Yes, The Political Machine 2012 is coming

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I’ve been getting a lot of emails in recent weeks asking if Stardock is going to make a 2012 edition of The Political Machine.  The answer is: YES. 

The Political Machine is a PC strategy game where players run for President. You can play against a computer opponent (which is fun) or against a human over the Internet (which is sick fun).  This year, we’re doing things with it a bit differently. It’s going to focus just on the 2012 election (rather than throwing in historical elections and fantasy elections which tended to dilute the experience) so that we can make it available at a much lower price – $6.95 to pre-order.

While The Political Machine has always been designed to be a “game” first, its statistical model is robust enough that it’s been used in schools to help teach players about Presidential elections.

This year’s election is looking particularly exciting.  As some may recall, the game accurately predicted the results in 49 out of 50 states in 2004 (the original edition) and predicted the results in 2008 as well – months before the election in both cases.

Here’s the home page:

https://www.politicalmachine.com/

Here’s the official announcement:

https://www.stardock.com/about/newsitem.asp?id=2717

101,376 views 43 replies
Reply #1 Top

Will it be based on the WoM/FE engine? Or the old one used by GalCiv 2?

Reply #2 Top

Actually TPM 2008 used Kumquat.

Reply #3 Top

Can we play as Steven Colbert?

 

Smiles slowly over a period of 25 seconds

 

Reply #4 Top

I bought and played the 2008 version after getting it recommended to me by the then editor of Gamepolitics.com. The game was a blast to play. However, if there is one glaring weakness to be found in that game, one that I hope they rectify in this version, is the lack of third parties.

Granted, I know that running as a third party in the real world with its current political climate is a sure fire way to not get elected president, it would be nice for a fictional simulation of the race for president to allow for such a choice. In fiction, anything is possible. So why couldn't a third party win in a video game?

Reply #5 Top

Quoting Editorial_Games, reply 4
So why couldn't a third party win in a video game?
End of Editorial_Games's quote
Likely because the fictional masses which actually vote in the game just watch the TV ads from whoever slings the most money around.

 

Note: I am an Independent voter and am not party affiliated. I'll vote for whoever I think would make the best president whether it be in the main elections or in a primary.

 

As I recall, TPM 2008 was a blast. :-)

Reply #7 Top

I belong to the Robot party.

"Death to Humans"

Reply #8 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 7
I belong to the Robot party.

"Death to Humans"
End of Frogboy's quote

Works for me! :thumbsup:

Reply #9 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 7
I belong to the Robot party.

"Death to Humans"
End of Frogboy's quote

 

Good thing I'm full of that stuff called 'Awesome-Sauce' instead of that blood silly humans use! :grin:

Reply #10 Top

Hmm.

So who is going to win this year's election? :)

Reply #11 Top

Probably not the Republicans. They have no viable candidates.

 

Re: Robot Party

I am a Robosexual. Is this party for or against robotic marriage?

Reply #12 Top

Quoting seanw3, reply 11
I am a Robosexual. Is this party for or against robotic marriage?
End of seanw3's quote

Well if you're a human, I think they're going to kill you so your foolish concept of marriage has no meaning for them. :cylon:

Reply #13 Top

Then I am starting a new party. 

All join the Autocrat Party!

Reply #14 Top

Not sure about the omission of the other sorts of elections, the historical and fantasy ones. Seems like taking them out makes the game lose something, and it certainly makes the game less of a successful teaching tool. But the cheaper price point is definitely a good idea from a business standpoint. Maybe try releasing historical elections as DLC?

This also reminds me that Kumquat can apparently handle province-oriented games, what with the states. It would be cool if Stardock made a Grand Strategy game, It's not great that Paradox effectively monopolizes that market, and considering how their AI is it shouldn't be too hard for Stardock to win a slice of that pie.

Quoting Tasunke, reply 10
So who is going to win this year's election?
End of Tasunke's quote
By the polls, Obama.

Reply #15 Top

Quoting Editorial_Games, reply 4
Granted, I know that running as a third party in the real world with its current political climate is a sure fire way to not get elected president, it would be nice for a fictional simulation of the race for president to allow for such a choice. In fiction, anything is possible. So why couldn't a third party win in a video game?
End of Editorial_Games's quote
I'd like to see the independents included. They have impact. And there is strategy in the parallel running of independents, and other wildcards to weaken an opponents base. And there is potential for an independent to take the highest office. There just needs the proper impetus. Perot came close. Had he not dropped out, he would have garnered a great many votes. There is a history of third party influence. But I can imagine some difficulties with adding them to the game.

 

Perhaps 2012 is the year of the independents. In the past I've supported both parties. Just been a matter of finding who represents best. Sometimes the pickings are slim, but the field was often broad. That's changed. One party has become radicalized. The other ineffectual and scattered. The radical party solidifies its stranglehold. Entire industries are parts of its power base. The titans of these industries hold unelected seats, in high public office. Our Ag bills being written by the giants of Agriculture. Much more. Consolidation of great power. One result of which being seen in congress. One party ineffectual against the established power of its radicalized opponent. It's a new climate. With greater stakes.

People have feared an independent vote was a wasted vote. Or a vote that might help a "bad guy" win. But when one party can totally stymie the other, even while having less seats in a house... people lose confidence. "One guy or the other, whats the difference anymore!?". The party_with_power owns it. The 'party in power' grows irrelevant.  

A Third Party? 

A climate for a third party develops. A perfect storm of sorts. Seen on the streets. Heard through mainstream and social media. A diverse and varied presence across the net. There is significant population comprised of adherents from both parties, who feel disfranchised from party representation. Enough to tip the scales? I don't know, who's out there running? Frackin media whoreouts. The affected public is gonna have to do some of this. The unaffected public will split a third of the vote evenly. One half a 1/3 to each of the two parties. So what about the majority 2/3's? Will they be diluted to apathy and 2 party voting. Or will enough be affected towards change, to create a raucous rally of a viable third party alternative? Show couch sitting media babes of all stripes, that there is momentum behind an alternate. A third choice whose popularity is rising. Someone worth a look. A real candidate with growing support. Grassroots gone Wildfire. 

 

Wouldn't it be fun to duke it out in game, as an independent versus the RNC and DNC?

 

Reply #16 Top

Quoting seanw3, reply 3
Can we play as Steven Colbert?

 Smiles slowly over a period of 25 seconds

 
End of seanw3's quote
LOVE THIS!

Thankfully you can create your own characters as needed.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 16
LOVE THIS!

Thankfully you can create your own characters as needed.
End of Zubaz's quote

 

So that's a yes?  8| :) :grin:

Reply #18 Top

Is it possible to be part of the 'U.N. bloodline' trait: receive practicly limitless amounts of finance to support your party & 'their' agenda, would get bonuses to media coverage (support/coverups), helpfull *$$*$$in*tion$, union thugs with the 'blockaid voting lines' ability, would have greater access to the bigger scope of things that would help you overcome most moral decisions, & so on (anyone ever watch tha movie 'The Whistle Blower'?)

 

edit: please fell free to delete this if you see fit & please forgive me if I've said to much as I drink all day & don't know how to shut up sometimes

Reply #19 Top

Not only Colbert (although I'm not sure if he was ever officially in it), but perhaps Perry, Bachmann, Cain (sex scandals included!), Huntsman, and others?

I understand the desire to focus it on the actual happenings of 2012, but I think most of us would find it more interesting with all of the 2011/2012 candidates.

In particular, with the plethora (unironic use) of Republican candidates as opposed to the inabundance of Democrat candidates, the game would seem rather empty without the full cast.

Reply #20 Top

Quoting Sole, reply 19
Not only Colbert (although I'm not sure if he was ever officially in it), but perhaps Perry, Bachmann, Cain (sex scandals included!), Huntsman, and others?

I understand the desire to focus it on the actual happenings of 2012, but I think most of us would find it more interesting with all of the 2011/2012 candidates.

In particular, with the plethora (unironic use) of Republican candidates as opposed to the inabundance of Democrat candidates, the game would seem rather empty without the full cast.
End of Sole's quote

They're all in there.  You can even go on the Colbert Report in the game.

Reply #21 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 20

They're all in there.  You can even go on the Colbert Report in the game.
End of Frogboy's quote

Sold.

Reply #22 Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 20
They're all in there.  You can even go on the Colbert Report in the game.
End of Frogboy's quote

That would be awesome if the game showed up on an episode of The Colbert Report! I'd love to see Brad on the show. :)

Reply #24 Top

From TPM2008:

Reply #25 Top

Quoting jackswift85, reply 21

Quoting Frogboy, reply 20
They're all in there.  You can even go on the Colbert Report in the game.


Sold.
End of jackswift85's quote

(Comedy) Gold.

This sounds like a winner; thanks, Brad & co.