The Political Machine 2008 is coming

You can also join the beta

from GalCiv2 Forums

Stardock is pleased to announce The Political Machine 2008. Developed by the same team (literally) that made Galactic Civilizations II, The Political Machine 2008 puts the player in the role of campaign manager for a Presidential Candidate.

Players choose a candidate they want to run for President or can design their own from scratch. They then pick a scenario (current day USA, future world, Civil War USA, Drengi, or other scenarios) and then begin their quest to be elected President.

Candidates have many tools at their disposal including smear merchants, spin doctors, intimidators, and more all while attempting to raise money, appear on TV, take out advertisements, and more.

The candidate creation system allows players to design how their candidates look completely. For added realism, all candidates are bobble-heads.

Players can pre-order can join the upcoming public beta. The final game will be $19.95 and available at most retail outlets.

For GalCiv Players: The Political Machine makes use of the all-new 3D engine being developed for Stardock's forthcoming fantasy strategy game. It's a 3D engine that supports advanced lighting, advanced bump mapping, but also runs on low end laptops.

Visit: www.politicalmachine.com

Screenshots:

PM2008_Mar19_Screen8 PM2008_Mar19_Interview

About Stardock:

Stardock is a leading PC game developer and publisher. Its last two PC games, Sins of a Solar Empire and Galactic Civilizations were both critical and commercial successes.  It is also the world's leading desktop enhancement software developer with such products as Object Desktop, WindowBlinds, MyColors and much more. Its home page is www.stardock.com.

26,993 views 30 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
bump m? I think you got cut off, there. Anyway, looks interesting. I didn't play the 2004 model, how's this one different?
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Can you create fictional scenarios like Hillary Clinton running around Bosnia while under sniper fire?
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
For added realism, all candidates are bobble-heads.
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Lol. Love it.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Will us non US people find the game easy enough as not all of us understand the american way of elections?
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I could have sworn I read somewhere else that this version was going to be a $40 game and not a $20. Brad made the comment that people kept criticizing the old version because it was missing features, but didn't take the game's cost into account. I'd wager it got scaled back due to Sins and other projects still on tap (Gal Civ 2 and upcoming stuff).

I wonder how well received this one will be. It seems like Political Machine is a vehicle for Stardock to advertise their other games/services moreso. Almost, ironically, a political machine of it's own. (cue dramatic music)
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
PS I also have tokens left from my Totalgaming.net membership can i pre-order with these please?
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Will us non US people find the game easy enough as not all of us understand the american way of elections?
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If you can understand the concept behind advertising, you'll figure it out. ;)

That's a good question, though. Hopefully there will be a little primer in there on how to play the game for those unfamiliar with the political process. I would say most Americans probably fit into that category, but given the level of coverage this race has had that might not be as true now.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stephen Colbert for president~!
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
They then pick a scenario (current day USA, future world, Civil War USA, Drengi, or other scenarios)
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Drengi?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

One thing to remember is that, above all else, Political Machine is a strategy game, not a political simulator (though it did seem to predict the winner in 2004, which was cool).

Provided we do a better job of teaching players how to play (something the first one got lambasted for) PM2008 should be an enjoyable game for anyone that plays it...and Multiplayer to boot!

sethpenguin: To increse replayabilty, we'll be including a wide variety of scenerios that people should find fun even outside the political season...running for 'Drengi Grand Chancellor' being one such challenge, mostly with the touchy issue of 'Slave Pit Reformormation'  on voters minds :)

Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Boogie, TGN pre-order?
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Drengin: Once it's available I dont see why not :)  It'll probably be around 2 tolkens.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Can you create fictional scenarios like Hillary Clinton running around Bosnia while under sniper fire?
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QFT
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Drengin: Once it's available I dont see why not   It'll probably be around 2 tolkens.
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Thanks. I had suspected as much but its always good to know :)
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
(current day USA, future world, Civil War USA, Drengi, or other scenarios)
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DRENGI?! Sweet. I'll bet Lord Kona will get some competition for being Emperor!
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As long as it doesn't cancel Rush Limbaugh while I'm playing it . . .

I dunno, I tend to over analyze and be overly critical of stuff like this.
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Can you create fictional scenarios like Hillary Clinton running around Bosnia while under sniper fire?
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*clap clap* Well played, sir.
Reply #18 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I really don't feel like purchasing or playing a political game (I LOATHE politics!), but I once made a promise to myself that I will purchase each official game that Stardock will ever publish to show my support.

So I'll be purchasing it on the beginning of next month, then. Who knows? Maybe I'll even enjoy it a bit.

Anyway, love you guys! Keep up the great work!
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The second screenshot alone makes this game worth it.

I wonder if Drengi has an equivalent? That would be a interesting comedian...
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It sounds like it's going to be a fun game. Looking forward
to its release.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Drengi.

DRENGI.

...that is AWESOME and you guys deserve a medal.
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Drengin: Once it's available I dont see why not It'll probably be around 2 tolkens.
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Ah great. I just had 2 tokens left which I didn't knew to use for what.

So I guess I'll buy it. Not for the USA elections stuff, but because Lord Kona needs a serious competitor which promises more wars, more efficient slave pits and universal tyranny for all!
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Looks interesting. Pre-ordered.

Can't wait to play it while under sniper fire from rabid ministers during the 100 Year long Middle East War.
Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
TGN pre-orders now available for use so have pre-ordered it now :D

Looking forward to the betas!