought it Friday. So far it's fun. I've never particularly enjoyed these political games, but since I liked Stardock's work with GalCiv I figured I'd try this one. Apparently they have available an "Issues" creator for $10 USD via electronic download or included on-disk for $29.99. I only saw the $19.99 version at BestBuy.

At the easier levels it's predictably simple to hand George W. Bush his ass on Election Night 2004, but at the harder levels the AI cheats by having a significant financial advantage. Your opponent will fight very nasty at Masochistic difficulty level. The default candidates are Kerry vs. Bush, but you can choose from about 2 dozen different politicians from either party or create your own. There's even already been discovered a way to modify the candidates. Simply rename the .Candidate file extention to .txt and make your alterations, then switch it back. In-game, you'll have to select a different candidate then reselect your choice.

On the PM boards people are discussing various expansion pack ideas. Expanding Election Night, incorporating weather to help/hinder campaigning, Third Parties inclusion and so on.

[Theben]

I must drink too much coffee. I swore it said, "Starbucks".

[:) Smiley]

Sounds interesting, but not $20 interesting.

[Skanky Burns]

You couldn't pay me to play this game.

[Kassiopeia]

Having "loaned" it from "an acquaintance", I lost interest after the first game I had with a self-made candidate against Condi Rice. I suppose I could try playing a Republican.

What we really need are 3rd parties in the game. You shouldn't need an expansion pack for that.

[RGBVideo]

I think there was a thread about this some months ago, where someone claimed that "Political machine" was basically same game as "Corporative machine", other game of Stardock, with slightly different graphics.

[DRoseDARs]

I saw the screenshots for that game. The resemblence is noticeable...

[General Ludd]

I haven't played the Political Machine yet, but I don't think you could say that anymore than you could saying Rollercoaster Tycoon is the same game as Transportation Tycoon.

[The diplomat]

Re: Stardock's: The Political Machine

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
At the easier levels it's predictably simple to hand George W. Bush his ass on Election Night 2004, but at the harder levels the AI cheats by having a significant financial advantage.

On normal difficulty level, I found it very easy to win as Bush. I focused on Florida, the south and the midwest. Then, I pick Arnold as Veep and do everything I can to get California, I put a HQ, tv ad, and as many operatives as possible. I actually won California, swept the South, Florida and the entire midwest, so won the election.

[General Ludd]

I just got it. It's even more democrat/republican centered than I expected.


And it doesn't even include Kucinich.

[lord of the mark]

anyone remember this?

"Mr. President
Year: 1962
Designer: Jack Cavanaugh
Publisher name: 3M
Series: Bookshelf Games
Type: Board
No. of players: 2-4
English reviews: EGP
Rules: DBAR-RULE
Comment: 2 or 4 players "


http://www.gamepile.com/3m24.html

[CapTVK]

Originally posted by VJ
I think there was a thread about this some months ago, where someone claimed that "Political machine" was basically same game as "Corporative machine", other game of Stardock, with slightly different graphics.

It is, and the "Corporate Machine" itself is based on an earlier version called "Entrepreneur". Ironically CM was simplified, apart from some code improvements, because Entrepeneur was too detailed at some points.

[mrmitchell]

I had CM. Good game. Ran very easily.

PM will probably be interesting once the price becomes acceptable.

[The Rusty Gamer]

It's out already? I didn't know that. I thought it was still in Beta stage.

[General Ludd]

The game is a snore.


Maybe if it had a more dynamic political scene and up to 5 or 7 parties running it would be more interesting.