The Political Machine

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The Political Machine
Image:The Political Machine Coverart.png
Developer(s) Stardock
Publisher(s) Ubisoft
Platform(s) PC
Release date NA 2004-08-10
Genre(s) Strategy
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Rating(s) ESRB: Teen
Media CD-ROM

The Political Machine is a strategic-political computer game from Stardock, in which the player lead a campaign to elect the President of the United States. The player accomplishes this goal by traveling from state to state and engaging in a variety of activities to either raise money or raise poll numbers.

Each game starts with the selection of a pre-created candidate or creation of a fictional candidate from one of the two major American political parties, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

Headquarters and fundraisers are possible, the effectiveness of which depends on various factors.

When enough money is accumulated the player can "invest" it in advertisements (either through newspapers, radio, or TV mediums). The effectiveness of these ads are determined by several factors. An ad supporting tax cuts will work better with Republican Texas than with Democratic Massachusetts.

A key factor in the game is the concept of "Stamina" and "Turns." In each turn (representing one week), a candidate has a set amount of stamina to engage in activities. For example, establishing or upgrading a campaign HQ costs more stamina than creating a newspaper ad.

A sequel called The Political Machine 2008 is planned, with new characters introduced, such as Barack Obama and John McCain.[1]

Contents

[edit] Candidates

[edit] Basic candidates

[edit] Democrats

Chloe Sullivan has several strong areas as a candidate, but suffers from a lack of experience.
Chloe Sullivan has several strong areas as a candidate, but suffers from a lack of experience.

[edit] Republican

[edit] Unlockable candidates

These candidates have to be defeated by a member of the opposite party in Campaign Mode in order to unlock them.

[edit] Democrat

[edit] Republican


  • George Washington (who was neither a Republican nor a Democrat, yet is in the game as a Republican)

[edit] Criticism

It is not possible to run as a third-party or independent candidate.

[edit] External links